I’m heading to a conference this week, which means it’s time to bust out the packing cubes.
Now, if you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you’d probably assume I’ve been using packing cubes for years. They’re tidy, structured, repeatable - basically Lean manufacturing in luggage form.
But here’s the truth: I used to refuse to use them (loudly, and annoyingly.)
No reason, really. Just stubbornness. I didn’t think I needed them.
Then one of my good friends told me he’d started using them and was shocked that I didn’t. Thankfully, he got through to me and I relented, buying my first set the next day.
Now, I think they’re so great I’m writing an entire newsletter about them, so you can see how quickly this whole thing has turned around.
Plus, they match my outfit!
I’ve tried a few different systems - packing by day, by outfit, by type - but I’ve landed on a simple approach: pack “like with like,” and then designate one cube as the laundry cube. I unpack when I get there, then start transferring worn clothes into the laundry cube as I go. By the end of the trip, everything is contained, sorted, and ready to wash. No chaos, no mystery socks hiding in the suitcase.
Supply Chain Tie In (because I just have to)
Packing cubes are like bin locations or bills of materials in a warehouse - you’re not just storing items, you’re grouping them with intention. Each cube has a purpose, and when one empties, it triggers a replenishment signal. (In this case, laundry.)
Wait - am I the problem?
Yes, the real reason I never used packing cubes wasn’t philosophy - it was stubbornness.
And I’ll admit it IF I HAVE TO: I am a stubborn person.
But I’ve been trying to work on it, mostly by catching myself in those “why am I making this harder?” moments.
Here are a few examples:
Going to the doctor.
As you’ll all remember from my scratched-eye debacle - sometimes you don’t need to “wait and see.” Old Monica would have probably waited 24 hours on that visit.Taking the medication.
I used to be the queen of “I don’t need Advil, I’ll just tough it out.” Every single time, I finally take one and think, “Wow. Immediate relief. Who could have predicted this?”Asking for help.
Whether it’s a tech problem, a heavy box, or something that clearly requires two people - there’s always that prideful moment of “I’ve got it.” I’m learning that usually, a friend could probably help.Updating the thing that’s been slightly broken for months.
There’s a woman on Instagram who records and times herself doing something she’s been putting off for weeks - like organizing her Tupperware drawer for instance. Six weeks of thinking about it, and when she finally got around to it, it only took 16 minutes. Sometimes, the build up is worse than just diving in.Podcasts
For some reason, I absolutely LOATHE the idea of Podcasts. I am stubbornly against them, even though I have actually been a guest on a few (for work.)
I will not be working on changing my feelings at this time.
Stubbornness, I’ve realized, isn’t strength - it’s usually resistance disguised as independence. And like my packing cubes, once you give in and try the “obvious” solution, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Anything stubborn you’ve overcome recently? Let me know - I love to hear it!
