Written by Rachel Grace.
When it comes to packing for a short trip, most people might toss a few essentials into a carry-on and call it a day. Not so for one woman who recently made headlines for preparing for a three-day getaway by packing a suitcase that stands a whopping 10 feet tall. Yes, you read that correctly—a suitcase taller than most NBA players. It’s safe to say that this woman took the phrase “better safe than sorry” to a whole new level, much to the amusement (and bewilderment) of her husband, who, unsurprisingly, wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
The saga began when Sarah Thompson, a suburban mom of two, decided to escape the monotony of everyday life by booking a three-day trip to a nearby resort. What should have been a simple packing process quickly escalated into a full-blown logistical challenge. Sarah, ever the over-preparer, decided that no item in her wardrobe, or life for that matter, should be left behind. After all, who knows when you might need that third pair of winter boots in the middle of August?
Her husband, Greg, watched in disbelief as Sarah proceeded to fill her gargantuan suitcase with an array of clothing, shoes, toiletries, and, because you never know, a portable waffle maker. “I thought we were just going away for a few days,” Greg reportedly said, scratching his head as he watched his wife attempt to zip up the mammoth luggage. But Sarah was undeterred. “You can never be too prepared,” she replied, hoisting the suitcase upright with the help of a small crane they had to rent to get it out the door.
Experts Weigh in: Is Bigger Always Better?
As news of Sarah’s extraordinary packing spread, it wasn’t long before travel experts began weighing in on the situation. While some praised her commitment to preparedness, others questioned the practicality—and sanity—of such an extreme approach to packing. “It’s important to be prepared, but there comes a point when you have to ask yourself if you’re overdoing it,” said one travel expert who was consulted for his opinion. “A 10-foot suitcase for a three-day trip is, shall we say, a bit excessive.”
But Sarah isn’t alone in her belief that more is more when it comes to travel. In fact, there’s a growing trend of travelers who seem to believe that they must be ready for any possible scenario, even if it means bringing along enough supplies to survive a month-long wilderness expedition. “People today have a fear of being underprepared,” explained a psychologist who specializes in travel anxiety. “It’s a form of control—if you pack everything, then nothing can go wrong.” Of course, this theory seems to fall apart when you realize that packing an entire wardrobe, plus the kitchen sink, might be more of a burden than a blessing.
Greg, meanwhile, remained skeptical of his wife’s methods. “I’m all for being prepared, but this is just ridiculous,” he said, recalling how they nearly missed their flight because they had to wait for the airline to find a way to load the suitcase into the cargo hold. “At this point, I think she’s just doing it for the challenge.”
Travel Tips from Sarah: How to Overpack in Style
In true social media fashion, Sarah has turned her packing debacle into an online sensation, with thousands of followers tuning in to see her latest over-the-top packing tips. Her advice? If you’re going to overpack, do it with style. In a series of TikTok videos, Sarah walks viewers through her process of choosing outfits for every possible scenario—from casual brunch to impromptu hiking trips—all while offering tips on how to squeeze in those last few items without bursting your suitcase at the seams.
Of course, the irony of her advice isn’t lost on her followers, many of whom have taken to the comments to express their disbelief and amusement. “Is this for real?” one commenter asked. Another chimed in with, “I love how she packed three ball gowns ‘just in case.’”
Sarah, however, remains unfazed by the criticism. “I’m just trying to help people be prepared,” she said in a recent interview. “You never know what might happen on a trip, so why not be ready for anything?” Whether her followers are taking her advice seriously or simply enjoying the spectacle, one thing is certain: Sarah has become an unlikely internet celebrity for her commitment to overpacking.
Our Take
Sarah Thompson’s 10-foot suitcase saga is a perfect example of the extremes to which people will go in the name of preparedness. While there’s something to be said for being ready for any situation, there’s also a fine line between practicality and absurdity. Packing an entire house’s worth of belongings for a three-day trip not only adds unnecessary stress but also raises questions about our society’s growing obsession with over-preparedness.
In an age where convenience and efficiency are prized, Sarah’s approach seems like a throwback to a time when people believed in bringing everything they owned on every journey. It’s almost as if the digital age, with its promises of instant access and solutions, has ironically pushed some of us back to a more primitive form of anxiety-driven behavior. And while Sarah’s suitcase might have earned her internet fame, it also serves as a humorous reminder that sometimes, less really is more.
In conclusion, if you find yourself reaching for that 10-foot suitcase for your next weekend getaway, maybe take a step back and reconsider. After all, the only thing worse than being underprepared is being the person everyone’s staring at in the airport as you try to maneuver your oversized luggage through security. Remember, the goal is to travel light, not to carry your entire house on your back.
Women going on a 3-day trip pic.twitter.com/rCqmGnQaHn
— badger (@nftbadger) August 19, 2024