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Packing is an integral part of travel – one that can potentially make or break your trip! Some tips to ease your load.
By Shivya Nath
We Indians are notorious when it comes to packing for a vacation. I remember all the family holidays that started with dragging heavy suitcases out of the house, bargaining with porters at the railway station, asking burly men for a hand to get the luggage up the luggage shelf of the train, and keeping track of all our many belongings. It didn’t matter whether the vacation lasted a weekend or a week; my mom had to pack what she had to pack. I’m glad I didn’t inherit her packing skills.
Advantages of efficient packing
Over four years of travelling independently, my rule of thumb has evolved to carrying one backpack for a trip shorter than a week, and a haversack for up to a month. That might not be everyone’s travel style, but there are enough reasons for us women to travel light; assurance that our luggage isn’t manhandled, independence from relying on men for help, money and time saved by carry-on luggage in the absence of escalators and while checking in to a flight, and of course, the drastically reduced chances of losing our precious belongings.
Packing light is a little like a cook experimenting with the perfect ingredients for his signature dish – you may not get it exactly right the first few times, but you’ll get there eventually. A few pointers to keep in mind:
Size matters
Obvious as it might sound, the bigger your bag, the more you’ll stuff in it and the heavier it will become. Choose an average sized bag or a wheeled suitcase, and stick to only what fits in it. Don’t overstuff it, especially if you like to buy souvenirs or shop where you go. Choose your smallest cases for toiletries and cosmetics.
Pack smart
Pick clothes that are easy to mix and match. If ethnic is your style, carry a pair of black jeans or churidaars that can be reused with different colours. If you’re heading somewhere cold, pack layers that can easily be added or removed depending on the weather, and that can be shuffled to change the look. Load up on accessories; they take minimal space and can deck up any outfit.
Comfort comes first
We often try to put looks before comfort, but on long trips, few things can make us look (and feel) more miserable than the lack of comfort. Forget those fancy heels at home, they are neither worth the space nor the way they’ll torture your feet on long walks.
Research over anticipation
Many of us anticipate the weather and pack for summer, winter and monsoon for just a single weekend away from home. Ask Google, rely on weather forecasts, and for unexpected showers, carry a foldable poncho rather than bulky umbrellas and a waterproof jacket. Instead of anticipating everything that could go wrong on a trip, go with an open mind and treat any detours from the original plan as an adventure.
Go local
We love our food and we hate to leave home without it, but it’s also the most space-hogging and attention-seeking part of our luggage. Try to limit the food you carry to small snacks, and experiment with the food available at the destination you’re travelling to. After all, food constitutes a large part of experiencing a new culture, and you might just find a new cuisine or recipe to please your taste buds.
The next time you pack, remember the traveller’s motto, ‘It’s better to bring half of what you think you need, and twice as much money.’
Photo credit: mcarvalho
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Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job.
Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities.
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