Am I being ridiculous?

mrscaty · August 2014

Wedding is 6 weeks away (eek!). I am already prepping for the HM. We are going to WDW so I am trying to figure out what I want to wear. My mom (knowing how OCD I am) bought me a What to Wear Memo Pad where you can fill in all your outfit details (clicky). I made one up for every day we'll be away (plus a few extra) and filled in all the info. This way, on the day of I can shuffle through the stack of outfit cards and know what top goes with what bottom. I figure it will also help me know what to pack without over packing.

So what do you think - ridiculous or no? How do you guys plan and pack for vacations?

missdelilah · August 2014

I think it's a great idea! I always overpack, and end up with a ton of stuff I don't wear, or only wearing something once, even if I'm away for a month. I'll definitely be buying some of those note pads. Thanks for sharing.

lyndausvi · August 2014

I throw stuff in a bag and figure out what to wear when I get there. Mostly mix and match stuff. I'm going away for 5 days in 2 weeks. I have a wedding and a RD to attend. I've already picked out those outfits. I will more than likely wear jeans on the plane and will throw in some tops to match. At least one of the tops will go with the pants from the RD so those could be worn twice------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Except for a special event (i.e. wedding) I make sure I have clothes that can be worn more than once. Tops and pants always have more than one option they can go with. I don't care if people (even people I know) see me in the same tops or bottoms twice during my stay.

LadyMillil · August 2014

I try to pack a lot of neutrals and basics with some fun scarves so I can easily mix and match to make a lot of outfits with a few pieces of clothing. If I have time I lay out each outfit and take a picture with my phone for easy reference when travelling.

mrscaty · August 2014

LadyMillil said:

I try to pack a lot of neutrals and basics with some fun scarves so I can easily mix and match to make a lot of outfits with a few pieces of clothing. If I have time I lay out each outfit and take a picture with my phone for easy reference when travelling.

What a great idea! I may be (read: definitely will be) stealing that.

lc07 · August 2014

I pack (also known as throw-shit-in-a-bag-and-sit-on-it-to-zip-it) approximately 30 minutes before I have to be out the door to catch my plane.

Depending on the type of trip, I do try to keep things simple like bring things with gold accents only instead of gold shoes, gold purse, silver shoes, silver purse, gold jewelry, silver jewelry etc. Same with black/brown. Although sometimes I do mix black/brown.

CMGragain · August 2014

ladygoldfish said:

Wedding is 6 weeks away (eek!). I am already prepping for the HM. We are going to WDW so I am trying to figure out what I want to wear. My mom (knowing how OCD I am) bought me a What to Wear Memo Pad where you can fill in all your outfit details (clicky). I made one up for every day we'll be away (plus a few extra) and filled in all the info. This way, on the day of I can shuffle through the stack of outfit cards and know what top goes with what bottom. I figure it will also help me know what to pack without over packing.

So what do you think - ridiculous or no? How do you guys plan and pack for vacations?

The highlighted words are offensive. OCD is a genuine disability that affects many peoples lives. You wouldn't use "retarded" to describe absent mindedness, would you? Banish that phrase from your vocabulary unless you are discussing a person who actually suffers from this, You disappoint me.

ohannabelle · August 2014

lc07 said:

I pack (also known as throw-shit-in-a-bag-and-sit-on-it-to-zip-it) approximately 30 minutes before I have to be out the door to catch my plane.

Depending on the type of trip, I do try to keep things simple like bring things with gold accents only instead of gold shoes, gold purse, silver shoes, silver purse, gold jewelry, silver jewelry etc. Same with black/brown. Although sometimes I do mix black/brown.

I do this. Spent several years working for airlines, so learned to pack only what fits in my carry on. (Flying standby, sometimes your checked bag gets on the plane, and you don't.) Every piece I bring has to work with every other piece.

Honestly, yes, I think it's a little ridiculous. And I'm not being unkind, truly. The whole card thing baffles me. Those are your clothes. Why on earth would you need a card to tell you what goes with what? You can see what goes just by looking.

mrscaty · August 2014

ohannabelle said:
Honestly, yes, I think it's a little ridiculous. And I'm not being unkind, truly. The whole card thing baffles me. Those are your clothes. Why on earth would you need a card to tell you what goes with what? You can see what goes just by looking.

I know you aren't being unkind, and I'm not offended. Even I recognize that what I'm doing isn't logical. I do know what of my clothes go together.

@CMGragain - this is why I used the OCD comparison:

Usually when I have a trip, I start planning what I need to pack at least 6 weeks out. I will scour the internet for multiple packing lists, then cross check them to make sure I really know what I need. I make a detailed excel spreadsheet of everything, then break it up by type of item and whether or not I have it already. I will do extensive outfit planning, using the memo pads, scrap paper, whatever, to make sure I have enough of everything, then add one more for good measure. About 2 weeks out, I will start to pack. Everything will go in neat piles. I will check these piles every day to make sure I have what I need. Every. Single. Day. The day before I leave, I will pack it all in the suitcase, literally check off every item on my spreadsheet, and make a list of things I wasn't able to pack (toothbrush, hair dryer, etc.) and leave it on top of the suitcase. The next day I will walk around my house, looking in every corner, to make sure there isn't something I've forgotten. I will pack up the last of my items, checking that all my other items are still there, and check my spreadsheet one final time. Only then can I leave with peace of mind.

If I don't do just one thing above paragraph, I don't sleep, I'm anxious, I can't focus, and I feel like the trip is going to fall apart. I understand that people go through what I go through when I'm getting ready to travel every day (luckily for me I don't travel every day) but I don't know another way to describe what I do and how I feel other than to use the term obsessive compulsive.

CMGragain · August 2014

Unless you have actually been diagnosed as having OCD, it is very offensive for you to use it to describe yourself. You need to learn more about it. For shame!

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23035

AddieCake · August 2014

I think it seems over the top, complicated, and unnecessary.

ETA: And while OP may not have been diagnosed by a pro with OCD, what she described in her follow up sounds OCD to me. I think it's ridiculous to harp on her about it. JFC sometimes people can't say a damned thing around here without people zeroing in on it and picking apart phrases, expressions, terminology, etc.

larrygaga · August 2014

AddieCake said:

I think it seems over the top, complicated, and unnecessary.

ETA: And while OP may not have been diagnosed by a pro with OCD, what she described in her follow up sounds OCD to me. I think it's ridiculous to harp on her about it. JFC sometimes people can't say a damned thing around here without people zeroing in on it and picking apart phrases, expressions, terminology, etc.

Excuse me please don't talk about harps like that. They are gorgeous instruments and what you just said is rather offensive to all musicians everywhere.

larrygaga · August 2014

I am a very colorful person, so I really can't wear color without looking like a clown. So I throw all my favorite tops and pants into my bag, with my favorite shoes and scarves and whatever, and I can make a random outfit work because everything always matches. It's pretty awesome. I always pack wayyyyy too much, but the few times I forced myself to pack little I end up hating everything I packed.

We took the amtrack once, and that was the only time I actually coordinated and wore all my clothes, because we had limited baggage space.

buttercup1958 · August 2014

Yeah it sounds a bit over the top but I understand! I usually look at the weather for where I'm going and then start coordinating all my outfits a couple days in advance. What I take is a majority of jeans and blouses. Then I may bring a couple of tee shirts if we are going hiking or something. Lastly I may bring a couple shorts or dresses. I usually just pick one neutral shoe that goes with all my outfits and necklaces/earrings/bracelet/watch ect that do the same.

CMGragain You really need to get over yourself.

wandajune6 · August 2014

I travel a lot for work so I worry more about phone chargers and comfortable airport clothes than anything else.

I usually stick to solid colors, pieces that can be reworn, and a few bright accessories to jazz it all up.

Also, be careful not to pack just for cuteness - after a few days, you want to be comfy.

My one silly thing: I never sleep naked in a hotel and ways have comfy shoes ready to go. I've been through so many fire evacuations at hotels over the years that I get a bit paranoid.

ohannabelle · August 2014

ladygoldfish said:

ohannabelle said:
Honestly, yes, I think it's a little ridiculous. And I'm not being unkind, truly. The whole card thing baffles me. Those are your clothes. Why on earth would you need a card to tell you what goes with what? You can see what goes just by looking.

I know you aren't being unkind, and I'm not offended. Even I recognize that what I'm doing isn't logical. I do know what of my clothes go together.

@CMGragain - this is why I used the OCD comparison:

Usually when I have a trip, I start planning what I need to pack at least 6 weeks out. I will scour the internet for multiple packing lists, then cross check them to make sure I really know what I need. I make a detailed excel spreadsheet of everything, then break it up by type of item and whether or not I have it already. I will do extensive outfit planning, using the memo pads, scrap paper, whatever, to make sure I have enough of everything, then add one more for good measure. About 2 weeks out, I will start to pack. Everything will go in neat piles. I will check these piles every day to make sure I have what I need. Every. Single. Day. The day before I leave, I will pack it all in the suitcase, literally check off every item on my spreadsheet, and make a list of things I wasn't able to pack (toothbrush, hair dryer, etc.) and leave it on top of the suitcase. The next day I will walk around my house, looking in every corner, to make sure there isn't something I've forgotten. I will pack up the last of my items, checking that all my other items are still there, and check my spreadsheet one final time. Only then can I leave with peace of mind.

If I don't do just one thing above paragraph, I don't sleep, I'm anxious, I can't focus, and I feel like the trip is going to fall apart. I understand that people go through what I go through when I'm getting ready to travel every day (luckily for me I don't travel every day) but I don't know another way to describe what I do and how I feel other than to use the term obsessive compulsive.

Aha!

Apologies. I thought you were just using the term OCD casually, but yes, this is very OCD thinking, diagnosed or not, and that kind of anxiety is no fun.

Then yes, do your spreadsheets and list, but try to remember that it doesn't matter. Even if you forget something, you can get something else to replace it, or wear something else that day.

For day of travel, on the plane, dress in layers- cute camisole or tank under another shirt, a sweater or jacket, pants should be medium weight, neither too heavy or too light. (Why so many people wear khakis traveling.) wear your walking shoes, and throw a cute pair of flat sandals and scarf and some jewelry in your carry on, along with any and all toiletries and meds you'd need if your checked bag was delayed.

That way, even if your bag is delayed (fewer than 1 in 1000 bags, but you'll feel prepared) you have things that are appropriate to any weather, and can be dressed up with the cute sandals and jewelry.

And see someone for the anxiety! No point in needless stressing. You'd be surprised how just a few behavior/ thinking techniques can change how you feel.

Above all, have fun.

lyndausvi · August 2014

Yeah, That is a little over the top. I'm leaving in 10 days and I just bought the RD outfit on Friday. I don't even have special clothes for vacations that I could pack 2 weeks out. Or the space to for neat piles. Piles of clothes sitting around for 2 weeks would annoy that shit out of me.

I also often travel in less than 4 weeks. I have a travel bag that has toiletries, extra chargers.

I will admit that I lived in the islands for years. So my trips back home were often nearly empty bags with underwear, chargers and toiletries. I would go shopping in tax free DE. My outfits were determined as I bought clothes.

I'm also not much of a planner. I can't even imagine picking out an for a casual day 6 weeks out. An special event, sure. What I'm going to wear going shopping one afternoon in 6 weeks? Not so much.

mrscaty · August 2014

@CMGragain I think we will need to agree to disagree. I thought that the sticking point of this post would be that I addressed you all as guys...hmm.

ohannabelle said:
Aha!
Apologies. I thought you were just using the term OCD casually, but yes, this is very OCD thinking, diagnosed or not, and that kind of anxiety is no fun.
Then yes, do your spreadsheets and list, but try to remember that it doesn't matter. Even if you forget something, you can get something else to replace it, or wear something else that day.
For day of travel, on the plane, dress in layers- cute camisole or tank under another shirt, a sweater or jacket, pants should be medium weight, neither too heavy or too light. (Why so many people wear khakis traveling.) wear your walking shoes, and throw a cute pair of flat sandals and scarf and some jewelry in your carry on, along with any and all toiletries and meds you'd need if your checked bag was delayed.
That way, even if your bag is delayed (fewer than 1 in 1000 bags, but you'll feel prepared) you have things that are appropriate to any weather, and can be dressed up with the cute sandals and jewelry.

And see someone for the anxiety! No point in needless stressing. You'd be surprised how just a few behavior/ thinking techniques can change how you feel.
Above all, have fun.

Definitely good ideas - thanks!

lyndausvi said:

Yeah, That is a little over the top. I'm leaving in 10 days and I just bought the RD outfit on Friday. I don't even have special clothes for vacations that I could pack 2 weeks out. Or the space to for neat piles. Piles of clothes sitting around for 2 weeks would annoy that shit out of me.

I also often travel in less than 4 weeks. I have a travel bag that has toiletries, extra chargers.

I will admit that I lived in the islands for years. So my trips back home were often nearly empty bags with underwear, chargers and toiletries. I would go shopping in tax free DE. My outfits were determined as I bought clothes.

I'm also not much of a planner. I can't even imagine picking out an for a casual day 6 weeks out. An special event, sure. What I'm going to wear going shipping one afternoon in 6 weeks? Not so much.

Oh my gosh, I wish I could do this without giving myself a panic attack!

lyndausvi · August 2014

Must haves:

Passport/id

underwear

extra top/bottoms

wallets/credit card

toiletry bag (which includes extra contacts)

Seriously, those are my must haves. Anything I'm missing I can buy.

ETA - I have a large-ish size neutral pashmina in my carry-on also. Never know when you need a wrap to use as a blanket on the plane or to cover you up at a restaurant if it's chilly.

hellosweetie1015 · August 2014

ladygoldfish said:

@CMGragain - this is why I used the OCD comparison:

Usually when I have a trip, I start planning what I need to pack at least 6 weeks out. I will scour the internet for multiple packing lists, then cross check them to make sure I really know what I need. I make a detailed excel spreadsheet of everything, then break it up by type of item and whether or not I have it already. I will do extensive outfit planning, using the memo pads, scrap paper, whatever, to make sure I have enough of everything, then add one more for good measure. About 2 weeks out, I will start to pack. Everything will go in neat piles. I will check these piles every day to make sure I have what I need. Every. Single. Day. The day before I leave, I will pack it all in the suitcase, literally check off every item on my spreadsheet, and make a list of things I wasn't able to pack (toothbrush, hair dryer, etc.) and leave it on top of the suitcase. The next day I will walk around my house, looking in every corner, to make sure there isn't something I've forgotten. I will pack up the last of my items, checking that all my other items are still there, and check my spreadsheet one final time. Only then can I leave with peace of mind.

If I don't do just one thing above paragraph, I don't sleep, I'm anxious, I can't focus, and I feel like the trip is going to fall apart. I understand that people go through what I go through when I'm getting ready to travel every day (luckily for me I don't travel every day) but I don't know another way to describe what I do and how I feel other than to use the term obsessive compulsive.

CMGragain said:

Unless you have actually been diagnosed as having OCD, it is very offensive for you to use it to describe yourself. You need to learn more about it. For shame!

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23035

I would say that her packing anxiety is, in fact, CLASSIC OCD behavior. Coming from a serious psychology background - and having compulsions VERY similar to the ones @ladygoldfish describes, among others - I think that perhaps she may understand OCD better than you think, @CMGragain.

That being said, I do the same thing, except I always have to wear what I want to pack because I don't ever have clothes enough to set back a week's worth of outfits. But I do create packing lists and outfit lists and do dry runs to make sure it will all fit in my carry-on and zip easily and won't be too heavy and everything I CAN pack, gets packed early. Everyone else I know packs the night before but I'm usually ready to go in over a week.

theartistformerlyknownas · August 2014

For long trips, I also make lists of all the outfit combinations I could make from my selections, and plot out what I might be doing each day so I'm dressed appropriately. Otherwise I sometimes end up with a bunch of frantically packed shit that doesn't match.

Let's remember that for as offensive as it can be to casually throw around serious verbiage that may not be accurate, it's just as offensive to assume the person does not, in fact, use that terminology with full knowledge and accuracy.

SmileDamnit · August 2014

I'm a day before kind of packer who does not suffer from OCD tendencies so while I won't go so far as to say you're being ridiculous, I will say I don't necessary understand being THAT detailed. Do what you need to do be comfortable and to minimize the anxiety that packing causes you. I will also throw it out there - what's wrong with over packing a bit? Assuming you have the space in your suitcase, of course.

lolo883 said:

For long trips, I also make lists of all the outfit combinations I could make from my selections, and plot out what I might be doing each day so I'm dressed appropriately. Otherwise I sometimes end up with a bunch of frantically packed shit that doesn't match. Let's remember that for as offensive as it can be to casually throw around serious verbiage that may not be accurate, it's just as offensive to assume the person does not, in fact, use that terminology with full knowledge and accuracy.

Aaaaaaaaand THANK YOU!

RebeccaB88 · August 2014

Yeah, that's...somewhat beyond what I'd consider normal. I don't have enough clothes to set aside for 2 weeks in piles.

I do have (professionally diagnosed) OCD tendencies, so I do tend to overpack just a little bit. But, I'm also a somewhat messy eater and am known for spilling food on my chest. I usually thrown in a couple extra tops for this reason. And a couple extra pairs of underwear.

I usually stick to neutral bottoms and shoes, that way pretty much any top I grab will go. Depending on where I'm going and what I'm doing, usually I'll pack black, khaki, or denim pants, and either black or brown shoes (or one of each - wear one and pack the other). I have some flexibility that way. I tend to get frustrated when I don't have choices. I don't pack a lot of accessories, maybe just a couple pairs of earrings, and a clutch purse if I need it.

I will make a last minute list, just to make sure I have absolute necessities like my medications, chargers, medical records, and that I do stuff like lock doors, take out trash, adjust the thermostat. That one I'll check off as I do it. I figure that I don't usually travel to places where I can't buy a toothbrush or contact solution if I forget it, or tampons if that happens unexpectedly, or even a new outfit, but replacing medications is an expensive pain in the butt.

I also have a thing about packing an extra pair of underwear in my purse or carryon, in case I end up stuck in a hotel overnight with no luggage. I can wear clothes twice, but underwear, not so much.

lc07 · August 2014

If it's not in my carry-on. It's non-essential. I'm always prepared to lose my checked luggage.

So I'm pretty similar to Lynda. I keep my Passport/ID/Cash/Credit Cards on me, my medicine, my glasses, and extra contact lenses (if my eye sight wasn't able to be corrected with lenses I'd be legally blind by a mile)

Everything else I can buy or replace.

Underwear is not even an essential for me

PineapplePopsicles · August 2014

lolo883 said:

For long trips, I also make lists of all the outfit combinations I could make from my selections, and plot out what I might be doing each day so I'm dressed appropriately. Otherwise I sometimes end up with a bunch of frantically packed shit that doesn't match. Let's remember that for as offensive as it can be to casually throw around serious verbiage that may not be accurate, it's just as offensive to assume the person does not, in fact, use that terminology with full knowledge and accuracy.

YES.

As for the packing, count me in the "I'm 6 weeks out and I've been planning this shit for weeks already" camp. I have a billion business cards with my (current, soon to be old!) name on them, so I figure it is ok to waste them. I wrote one piece of clothing on each card. Like "navy lace shirt with gold zipper" or "pink shorts" or "green dress with white trim" and I've been playing with them like puzzle pieces for weeks. Tops in one pile, bottoms in another, mixing and matching and then stapling the cards together when I feel like I've made a match. I'm not trying to fly halfway around the world and then realize I don't have what I need or that an outfit would have been so much cuter if I had brought my blue capri pants! Obsessive? Sure. But that's how my brain works.

theartistformerlyknownas · August 2014

PineapplePopsicles said:

lolo883 said:

For long trips, I also make lists of all the outfit combinations I could make from my selections, and plot out what I might be doing each day so I'm dressed appropriately. Otherwise I sometimes end up with a bunch of frantically packed shit that doesn't match. Let's remember that for as offensive as it can be to casually throw around serious verbiage that may not be accurate, it's just as offensive to assume the person does not, in fact, use that terminology with full knowledge and accuracy.

YES.

As for the packing, count me in the "I'm 6 weeks out and I've been planning this shit for weeks already" camp. I have a billion business cards with my (current, soon to be old!) name on them, so I figure it is ok to waste them. I wrote one piece of clothing on each card. Like "navy lace shirt with gold zipper" or "pink shorts" or "green dress with white trim" and I've been playing with them like puzzle pieces for weeks. Tops in one pile, bottoms in another, mixing and matching and then stapling the cards together when I feel like I've made a match. I'm not trying to fly halfway around the world and then realize I don't have what I need or that an outfit would have been so much cuter if I had brought my blue capri pants! Obsessive? Sure. But that's how my brain works.

So tell me more about this shirt. It sounds fantastic.

PineapplePopsicles · August 2014

@lolo883 girl! I got it at Marshall's & it is so cute. It is navy & sleeveless and possibly a chiffon-type material. It has this overlay-type thing that stops about halfway down the shirt, and the front is the same chiffon solid material as the rest of the shirt, but the back is lace and has this gold zipper. It's hard to describe and looks HORRID on a hanger but looks SO cute on a body.

sorry i can't describe it in English. words are hard.

theartistformerlyknownas · August 2014

PineapplePopsicles said:

@lolo883 girl! I got it at Marshall's & it is so cute. It is navy & sleeveless and possibly a chiffon-type material. It has this overlay-type thing that stops about halfway down the shirt, and the front is the same chiffon solid material as the rest of the shirt, but the back is lace and has this gold zipper. It's hard to describe and looks HORRID on a hanger but looks SO cute on a body.

sorry i can't describe it in English. words are hard.

Roger that. Stopping at Marshall's tonight. Thank you kindly.

PineapplePopsicles · August 2014

lolo883 said:

PineapplePopsicles said:

@lolo883 girl! I got it at Marshall's & it is so cute. It is navy & sleeveless and possibly a chiffon-type material. It has this overlay-type thing that stops about halfway down the shirt, and the front is the same chiffon solid material as the rest of the shirt, but the back is lace and has this gold zipper. It's hard to describe and looks HORRID on a hanger but looks SO cute on a body.

sorry i can't describe it in English. words are hard.

Roger that. Stopping at Marshall's tonight. Thank you kindly.

I bought it a couple of weeks ago. I went this weekend and they had navy, peach and ivory, but in the sale/clearance sections. Good luck!

beachyone15 · August 2014

AddieCake said:

I think it seems over the top, complicated, and unnecessary.

ETA: And while OP may not have been diagnosed by a pro with OCD, what she described in her follow up sounds OCD to me. I think it's ridiculous to harp on her about it. JFC sometimes people can't say a damned thing around here without people zeroing in on it and picking apart phrases, expressions, terminology, etc.

a-FREAKING-men!!!