For any reformed over-packer, admitting a relapse is a significant moment. Megan French, a journalist with The West Australian's West Travel team, is making that confession publicly after a three-night staycation in Fremantle that saw her abandon her hard-won minimalist packing principles in the most glorious fashion.
The Allure of the Staycation Indulgence
French, who labels herself a recovering over-packer, checked into The Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle for a short local getaway. This time, however, she deliberately packed what she estimates to be the equivalent of a two-week international holiday. Her luggage included a medium suitcase, likely tipping over the 20-kilogram mark, and a separate overnight bag dedicated solely to journaling and craft supplies.
"Packing for this trip didn't feel stressful in the slightest," French admits. The freedom from airline weight restrictions allowed for pure indulgence: multiple face serums, three novels, and an extensive wardrobe that eliminated the need to wear "a dull, remixed version of yesterday's get-up." For her, the staycation presented the perfect opportunity to revel in choice—from outfit changes to skincare options—without the usual travel constraints.
From Packing Tetris to Crafting Chaos
The craft bag alone tells a story of joyful excess. French packed an arsenal of creative materials, including more than 20 types of washi tape, over 500 stickers, several journals, and a photo printer. She describes the haul as "absurd" but has fully made peace with it, highlighting the pleasure of being able to document her holiday creatively without limitation.
This approach stands in stark contrast to the culture of her workplace. Among the West Travel team, a common "workplace flex" is boasting about how few kilograms one packed for a trip, with carry-on only being the ultimate victory. French and her colleague Penny even dedicated an entire series of their podcast, The Pod Well Travelled, to the art and science of efficient packing.
A Call for United Confessions
French's relapse, while delightful to her, comes with a hint of office trepidation, joking that her honesty might prevent her editor, Stephen, from running the story. Nevertheless, she feels "lighter" for the confession and is curious if others occasionally indulge in their own extravagant travel habits.
She is extending an invitation to readers to share their stories of travel indulgence, uniting in a pact of non-judgmental confessions. Readers can email her at megan.french@wanews.com.au to join the conversation, with a friendly request to avoid "lecture-length telling-offs."
The piece serves as a reminder that while strategic, sparse packing has its time and place, there is also a unique joy in occasionally embracing abundance, especially when a picturesque Fremantle staycation is the backdrop.
