Help! I'm Overpacking!!

tatarn2b2007 · Dec 12, 2008

Haha. I am facing the same thing. I am trying to just stick with the essentials, but it all seems like it is. I have a rule though, if I have not used it in 6 months, it isnt going with me!! I am a pack rat so its going to be a lot of trial and error!!

cosmicmama, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2008

You have enough to a different pair of scrubs every day you're there! If it were me, I'd probably only pack 6-8 pairs of scrubs, enough for two weeks.

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2008

Okay, so I'm going to Santa Barbara from Portland for 13 weeks and I'm taking my car.
So far, I have 3 full suitcases, one overnight bag/suitcase with meds, hair stuff, cosmetics etc., a plastic case with my books and papers, a hamper with clothes I couldn't fit into the suitcases, and I still have to pack kitchen essentials, my shoes and my favorite snacks.
I have about 30 sets of scrubs---that's probably the main problem, but then I packed casuals, skirts, dresses, shorts and sweaters as well. I mainly packed my favorite clothes, with the thought of not wanting to miss anything that I wanted while I was gone...
How many scrubs do you need for 13 weeks (for someone that HATES doing laundry every week!). Should I just cut the scrub sets down to like 12 or something? Or should I eliminate the extra clothes?

Hmmm..if you can I'd cut back on some of the clothes. Also, when I traveled, I found those space bags to be a HUGE help..you know the ones where you pack them full and then pull the air out and they shrink down? Made it a lot easier to pack a lot of clothes! Also, allowed me to take a couple of things like my own towels and a favorite blanket. Just a thought.

Fawn222RN · Dec 12, 2008

Just remember that you will have to pack that stuff all over again at the end of your assignment; do you really want to make yourself suffer like that? :eek: 6-8 pairs of scrubs is plenty, and you can always add to your collection while you're there! And picture yourself dragging your belongings up & down a staircase... I'm having flashbacks now, went through this in Omaha on a snowy night last winter! Learned my lesson! Good luck on your assignment!

Spiderella · Dec 12, 2008

Okay, I managed to cut down by one suitcase...that's the best I can do. Errrrrr. I'm such a packrat too, I'm so awful, even if I'm going for a weekend I pack a full suitcase. So 13 weeks is like 13 weekends, which means I would need like 13 suitcases...lol.

I don't think there are any stairs...YAY, but I'm trying to pack leaner. How everyone does this regularly is way beyond me.

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Dec 13, 2008

Find a local laundry that will do drop off laundry, then take it in once a week. Have enough clothing to last two weeks. Don't put anything in the space bag that you want to wear. The creases put in by the vacume are very difficult to remove. I thought it would be great for my suits ( they even have a hanging bag) but the dry cleaner charged me extra because they said the creases wouldn't come out and asked if I had used a vacume bag.

Some take very little as far as kitchen stuff, opting to buy at a Thrift store in the area but then if you don't return it before you leave you wind up packing it home. I believe I have solved the problem of over packing.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10487&id=1099811947

If it won't fit, it doesn't go.

Rod

travelinjones · Dec 14, 2008

Good will hunting! I 'rent' what I need at the local thrift stores and then re-donate it before I leave. Works for me! Besides, it seems the climate changes between spring in the desert (very hot), and summer in San Francisco (very cold!) have made it impractical to hold on to my casual clothes... I find I end up with new favorites, and don't really miss my other stuff that much.

I have shoe issues. I've had to cut back on Uggs because they take up alot of room, and that was hard to do.

Cut wayyyyyy back on the scrubs. Really not necessary.

and like Rod said...laundry drop off is an awesome service to spoil yourself with! If only I could get them to put it away for me too... hmmmm....

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · Dec 16, 2008

Um i dont know, DO LAUNDRY every week!! :yeah:

I cant even imagine owning 30 pairs of scrubs. I have 4 pairs. That will get me through a set of shifts, then I will do 1 load. doesnt take much time at all. I would think that 7 pairs of scrubs would be more than sufficient.

as far as cltothes, you need to pick certain items that you can have multiple uses for outfits. Bring the clothes that look the best on you and that you know you will wear. Your going to Santa Barbara? shopping is not far away im sure if you find your in desperate need of something. Bring only your essential hair and body care if you can. Bring 1 pair of running shoes, flipflops, and dressy shoes for when you go out at night. Bring shoes that will match multiple outfits.

I brought a fair amount of clothes, and ive been here in LA a month and have hardly wore most of them. I tend to stick to the usual stuff. You will definately not need as many clothes as you think you will. Just get used to rewearing outfits once in a while. I just cant imagine bringing the amount of stuff you have.

use this as a time of self learning. You might be able to learn to live leaner, and when you go home you might realized you dont need so much STUFF.

packtraveler06 · Dec 18, 2008

Don't forget if you like to shop.... you are going to need space for the goodies you purchased on your assignment. I also try to go with a color scheme. I rarely wear pastels so most of my clothing is in primary colors so I can mix and match. The few pastels I own I leave at home. The nice thing is when I leave things at home, when I go for a visit I find clothes I forgot I even owned!!!!! I pack my clothes in laundry baskets, so then I have laundry baskets when I get to my new apartment. Final thought, if you just can't live without it (which sometimes we girls just have to have our "stuff") this is the perfect excuse to buy a bigger car;)

ACRN06 · Jan 13, 2009

Final thought, if you just can't live without it (which sometimes we girls just have to have our "stuff") this is the perfect excuse to buy a bigger car;)

Uh.. hehe... I know that was supposed to be a joke and all....

But I did. Ha! I kid you not...Got out of my little Civic and into a nice big SUV (great deal, used) right before starting my travel nursing so that I could roam about the country and rack up a bunch of miles on it without caring. I'll get a nice car when I'm ready to settle down in one place.