Chapter 1: The Packing Dilemma

A few weeks back, I took a trip to Key West, and naturally, I procrastinated until the night before my flight to pack. The act of packing fills me with dread, perhaps because the process has become significantly more complicated than it was a quarter-century ago.

Before I could rest, I had to search every corner of my home for the electronic devices I deemed essential for my journey. These gadgets were non-existent in my travel kit 25 to 30 years ago. Back then, I could simply toss in a few outfits, some makeup, a curling iron, and a compact camera, and I was ready to go.

Fast forward to today, I now require a second suitcase dedicated solely to my electronics. Wanting to avoid checked baggage fees, I crammed everything into a large satchel alongside my carry-on. This included my laptop and its charger, a GoPro with its harness and tripod, extra batteries, my smartphone, and its charger, not to mention my Bluetooth earbuds with their own charging case. I almost packed my Sony SLR camera but opted to rely on my smartphone for photos, while the GoPro would capture my adventures for my travel YouTube channel.

Of course, these items were scattered throughout my home, as I lack a specific area for electronics. If I did have such a space, it might require an entire room to accommodate the gadgets my husband and I own—a mini Radio Shack within our 750-square-foot house.

As the clock ticked closer to my 4 a.m. wake-up call, I raced around, navigating between rooms and descending into the basement multiple times, muttering under my breath. "Where's the charger for my phone battery pack? Where's my GoPro chest harness?" After a frantic search, I finally gathered everything and crawled into bed, but anxiety about forgetting something crucial kept me awake. It felt as if my survival depended on my gadgets.

When my alarm blared at 4 a.m., I jumped out of bed, excited to begin my adventure. It's amusing how I can wake up with no trouble for a trip but struggle to get up for work, often hitting the snooze button multiple times. I showered, loaded my luggage and electronics into the car, and headed to the airport.

Once there, the weight of my electronics bag was a strain on my shoulder, so I switched it from arm to arm while dashing across the airport. They changed our gate three times! Yet, I kept reminding myself that all this hassle was worth it for my devices.

Feeling tech-savvy, I pulled out my phone to display our digital tickets. The night before, I had taken screenshots of the barcodes and emailed them to myself for a smooth check-in process. I double-checked my phone to ensure I was prepared.

Navigating airport security always fills me with dread. I feel almost guilty, as if I’m being treated like a criminal. The staff are usually stern, barking orders: "Remove your coat! Take off your belt! Shoes off!" The questioning begins: "Do you have liquids in your bag? Anything in your pockets? Metal plates in your head?" I feel like I'm in a spy movie, raising my hands in the scanning chamber. Once I pass, I approach the stern-looking attendant, ready to show my digital ticket.

It didn’t scan. I was instructed to turn my phone sideways, but it still wouldn't work. Panic set in as I noticed the line building behind me. I stepped aside, and thankfully, she tried another machine, and it worked. I was in!

To my delight, I discovered the flight offered a free movie. Proudly, I thought about how I brought my own earbuds, but they didn’t function since my phone needed to be on airplane mode. I switched the volume off and resorted to watching subtitles on the screen in front of me. To my dismay, the flight attendant didn’t provide earbuds. Looking around, I saw others happily using their own. I felt foolish, imagining the seasoned travelers whispering and laughing about my blunder.

This encapsulates my tumultuous relationship with electronics—a true love-hate affair.

On my first day in stunning Key West, I snapped countless photos with my phone (averaging about 500 per trip). As my battery began to dwindle, I proudly pulled out my phone battery pack, thinking, "Not today, battery! You're not dying on me during this beautiful sunset!" But then I realized I had forgotten the adapter cord needed to connect the battery pack to my phone (Type C). Panic set in—I had no way to charge my phone, which served as my GPS, camera, research tool, and text communicator. It felt like losing an arm. I hoped my battery would last until I returned to the hotel to recharge. I even considered buying a $35 cord at CVS in Key West but quickly dismissed the idea.

The worry of my battery dying loomed over me. Would it fail right as I was about to capture a photo of a six-toed Hemingway cat? Luckily, my battery only dipped to 28 percent, allowing me to get all my sunset shots and even some nightlife photos.

The following morning, I woke up early, grabbed coffee, and took my laptop to the hotel balcony to journal. The sun shone brightly, and I admired the palm trees and blue sky. It was a perfect moment for writing.

I've been bringing my laptop on trips for the past decade to document my experiences. Although lugging it through the airport can be a hassle, it’s worth it for preserving my memories. Rereading my travel journals brings back those special moments and fills me with joy.

Perhaps I should consider a tablet—lighter and more compact. However, I enjoy typing on a physical keyboard, which feels more official. Maybe there are mini-keyboards available that I could use with a tablet; that could be a great compromise for travel.

Yet, this would mean adding three more items to my packing list!

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Chapter 2: Packing Strategies for the Modern Traveler

In this video, I learned a straightforward method to pack like a pro for a two-week trip using just a carry-on. Check out this easy packing tutorial!

This second video discusses essential packing tips that experienced travelers swear by, including 11 items they no longer carry. It's a must-watch for any traveler!