Go/No Go for Launch

I’m a list maker. Grab any notebook in my (vast) collection and there’s a 90% probability you’ll find a list. Lists of chores, of movies, of quotes, or websites. Lists detailing things to do and the order in which to do them.

And, of course, you’ll find packing lists. I’m crazy about packing lists. I make a list for the clothes I’ll need to pack and which days I’ll be wearing each outfit. I make a list for all my electronics, a list for games and books, a list for toiletries, a list for socks. Every major trip I’ve gone on (and most of the minor ones) have been  planned by lists. It’s a way to keep my scatterbrained forgetfulness to a minimum, but it also gives me a sense of calm. Like my mind mellows out when I’m charting out how many days I’ll be gone and writing in how many pairs of pants I’ll need.

Of course, the actual packing is the best part. As calming as it is to make a list, it’s so much fun to cross things off a list!  I feel like my bedroom is mission control as I carefully read off, pack and check everything on the list. Like this picture only with toothbrushes, socks and my emergency deck of cards. It’s always nice to start off a big trip already feeling like I’ve made accomplishments and no matter how tiny they are, those checkmarks next to my lists feel like accomplishments to me.