packing — Cori Dombroski Blog

Really, this should be titled: How to Pack for a Month in Asia (after a wedding weekend in autumnal New York, along with another stint in wintry New York, plus also preparing your apartment for two months of subletting). And, actually, this is more of a cry for help than a list of recommendations!

1. Lay out some things

I like to display all the items I might possibly need and then narrow it down from there. This helps me visualize where everything is going to fit and lets me know if I have crazy expectations.

2. Don't forget your dress!

This is only valid if you're a bridesmaid, but hang your dress in a place where you won't forget it.

3. Watch the live action Beauty and the Beast on Netflix

Take a break. Why not?

4. Narrow down the things

Make enough space for souvenirs and the many, many pairs of shoes that you will definitely need at all times during your journey.

5. Don't forget your dress!

Move the dress to a place where you can actually see it, and bring the shoes along with it.

6. Pack the things

Self-explanatory. I like to perform a rolling method since my clothes are mostly yoga pants and partially yoga shirts. Fill all the extra spaces with underwear so at least your underclothes will be clean when everything else is dirty.

7. Bring a passport

And a wallet. And a phone. And don't forget your dress!

1. Take over your entire dining room table. Ask for your roommate's forgiveness later (if she/he is a goddess/god like mine is, she/he will pretend not to be annoyed!). Eat all of your meals on the floor in fire log pose to stimulate your digestive fires and sculpt your bikini body.

*Don't put anything on your bed, you'll need it for sleeping after you spend all day putting off packing!

2. Bring enough underwear for 3.5 weeks to make up for the time your dad told you to bring only 5 pairs for a month-long study abroad trip to Argentina. Know that bidet-washed underwear is not machine-washed underwear. I spent one summer working at Victoria's Secret and can make you an instructional video on how to fold them into 5-pair bundles.

3. Put everything on the table, take many things off the table, put (too) many things in the bag, take everything out of the bag, etc. etc. Pack your computer because you are an adult, unpack your computer because you are a light-living summer gypsy, repack your computer because you are a slave to the internet and want photosharing and Netflix in airports. Remember this is a trial and error process and all you really need is your passport, then go!