“A packer faces three obstacles. There’s contingency: a variety of possible futures must somehow be tamed. There’s consumerism: the junk you own needs to be winnowed into a useful curation. And there’s comfort: we want to be cushioned against transit’s sharp points,” writes Joshua Rothman in his essay “Why Can’t You Pack a Bag?” which was published in the New Yorker in 2024. Consider how packing a bag for travel can reveal various aspects of your personality and mindset. Do you tend to be a maximalist or minimalist packer? How do you navigate the constraints of available space against being prepared with clothing and accoutrements necessary for the weather and terrain you will be traversing, and the occasions and activities you expect to experience? In an essay, reflect on times in the past when you were met with packing failures, as well as packing successes.
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