In anticipation of my Israel trip, and to try to allay some of my overall anxiety, I decided to do a practice run at packing. I planned it for the two-week Sukkot break from teaching (after the Jewish High Holidays), on the assumption that full days would be filled with perseverating and procrastinating, which they were.
Earlier in the summer, I went through a marathon effort to research everything for the trip, watching endless videos about where to go and what to bring and how to pack it correctly, and then I spent way too much time on Amazon buying all kinds of things I was sure I would need. In my defense, the high level of anxiety made it very hard for me to think clearly, which also explains why I ended up with multiples of a bunch of things, because I forgot what I’d already ordered.
The goal of the practice packing was to : 1) figure out if I could take just a carry on and a personal bag, or if I’d need a bigger suitcase that I would have to check in (which all of the videos told me not to do); and 2) to see if there was anything I’d forgotten to buy (like quart-sized Ziploc bags, for packing liquids and medications, according to the rules).
But first I had to recover from my Yom Kippur cold, and then watch guiltily as Mom suffered from her own version of the cold, and then I had to catch up on errands that I’d had to put off during the holidays and the ensuing sick-in (like laundry and food shopping and multiple trips to the drug store). And then I had no more excuses. Except, I still couldn’t even look at the pile of stuff from Amazon that had been living on my treadmill for months, or at the packing list I’d made after watching and rewatching and summarizing and analyzing all of those videos.
I tried to think of ways to make the task more manageable, to Bird-by-Bird it, the way I do with everything else that overwhelms me (I know that Anne Lamott meant her wisdom to be used specifically for writing projects, breaking down a big project into smaller tasks, bird by bird, but for me it has become a helpful way to portion out all kinds of difficult tasks). But even the thought of looking at my packing list, or opening the bag of compression packing cubes, set off images in my mind of being pulled out of the security line by giant men with mustaches (for some reason), and stun guns.
Finally, in a moment of desperation, I poured all of the Amazon items onto my bed, so I could go through them and see what I had actually bought. The two extra crossbody bags and the extra power adaptor made me feel silly, it’s true, but it wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. Most of the things I’d bought were useful, if not strictly necessary. And I was able to use the packing cubes (multiple sizes of mesh zipper bags) to help keep things organized, and allow me to pack one small bag at a time instead of a whole suitcase.
The easiest place to start was to pack the things I wouldn’t need to use in the next few weeks, like the travel-size Waterpik, and the long skirt, and the foldable water bottle (why did I think I’d need such a thing?). And then I added in socks and underwear to fill out the bag, and because I remembered my high school friend (the one I’m going to visit in Israel) telling me about a long trip she took where she made sure to pack thirty pairs of socks for thirty days (her father owned a sock store), I threw in a few extra pairs of socks, for luck.
I knew I couldn’t pack my prescription meds until the last minute, especially because I’d decided to go with the strictest recommendations, which said to bring the actual bottles instead of pre-packing pill cases and bringing the prescription labels, so I typed up the (also recommended) list of all of my medications, and doses, and doctors names, and phone numbers. And then I filled a pill case with all of the over-the-counter medications I might need on the trip (allergy meds, Tylenol, probiotics, etc.), and labeled each compartment so I wouldn’t accidently confuse the Benadryl with the probiotic. And then I packed an empty day-by-day pill case, to fill once I get there. The very specific, and endless, rules around how to pack medications and liquids make me worry that if I do something even a little bit wrong, I’ll be arrested and accused of drug trafficking, because I am clearly planning to smuggle anti-depressants and thyroid medication to sell on the black market in Tel Aviv.
By the time I’d finished practice packing the meds, and the liquids (in flexible silicone bottles that came with their own labels too!), I was exhausted, but at least I had a better idea of what I’d forgotten to buy (the Ziploc bags), and I’d resolved some of the conundrums I’d left hanging for months (should I bring the prescription bottles or just the labels and a pill case). I just took a few more minutes to shove a few outfits into my suitcase to see how much would fit, and then I declared myself finished.
It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be in Israel in a few weeks, though. Just like it doesn’t feel real that all of the living hostages are finally home. It takes me a long time to process things like this, and it doesn’t help that I’m already seeing reports about Hamas reasserting itself in Gaza, and killing their Palestinian enemies in the streets. I’m also not hearing much optimism about Hamas actually returning all of the bodies of the murdered hostages or agreeing to disarm. But I can’t do anything about that, or about many of the other things that are causing me so much anxiety, but I can pack my suitcase, and unpack it and repack it, and make sure I have enough socks and Tylenol and shampoo to make it through my trip. For now, I guess, that will have to be enough.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my novel, Yeshiva Girl, on Amazon. And if you feel called to write a review of the book, on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?
rachelmankowitz 
As the excitement mounts for the travel and time in Israel, I hope activities like practice packing and practising other routines helps manage your anxiety about travelling.
Me too! Thank you!
It looks like you’re doing everything right. Downsize as much as is practical. If some minor item has been forgotten, you can get another at your destination. I think you’ll be fine.
I hope so! Thank you!
That was smart to practice pack. And, I hope, erased your fears. You will be fine, Rachel.
Fingers crossed!
I’m excited for you! It’s also a good idea to make a copy of your passport page with your picture and passport number but you probably did that. Tzipporah’s groomer did a lovely job, she looks very pretty.
I never thought of that! Thank you!
Wow, Rachel, I have never thought of practice packing. Of course, I don’t really go much of anywhere, lol. I would love to go to Israel some day. I hope you have the most wonderful time 🙂
Fingers crossed!
🫶
I’m glad you’re getting to go on your trip and you have done is much to alleviate your concerns. Good for you!
Thank you!
So happy to read about your anticipation for this trip. I can’t wait to read about your adventures.
Not sure if this will work for you, but what I’ve done the last couple of trips overseas, with regard to my medications: I take photos of the documentation I have from the pharmacy for my most recent refills. The receipt we get shows all the information that’s on the label, plus a picture of what the pill/capsule looks like. Then I just fill my pill organizer and don’t worry about carrying bottles. For OTC meds, I take a picture of the bottle with a pill/capsule beside ir. Honestly, I’ve never been questioned about my meds, but the information is all there. Also, make sure to take a few days extra supply. We got stuck one year, when we couldn’t get home to south Florida because of a hurricane. We made it to our son’s home in Orlando, but he had to call our PCP and have them call in prescriptions to a pharmacy near him, because we hadn’t packed extras.
I’m definitely going to bring extra of everything, just in case. Thank you!!!
I can empathize with your packing anxiety! I have travelled a fair bit and have a couple of suggestions. I agree to try and NOT check a bag. That’s a good way to lose it all. I have success when I iron everything, socks and underwear included. That helps to compress it all so you can fit more in your carryon. Sometimes I roll everything and sometimes I use compression bags but my son seems to take all my bags and I haven’t gotten them back from him yet. But they REALLY work. Have fun and be safe.
Thank you!!!!!
30 socks for 30 days sounds right to me. Practice packing is a great exercise. I used have such a time deciding what to pack. Business wasn’t an issue. I could be gone for a week traveling to 3 different cities and I’d manage to pack everything in as laptop case. But a holiday weekend in the mountains would require two large suitcases. Sounds like you’re way more organized than I ever could be!
Who knows what will happen at the last minute, but so far I have a plan. Fingers crossed!
🤞
Save room in your bag for souvenirs!
Maybe in my pockets?!
😄. I always liked postcards. Small. Inexpensive. Easy to pack!
Do postcards still exist?!
I hope so! 😂
There is a free app called PackPoint that you can get on your phone. You put in the location, dates, duration, and type of holiday and it comes up with a list that you can tick off.
Great idea! Thank you!
Soak is a laundry liquid that does not need to be rinsed out. You put it in warm water, add your clothes, leave for 15 minutes and then squeeze them and hang to dry. Amazon again. It comes in small and large bottles.
Practicing your packing is a wonderful idea! Especially when preparing for an adventure like the one you’re about to undertake. I imagine it’s sort of like playing Tetris, trying to get all the shapes to fit together just so. 🙂
Yes! I remember Tetris!
Before you over pack, ask your high school friend if she has a washing machine.
She does!
I love the practice pack idea! And the bird-by-bird strategy! And TZ’s cute new cut!
I am so excited for you to go to Israel and can’t wait to read your ישראל blogs!!!
V
Thank you! I will do my best to take pictures!
Just so you know, it’s possible to survive while traveling on the other end of the packing spectrum. I can’t remember all the details of what I carried with me, but I once traveled overland from Liberia, through Sierra Leone, to Dakar, Senegal, carrying everything I needed with me. Once in Dakar, I caught a plane to the Canary Islands, and went from there to London. The plan was to meet a friend under the big clock at Waterloo Station, at an appointed time. It worked! Even though those were the days without internet, cell phones, and such, it was possible to navigate the world.
It still is. Don’t worry — you have many new tools to help you along the way, and wearing dirty socks for a few days isn’t the worst thing in the world!
The dirty socks might kill me, but I see your point. There are solutions to every problem, I just need to be able to breathe through them.
And remember that there always are people along the way who are willing to help out in one way or another!
That’s a lovely thought!
Fingers crossed for you, Rachel. Sounds like you’re doing great. I’m sorry; but this made me laugh. Your ordeal would make a great comedic sketch. (From my perspective.) Safe travels. And keep us posted. 🙂
Everything’s easier when I can make myself laugh; even better when other people can laugh with me!
“And then I had no more excuses.” Isn’t it grand how life always seems to work out like that? Unlike those big airport security guys with mustaches, it’s like one big or not big someone, up or out there somewhere or someplace, with a mustache or no mustache smiles and says in a voice that melts with kindness and love, “Ok, you’ve had fun, now it’s time.” And so it was…
Those mesh zipper bags come in really handy for separating stuff, like socks, when doing laundry at home so you’ll probably always have a use for those. And I think a foldable water bottle sounds pretty cool and would be great when just going for a walk at home.
Extra socks for luck = good thinking!
Sorry, I probably shouldn’t take so much interest in someone else’s trip packing, but I don’t really travel much so as someone who likes to prepare, it’s fun to follow along with it. (I’d do a pill case for 14+ days and labels rather than bringing the prescription bottles.)
I have to thank you for this: “if I do something even a little bit wrong, I’ll be arrested and accused of drug trafficking, because I am clearly planning to smuggle anti-depressants and thyroid medication to sell on the black market in Tel Aviv.” because it’s reassuring to know that I’m not the only person who thinks of this kind of stuff.
I hope you’re able to separate the news from your trip because you’re right, you can’t do anything about it. But you’re not powerless because what you can do is have a wonderful visit and a trip of a lifetime and see lots of cool things that will touch your soul and eat lots of exciting food that will feed your soul. I think the planning and the Amazon purchases and the practice packing is all part of that wonderfulness!
And if you run out of Tylenol or socks you can always buy some there.
And please tell Tzipporah I think her haircut looks wonderful! 🙂
Thank you! And I agree about Tzipporah’s haircut, but she’s still grumpy about it.
Sounds exhausting. I bought a special labeled bag from the drugstore for packing the 3 oz liquids and it split the first time I used it. The freezer bags work fine. Have fun. Your dog comments are quite humorous.
Thank you!
I’d never heard of practice packing before. (Though my wife always starts packing at least a week beforehand.) (Me? I pack all I need the day before. Old habit)
Enjoy your trip to Israel. I don’t think Hamas will ever disarm. They actually have said they wouldn’t. Fortunately, the live hostages have been released…
Have a great trip…
Brian
Thank you! The hope is that the surrounding Arab countries will be able to pressure Hamas to comply, but…
I know. But, but, but… Their historical record isn’t exactly favourable…
Safe and blessed travels to Israel. You are an inspiration to someone like me who is a diehard procrastinator!
Thank you!
Oh I hate packing… smart move to practice first. Someone wants to come with you, I see!
🐶
Miss Tzippy would love to go, if she could stay in her bed the whole time, like a magic carpet.
Rachel, you are so ready for this big adventure! And I am so eager to read the stories and insights you’ll share with us upon your return! Add me to the list of Tzipporah’s haircut admirers.
Thank you!
A carry on and a personal bag FTW! Ever since the airline lost my family’s checked baggage, I’ve never gone back to luggage. Good luck!
Thank you!
What a blessing it will be for you to get to go! God bless and protect, and guide you in all wisdom as you pack.
Thank you!