I’ve always had a problem with the concept of “packing light”.

Whether it was packing my school bags, my handbags or my luggage when travelling, it always seemed like there was nothing I could do without. I would have all these “what if” scenarios playing in my head as I pack another book to read when I’m bored, the 7th extra tee shirt in case the previous 6 spares got wet or couldn’t match my spare shorts. And that, commonly resulted in my buying larger and larger bags to fit everything in, and carrying bags that were the weight of a small bag of rice.

I attribute the problem to Home Alone 2.

Back when I was just an impressionable little girl (yes, i know. hard to imagine), I watched wide-eyed as Macaulay Culkin got separated from his family at the airport and ended up with a neat bag of stuff and a holiday alone in New York.

It should’ve made me more excited about exploring new places on my own. If he could do it, I should too right? But no… I was young, and a coward. I found myself worrying that if I ever lost my parents in a crowded place, I’d need to take care of myself. So I decided it would be best to ALWAYS have my most important things with me.

Problem was, the phrase “most important”  was pretty vague.

The things of Most Importance went from my favourite pencil case and books, to my best sweater, spare hair accessories and walkman, till today where it includes makeup pouches, mini laptop computers, power adaptors, small cameras and even my guitar when I can help it.

I loved to write down these long lists of things that I would want to have with me if I ever found the need to run away from home. Fortunately, the need never arose. Even if it did, I was gonna have trouble leaving anyway. Based on the ever-increasing length of my lists, my mode of getaway transportation evolved from running away on foot, to leaving on  a bicycle, and finally to driving away in a small van with lots of storage space and a small bed to sleep in.

Yes I know. I’d never survive in a war.

Needless to say, this inability to pack light is starting to take its toll.

The backaches are a small thing. I like to blame those on my office camera bag, which everyone knows I have to carry around everyday. It’s merely a concidence that my own bag weighs slightly more than the office camera.

The bigger problem is when a certain someone’s car trunk seems to only get smaller and smaller with each passing week, the weight of my stuff causes the car to have enough momentum to roll into a lorry even while braking, and when that certain someone finally complains that my bag (not my camera bag) gave him bruises on his shoulder.

Opps.

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