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a twenties pov · Jul 10, 2026

the perfect packing lists, à la Joan Didion

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Anastasia Krogh · a twenties pov

Since graduating high school, I have moved to a different place every year. Eight times in the past eight years. Four countries, four student accommodation, two studio apartments, and one house later, I would consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to making packing lists.

Were I not extremely meticulous and organised - a type A poster child - I would most likely have had to revisit my love for always being one step away from uprooting my life elsewhere. Nevertheless, my love for discovering new countries, new cultures, and new places has made me somewhat of an expert on what to pack in one’s bag depending on where one goes.

I have made hundreds of lists over the years, yet each of them has always had the same items again and again, regardless of where I was or where I was going. So for those of you that always struggle to think of what to pack, or for those of you that simply wish to compare my lists with your own, please enjoy the items you’ll always find in my packing lists.

the everyday bag (here’s mine)

  • wallet

  • notebook/journal and pencil case

  • gum (for a minty breath), honey drops (for a sore throat) and liquorice (for feeling dizzy/faint)

  • lip balm/ lip gloss/ lipstick

  • sunglasses

  • digital camera

  • two sample perfumes

  • kindle and/or book (my current favourites: Cleopatra and Frankenstein, Yesteryear and The Wedding People)

  • travel hair brush, a French pin and a satin hair tie

  • corded earbuds

  • house keys

  • hand sanitiser

  • pad/ tampon

  • plasters/ medicine

  • jewellery

the weekender bag (here’s mine)

  • pyjamas

  • dental care (toothpaste, toothbrush and tongue scraper)

  • body, face and hair care (dove soap, lotion, face cream, serum, hair oil and hair brush)

  • deodorant and travel perfume

  • blue light glasses

  • cotton underwear

  • favourites jeans (my current favourites: Levi’s ribcage bell and icon skirt)

  • 100% wool sweater

  • tees

  • socks

  • sneakers and loafers

  • vitamins, supplements and tea pouches

  • water bottle

  • charger + adapter

  • raincoat and/or umbrella

  • bath bombs/ soaks

  • hot water bottle

  • travel jewellery box

  • sweet treat (my current favourite: Tony’s milk caramel sea salt chocolate bar)

the beach bag (here’s where mine is from)

  • 2 swimsuits (one for tanning one for swimming)

  • book

  • sudoku book and pencil

  • spray SPF

  • water

  • cash (for drinks + ice cream stands)

  • sunglasses and/or hat

  • flipflops

  • plastic pouch (to prevent water damage for phone, cash…)

  • fruits (my current favourites: watermelon, peaches, strawberries)

wallet (here’s mine)

  • payment cards

  • museum cards

  • cash (+ coins)

  • picture or note from a loved one

  • ibuprofen

  • driving license/ ID

  • health care

  • cafe punch/stamp card

  • dried flower, sea shell, small stone…

I hope you’ve found these lists useful, and if there’s anything you think I missed, please let me know in the comments!

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Love,

Anastasia

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