Thursday · July 9, 2026 · Rome, Italy 🎒
What I Packed vs. What I Actually Needed
Repacking for Paris and laughing at what I brought.
Hey you, it's me.
As I sit here repacking my bag for the tenth time, getting ready to travel to Paris tomorrow, I started thinking about everything I actually needed on this trip, and everything I packed but never touched.
And I have to laugh.
Before I left home, I was convinced I needed options. "What if we go somewhere fancy?" "What if I need another pair of shoes?" "What if I wish I had packed one more outfit?"
Apparently, I packed for every imaginary version of this trip.
The reality has looked very different. If I could zip up my suitcase all over again, here's what I'd do.
What I packed too much of…
Clothes.
I packed enough outfits that I thought I'd feel prepared. Instead, I ended up wearing the same comfortable pieces over and over again. When you're walking miles every day, nobody is paying attention to whether you've worn that shirt before.
Shoes.
I brought more than I needed. Once I found the pair my feet loved, I reached for them almost every day. Comfort wins.
Makeup.
I packed more makeup than I ever used. By the end of the day, after the heat, the walking, and the long hours outside, I cared a lot more about sunscreen than another lipstick. There is something freeing about realizing you don't have to look perfect to enjoy your life.
What I was thankful I packed…
- My UV umbrella.
- My travel journal.
- My portable charger.
- My airplane phone holder.
- Washcloths.
Those little things made a much bigger difference than another dress ever could.
Then there was one thing I almost forgot. My airplane foot sling. Because of my fibromyalgia, long flights can be hard on my body. Compression socks don't work for me, but elevating my feet made all the difference. That little purchase earned a permanent place in my carry-on.
What I wish I'd packed…
A little more margin. Not in my suitcase. In my schedule.
I've learned I don't enjoy running from one landmark to the next just so I can say I saw everything. Some of my favorite moments happened when we wandered down a side street, lingered at a café, or stepped into a church we hadn't planned to visit. Those moments never make the itinerary. They make the memory.
I thought packing was about what fit inside my suitcase. Turns out, it's also about what I carry into each day.
I've stopped trying to pack for every possible "what if." I'm learning to trust that I'll figure things out as they come.
That lesson feels a lot bigger than travel. It feels like midlife.
I'm waiting on your note~
What is one thing you've packed for years that you've realized you don't actually need anymore? Maybe it's something in your suitcase. Maybe it's something you've been carrying in your heart. Whatever it is, maybe this is your permission to set it down. You have carried it long enough. And you might be surprised how much lighter the rest of the road feels.
Write Jenn a Note ↓I love you.
Just stay sweet out there, until my next postcard.
Sharing love from Rome,
~ Jenn
P.S. If you're planning your own trip to Europe, send me a note and I will link the travel items that genuinely made this adventure easier for me.
Before you go…
I've been getting a lot of these questions while traveling, so let me answer them before I head off to my next postcard.
You:
How many outfits should I pack for Europe?
Me:
Fewer than you think. I overpacked and ended up wearing the same comfortable pieces on repeat. When you're walking miles every day, nobody notices you've worn the same shirt twice. You'll appreciate a lighter suitcase much more than extra outfit options.
You:
What are your must-pack items?
Me:
Comfortable walking sneakers, no heels. A UV umbrella. Sunglasses. SPF lip balm. Aloe or after-sun lotion. A few washcloths. A portable charger. And if you're traveling in the summer, buy your dual-voltage hair tools before you leave. I saw curling irons selling for around €199 in Europe.
If you're only gone for a week or two, skip the bulky styling tools and treat yourself to a blowout instead. I found them to be less expensive than many salons back home, usually around €15 to €40, even with my extensions.
You:
What was the most useful thing you packed?
Me:
Honestly, the little things. My UV umbrella, portable charger, airplane phone holder, travel journal, washcloths, and airplane foot sling made a bigger difference than any extra outfit ever could.
You:
What did you overpack?
Me:
Clothes, shoes, and makeup. I packed for every imaginary version of the trip and ended up reaching for the same comfortable favorites. Leave room in your suitcase. You'll probably want to bring something home.
You:
What's the biggest packing lesson you've learned?
Me:
Pack a lighter suitcase, but also pack a lighter schedule. The best memories weren't on my itinerary. They happened while wandering side streets, lingering over coffee, and saying yes to unexpected moments.
Write Jenn a Note Back
She reads every one.