My Own Little Closet
As the mom, I’m the default packer and unpacker (travel nesting) for most trips. It’s not like it was ever decided or discussed, but it’s kind of how most families have one parent who does most of the driving or cooking. Some innate biological drive has made me the primary packer-upper. I don’t mind this at all. In fact, it’s a satisfying task most of the time. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t tiring and often stressful. I hate the unsettled feeling of having clothes pouring out of a suitcase in a pile for the duration of a trip, but then I also hate the stress of leaving a hotel room and having to check every drawer and shelf OCD-levels of times to see if I got everything back into a suitcase.
For years I’ve eyed various travel hanging shelf configurations, but I only recently decided to pull the trigger and buy one. (Ridiculous to have waited so long when the final cost was something like $18.) But the good news is that this one is a keeper. Such a keeper that I’ve started keeping my travel clothes packed in it in my closet at home, too. Such a keeper that Mike tried to horn in on my space. “Maybe I could just use that top shelf for my stuff when we travel?” “Hell no, dude. This is my little closet.” Such a keeper that I think I’ll need to get one for each family member.
The particular one I chose is smaller than some. (Think square vs. rectangle.) And this one doubles as a compression-style packing cube when it’s not hanging, or when it is hanging it has a bottom “drawer” of sorts that zippers shut. I can’t fit my entire travel wardrobe in it when it’s compressed/closed, but I just use another packing cube for transporting the last few items like socks and underwear.
When we arrive at our destination, I unzip it, hang it in the closet, put the socks-n-undies into the bottom, and voila. Unpacking complete! When it’s time to leave, it’s a quick reversal of that, and I’m done. Holy cow is this a game changer for me. If you’re willing, able, and desiring to pack efficiently, treat yo’ self to that $18 purchase. It’s worth every penny.
I didn’t even bother tidying up my hanging shelves for you. This is the current state it’s in at our home exchange house in Waimea, Hawaii. Set it and forget it!
