If you’ve ever traveled with me—or honestly, just seen me leave the house for a day trip—you know one thing about me: I’m an overpacker. I don’t just bring what I might need; I bring what I could need if the weather shifts, the vibe changes, or someone spontaneously invites me to something I want to say yes to.
So imagine the collective giggle from my friends and family when I announced that for my 27-month Peace Corps service, I’m allowed just two 50-pound checked bags, one carry-on, and one personal item. That’s it. No “just in case” duffel. No “miscellaneous essentials” tote. Certainly not the “seasonal shoe rotation” suitcase. Just four humble pieces of luggage to carry me through two years of living and working in North Macedonia.
I know. I can hear you laughing from here.
But Peace Corps packing isn’t a weekend getaway. I’m not curating outfits for rooftop dinners or packing a floppy hat for the beach. I’m packing for life—for muddy walks to work, for cold winters and quiet Sundays, for days when I miss home and need something familiar to hold onto. It’s not just clothes and toiletries—it’s routines, rituals, and little comforts that remind me who I am.
And here’s where the real challenge comes in: wants vs. needs.
That’s the question behind every item on my list. It’s a surprisingly emotional exercise in self-awareness when you realize you don’t need a library of reads to last your entire service, skincare backups for every possible scenario, or even the camping gear you so want to bring—just in case there’s a weekend that calls for it. Turns out, it’s okay to leave space for what comes next, rather than trying to prepare for every version of it.
I’ve revised my packing spreadsheet so many times I’m convinced it’s becoming sentient. Every time I cut something, I feel myself going through the pros and cons list in my head. I went through a pile of sweaters with my mom yesterday and we settled on the most practical additions- I sadly won’t be bringing the fur poncho and matching pant set but… who knows I do have a few more revisions before heading off. I even caught myself Googling, “Does vacuum-sealing make clothes weigh less?”—just to see if I could sneak in a few extra comforts.
But slowly—so slowly—I’m learning to make peace with less. To choose the one sweater I love over the three I kind of like. To pack one perfect notebook instead of five “just in case.” And to remember: I’m not moving to the moon. I’ll be living in a country with stores. I can buy shampoo and socks in North Macedonia. Deep breaths.
Somehow, my growing pile of “must-haves” is starting to look… manageable. And honestly? There’s something freeing about knowing that what I’m bringing is intentional, purposeful, and just enough. This process has already taught me so much about what I rely on, what I value, and the habits that come with a comfortable life. I’m packing with more grace than I expected—and with far more awareness of what I actually need.
So here’s to two checked bags, a carry-on, and a personal item.
Here’s to the art of traveling light(…ish).
And here’s to proving that even an overpacking maximalist can embrace a little minimalism—though let’s not get carried away. My makeup bag still needs some revisions.
But progress is progress.
With heart,
