Minutes Concerning Travel Packing Overreaction
A four-day trip has been planned. The bag is large. The bag has not been unpacked from the last time.
To: The person responsible for the large bag From: The household Re: Travel packing overreaction, July 2022 Status: Noted, not actioned
Opening Observation
The bag was packed four days before departure, which is either very organised or a symptom, and the subject has not decided which.
The trip is a long weekend at a location three hours away. The bag is appropriate for a relocation.
Contents of Record
The bag contains, as of the date of this correspondence: two pairs of shoes for different terrain, though both locations will have the same terrain; a first aid kit that has never been opened; a collapsible bag-within-the-bag for purchases; a rain jacket for a month forecast as dry; and three books, one of which is definitely going to get read and two of which are present for morale.
The subject was asked whether the bag was heavy. The subject said no. The bag was not lifted by the person asking. This correspondence does not take a position on the weight.
Context
The subject packs for a short trip like travel systems might disappear again. This is not irrational given the preceding two years. The subject has been on two trips since early 2020. Both required a recovery day that was not marked on the calendar as recovery, but was used for recovery.
The Governing Rule
Social recovery time must be hidden inside the calendar because wanting people and needing rest are treated as opposites. The subject wanted this trip. The subject also knows they will need a day after it. These two facts are being held simultaneously, without resolution.
Consequences
After the first such trip, the recovery day was called a work-from-home day. After the second, it was called admin. The upcoming trip has already had a placeholder added to the following Monday. The placeholder is titled "catch up."
Others around the subject have noted the pattern and begun building it into plans. Nobody has mentioned this to the subject.
Current Status
The bag is ready. The trip is four days away. The bag did not need to be ready four days in advance, but it is ready, and this will probably be fine, which is the conclusion the subject would prefer and which this correspondence respectfully supplies.
The large bag will be taken. The small bag was an option. It no longer is.