Pre-departure thoughts

 Sunday.

2 days to departure. Looking at all the stuff strewn across the floor in my room. Its been in this state for the past five days. Its the weekends and the excuse for procrastination is gone. 

I've got a 20 kg check-in + 10 kg handcarry to work with - that, in my head, means a luggage and a 45+10L backpack from my younger backpacking days. Oh, and the 10 kg hand-carry includes my laptop bag.

My cupboard is wide opened, all my winter wear is out, piled up on the rattan chair in the room. 

Large ziplock bags scattered on the floor - each had a dedicated function of storing a specific type of clothes a long while ago, pre-COVID.

One of the things I hate the most is packing - I'm not good at it, doubt I'll ever be. Used to come up with a packing list and go with it. But then always ended up over-packing, although I never did have to pack for a year. The last time I packed for a long trip was 10 years ago, for my INSTEP exchange.

I think one of the reasons my mind subconsciously comes up with all sorts of excuse to procrastinate on packing is because packing gives me all sorts of anxiety. The constant wondering of the 'what ifs' - running through all the possible remote scenarios in my head and evaluating endlessly how likely these scenarios are going to pan out thereby justifying the need of certain items. Leaving it to the last minute also means that the amount of time spent wondering about all these scenarios will be limited and (quick) judgement calls have to be made.

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Monday.

D-1 to departure. I'm about 12 hours from my flight now. This time tomorrow I'll be in Perth planning my next day.

I'm more or less packed, with the exception of my chargers pack, ready to go once I do a last charge of my phone tomorrow morning.

Instead of my 45L backpack, that has now been reduced to a 40L adidas duffel bag. Because C needs 10kg of my luggage allowance and as a supportive boyfriend, that is what I will and can help with. A duffel bag also happens to allow for easy retrieval of my drone and other electronics when I go through customs.

There is a sense of calm now. The same kind of calm before examinations - knowing I have prepared (adequately, I hope), but not knowing what exactly is coming. The mess around the room has been cleared up, and sitting right smack in the middle of it, is a full black luggage and a duffel bag. Well wishes have been said, thanks given, and everyone can get on with their lives. Just a little prep talk for myself for tomorrow and beyond: 

Don't think too much. There's no better time than now. All the best, come what may.