From Travel Go-Bag to Relocation Kit

When I was traveling for work on a regular basis, I had my “travel go bag” standardized to one carry-on bag and one laptop tote bag—toiletries included. Not only did this make packing easier, but I was proud that I knew exactly what I needed on my 3-4 day trips.

After 4 relocations in 2 years, I’m starting to find the same concept of a “travel go bag” for moving countries.

But this has been much harder to get sorted because:

• With work travel, I had a home to return to and swap out things that needed cleaning or replenishing. With relocation, I have to take everything with me from one place to the next.
• Each climate is different, so I need to carefully plan what I need for “all” climates against what’s worth lugging around with me.
• Power outlets!! With work travel a single multi-travel adapter is sufficient. With relocations across regions, I’ve amassed multiple source plug types and multiple adapters. I would love a few power bars that have multi in to multi out.
• For some items, you don’t realize how much you used them until you give them up…or how little you actually need them until you’ve taken them with you multiple times!

And living somewhere, even for 2-3 months, is decidedly different than being away from home for a week (or even a month).

With travel (or work or pleasure), you always have a home to return to.

But with serial relocations, the place you go becomes your home. And I expect to need a few more before “standardizing” my “relocation kit”.