I love traveling. I hate packing.
To me, a plane flight is like a bubble bath at 30,000 feet. No phone calls, no doorbells, no chores staring you in the face. Just peace and quiet in a semi-reclining seat. Time to daydream, read my books on the iPad, or make iPhone photo art out of the aerial landscapes below.
Packing, on the other hand, sucks. I try to take as little as possible but there are certain necessary maintenance items like vitamins, supplements, prescriptions. Emollients, lotions, and yes, sex butter.
The worst part is the decision making. What to wear? What is really necessary and what will I wish fervently that I had remembered. Oh and remembering! That’s huge. I have to start at least a few days ahead of time in order to have time to remember all the things I’d have forgotten. Gone are the days of packing the night (or hour) before.
So I dither and fret and obsess. And whine and complain and make multiple trips to the store or pharmacy. And every time I end up asking myself why it’s so hard? Is it just the post menopausal me? This is the herculean task I must accomplish every time to get to that bubble bath and the joyful journey waiting like a fluffy, warm towel at the end of the flight?
I might be the only one who feels this way, but in case I am not, here’s a new business I’m proposing. How about a service where you email ahead your sizes and styles needed in clothing plus any special needs like certain toiletries, travel hair dryer and/or curling iron, even a tripod for your camera.
When you arrive at the airport, voila. A packed to order suitcase which you use and turn in as you leave. And hey, no luggage fees. Which have gotten pretty steep and could help finance your Rent A Travel Wardrobe.
Seriously, while I cannot and will not start another business, I am soooooooooo available to consult on this idea. Gratis. Because I believe this is an enterprise that is long overdue. Hey, maybe we could even get the airlines to chip in with a lower ticket price if we promise to bring no bags.
Or maybe my Menopause Brain is just working overtime on non-essential thoughts and ideas. Then again………….
Oh, yeah! I’d love it! 🙂
Yeah, Judy. I’m thinking ex officio type pants that can turn into shorts, tank tops, layers, broomstick skirts. Flip flops, chacos or nice sandals, and a pair of tennies. Done. (and yes, that is mostly what I just packed.)
you are good! For a really great giggle on the entrepreneurial spirit, I highly recommend you rent and watch “Night Shift” again. It is the funniest Michael Keaton movie of all time (“note to self: tuna + mayo premixed in can”) I also had a great business idea about a week ago, during one of my caregiver burnout sessions. I had one of my docs in tears (of laughter): “euthapatch”: a self euthanasia patch w/ a wonkin big dose of fentanyl, to slap on when you’ve really had enough of life. We even had a slogan and a theme song: danged if I can recall those! But I bet big pharma has already thought of this.
OMG girl, euthapatch? I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants! And night shift just got added to my Netflix queue.
Love it! The problem is, we would all use the service – and then STILL pack a bag. Because that is how we are. We are nuts about “what if” ing ourselves into just one more item that really needs to go with us. Am I right?!?
Sadly, I fear you might be right. Idea for another service: deprogramming us so we don’t pack another bag!
What a phenom of an idea! I thought about a pre-packing service, but to actually have the perfect bag waiting for you when you get there? Genius. Now; how do I fill out the form with the custom-bag contents? Oh, geez, it’ll take days and I’ll have to make a list so I don’t forget to list anything…
I think the best part will be the leaving-it-behind when you come home.