The Hardest Part of Traveling Isn't Choosing the Cruise - It's Choosing What to Pack

When my husband turned 65 last week, we celebrated with a West Coast cruise. (Yes, I robbed the cradle—he robbed the grave. We call it even.)

It was everything I needed and nothing I expected. I told myself I’d get a little work done between ports. I didn’t. I sang and danced instead—more than I have in years. At home, I’m a little more reserved, but on a cruise? My inner Lola comes out to play.

For the uninitiated, Lola is my spirited soul-sister self. She’s the bolder, sassier version of me. She orders the Prosecco, says yes to the dance floor, and believes sparkle is a neutral. She reminds me that joy isn’t frivolous. It’s fuel.

But before any of that could happen, there was the packing.

And let me tell you, choosing the cruise was the easy part. Choosing what to put in the suitcase? Now that was the real mental workout.

Because packing is never just about clothes. It’s about identity.

Who will I be on this trip? Do I pack the linen pants that whisper “relaxed and refined,” or the sequined party pants that shout “fun and free”? Do I prepare for adventure or comfort, or dare I say, both?

Every outfit tells a story, and sometimes, we’re not sure which story we want to live into.

Maybe that’s why I overthink packing. It’s not vanity, it’s vulnerability. The suitcase is a microcosm of life: deciding what to carry, what to leave behind, and what version of yourself gets to come along for the ride.

This time, I decided to let Lola pack. She threw in the sparkle, the little black dress, and the chandelier earrings that replaced my usual pearl studs. She insisted on those sequined party pants, and I listened.

And you know what? She was right. The best moments weren’t the ones I planned. They were the ones I let happen. I may not have opened my laptop, but I opened something better. Myself.

So if you’re standing in front of an open suitcase—or an open decision—wondering what to take with you, here’s a thought: Pack the things that make you feel most you. 

The rest will find its way.

Copyright 2025: Helene Oseen