Empty Suitcase (I) (Lomo) (Photo credit: roeyahram)
As I try to think of anything I can possibly do to avoid packing, I find myself here; sitting cross-legged in my comfortable chair with my notebook and pen poised and ready. I might as well jot down my thoughts.
I get loopy in the 24 hours before I travel. Call it travel anxiety I guess, although I’m not afraid to fly. My mind just will not focus and I flit around from task to task getting very little accomplished. I know that I will go to bed tonight with nothing done except perhaps some jeans thrown in the suitcase, or that book I must have on the plane stuffed into my purse.
In the morning, I will calculate and re-calculate how many more hours until I have to leave for the airport and when the count is down to around two, I will go into beast mode and get everything done with time to spare. I have always done this. The length of the trip, where I am going or who I am going with doesn’t seem to matter.
Since I am not a procrastinator normally, this odd behavior on my part puzzles me. The only explanation I can come up with is that somewhere deep down inside, maybe I wonder if I will really end up going so I wait until the last minute. That doesn’t feel like the answer, but what else could it be?
My family doesn’t understand me and I have one aunt in particular who starts preparing for a trip sometimes weeks in advance.
If you have any ideas, please feel free to share. Why would a normally focused, planner-type individual put themselves through this?
Excuse me, while I go do anything but prepare for my journey.
Long walks and dark chocolate 
I don’t know, but that’s funny. Welcome to my world!!! I AM a procrastinator, but in this case I think I do it because I hate to pack everything so neatly and organized and then realize I need something at the bottom of the items…. and have to unpack everything to get to it. And then start over with the packing chore. Enjoy your trip! Safe travels.
Thank you and yes, that would make sense too 🙂
This happens to me too, but only those times that I really don’t want to go. Could it be that you have subconscious anxieties about your destination?
No, I don’t think so…this always happens; I’m very excited to go to see my daughter’s new place – I am happy to report that I am finally packed and ready 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Guilty as charged on the packing weeks in advance! It’s an organizational thing with me to make sure I take everything that I need without forgetting something and going as light as possible but having the bases covered especially if I am going to be out of the country. I try to pack according to the activities and the weather where I am going. Now on the flip side, all three of our sons do the last minute throw it in and go. Sounds to me like you are just “normal” so I wouldn’t sweat it! You have survived all these years doing it that way; so keep rolling with how the shoe fits. Most important is to make memories on your trip–much love to you and the rest of the family!! AT