When we travel we create collections of things we think we’ll need. These collections of things are a snapshot in time and tell stories of ourselves: where we are in life and some challenges we face. Like the tennis balls I have joined together with duct-tape to roll along my ever-stiffening spine. Here’s what I’m taking (carry-on) to the US this weekend – top to bottom, left to right.
- A resistance band which helps me build shoulder strength through exercise.
- Black Ray Ban wayfarers sunnies – the sunnies that everyone has and I don’t care – I’ve had these a few years and they’re still going strong
- My 🇦🇺 Passport in an old Qantas toiletries case – I love these Jack Spade cases as they zip up and keep my passport and travel documents safe.
- Toothpaste, tooth brush and some Coles medistrips in an old Qantas First class toiletries case that reminds me of that one time I got upgraded to First class from Sydney to LA 😍
- Sukin facial scrub 50ml – my new favourite skincare brand – Australian, natural and reasonably priced
- A year of the Rooster pendant Kitty gave me for this year
- Some Rose quartz Kitty gave me when she went back into hospital
- Voost multivitamins – I love how these are dissolvable in water
- Qantas eye mask from a previous flight
- Korjo travel umbrella – because it’s always raining somewhere
- Rosehip face wipes from Kitty – why not
- Two ‘calm’ cards from The School of Life
- Underneath: a 2015 13” Apple MacBook Pro in a black Crumpler wetsuit sleeve (for when it wants to go 🏄 in winter)
- On top: ‘Judge This’ a TED book, from my local library, from my new favourite book series (short and interesting books)
- A double tennis ball to help un-stiffen my spine
- A Crumpler zip case with US Apple chargers – I travel to the US enough now to have US Apple Chargers too
- A single pack of Blink eye lid wipes someone recently gave me – might try these on the plane
- Shaving cream – non-aerosol
- Metamucil ‘trial’ sachets – perfect for long haul travel 👌🏻
- The body shop mango body wash – also from Kitty
- Mitchum roll on anti-perspirant – long lasting and good for travel too
- An old disposable razor – I really should get a new one
- An index card with a quote I like that I heard somewhere I can’t remember
- A nail file: a brand new thing for me – I stopped biting my nails in May this year for the first time in my life so I actually have to maintain my nails now (which is kinda annoying)
- 5 x vials of artificial tears – because you can never have too many tears 😭