PPS–Packing Procrastination Syndrome (not to be confused with PMS)–is psychological, not physiological, and it strikes both women and men. And it’s a tough syndrome to overcome.
Fact: Most Treatments Fail
Fancy vitamins from Whole Foods have no effect. Anal-retentive lists made on overpriced Apple products do very little. And mysterious Chinese herbs that taste like incense don’t work, either.
Believe me–I’ve tried all of these PPS solutions and none has worked.
Before we talk solutions (and believe me, I’ve got questions for all of you packing experts out there), I must explain the symptomatology of this syndrome.
PPS: Signs, symptoms and facts
1. It’s asymptomatic (except for denial) 1 week before
What: You think you’ve got plenty of time and maybe even believe you’re getting things done. You don’t and you’re not. Like sand slipping through your fingers, time is flying by.
Why: Denial. And I don’t mean the river. (Lame, I know, but sort of funny, too…)
Solution: Remind yourself of how awful it feels to be packing at the last minute. Perhaps try to visualize/imagine what it would be like to be finished early and how good that would feel. Chant ‘om’ three times before and after the visualization and the odds of success increase threefold!
2. Weird packing superstitions kick in and suck your time
What: You find that you’re caught up in a world of silly thinking and losing time because of it. Examples: I must have my good luck travel shirt (the one that’s falling apart and doesn’t even look that great in photos) or else. And I can’t forget those lucky socks….last trip you didn’t have them and remember what happened. Silly shite like that.
Why: Not sure. Superstitious parents? Fear of bad luck or making a mistake? Perhaps it’s idiopathic (no, that doesn’t mean it’s reserved for pathetic idiots!)
Solution: Give in to some of these superstitions and let go of others (if they’re things that weigh too much or require too much thought). It’s always good to have a lucky shirt or socks with you. Just don’t go breaking any mirrors, OK?
3. If you’re normally laid back, anal retentive behaviors suddenly take over (or vice versa)
What: Most of the time, I could care less how my pharmacy products are organized. When packing, I suddenly want them counted out in little bags and sorted in logical space-efficient ways.
Also, I find I get some bizarre urges to clean. I want it to be neat while I’m getting organized. I don’t like to come back to chaos. I especially like to vacuum (really well) when I should be packing. (Normally vacuuming isn’t so important.) Odd, no? The bottom line: I lose time.
Why: Low interest in certain tasks combined with procrastination. One task is less appealing than the other, so you opt for the other one.
Solution: Give in a little and alternate. If you do, you’ll get it all done and come home to a clean, non-chaotic space. Do not organize your spices alphabetically, however. It is contraindicated per the American PPS Association.
4. Sudden and unrealistic plan-making with your friends/family at inopportune times
What: Either they want to see you or you want to see them and so, you try to squeeze everyone in and at silly times, as in, “Sure…I’ll meet you for a quick lunch between my multiple doctors’ appointments and 50 errands I’ll be running.”
Why: Perhaps you appreciate people even more when you’re not going to see them for a while? The problem: when you’re with them, you may find yourself thinking about the packing that’s not done yet and enjoy yourself less. That’s what happens to me.
Solution: Only see the people you’re super close to and try to do it a few weeks before the trip–not the week before.
5. Silly distractions lead to crucial errors in your errand running
What: You need to run about 20 errands in one day and the logistics/route must be logical and highly organized. Somehow, you deviate and get distracted by other things–eg, flipping through magazines (that you would never read otherwise) in CVS when you should be buying camera batteries and memory cards.
Why: The errand running aspects of packing can become intense. In my case, I get tired of making decisions. I want a break. I need some fun.
Solution: Reward yourself with one fun break after finishing 5 things you don’t feel like doing.
6. Murphy’s Technology Law strikes…at the worst time
What: Need to print your boarding pass? Your printer will run out of magenta ink and act like a stubborn little brat. How about your camera battery charger? It’s suddenly DOA. And of course, the spinning wheel will appear on your Mac (or the annoying hourglass on a PC) for no good reason.
Why: You waited too long. Also, these devices are ‘smart’ (not just phones); they know you’re rushing and that you need them…they feel like neglected friends and are, in some way, behaving passive aggressively. Maybe they don’t like your crisis becoming their problem?
Solution: Maintain your friendship with them. Ask for their help earlier. Thank them and give them names and gentle pats from time to time. They appreciate that.
Contraindication/Warning: Buying new technology/toys during the final week before a trip is not recommended. The learning curve can exacerbate your PPS. Believe me–I know. I just bought a new camera! Solution: Buy it two weeks before.
7. Important documents mysteriously disappear…
What: You thought you put the passport in your fanny pack or money belt. Where the hell is it? What about that yellow card with a list of crucial immunizations? Vanished. OK…time to pray. To God, saints, whomever. Whatever. Just find them!
Why: You waited until the last minute. You probably put the docs somewhere special so they don’t get lost. I do (a special file called “Important Docs”.) Sometimes, though, they slip out of the file and I think they’re lost.
Solution: Put them in a very special file? One that’s bright red? Or a special drawer just for them? Keep them in the freezer? Hard to say. Just don’t lose them!
So, there you have it. PPS. My version of it anyway. I’m sure yours is different and that’s why I’d like to hear from you. It would be fun to see what others go through. 
What do you think?
How do you deal with packing?
Are you super organized and stick to a schedule, allowing for relaxation the day before traveling? If so, please share your techniques. We PPS sufferers can learn from you.
OR…
Do you procrastinate like I do? If so, how badly? Are you up until the wee hours of the morning? Do you run out the door in a mad panic running late to the airport because of ‘one more thing’ you need to do? Feel free to share your signs/symptoms below, as well as possible solutions.
Think I’ll avoid the last-minute rush this time?
I’m flying out on Monday morning (yes, this coming Monday) and have weekend plans as I mentioned. Do you think I can have everything packed by Friday at midnight? Perhaps if I do the last-minute stuff now and vice versa–some sort of “reverse packing” scenario.
What advice do you have for me? Can/will I pull this off and enjoy my weekend? Or am I deluding myself? Will I be up late on Sunday night, tweeting about how much packing sucks?
Place your bets now!
@nomadichick (Jeannie), a fellow traveler from Vancouver, and I have a bet on whether I’ll finish packing in time to enjoy my weekend plans. If I make it, she buys me a drink. If I blow it, I buy her one. Let’s see who wins!
Thanks to Twitter friends and others
Just want to thank everyone for their advice over the past few months. I enjoyed the interaction/discussion we had when I was figuring out my next trip and which camera I would buy.
Perhaps, between my experiment and your help, I can pack this time around with much less stress. I thank you, in advance, for your interest and advice!