I am packed. Typically, I’m zipping up the suitcase while the taxi waits impatiently in the driveway. But not this time. My backpack weighs in at 26 lbs, locked and loaded. This radical change in behaviour can only be explained by one word—panic.

I have been asked several times, “how do you pack for a five month, 50,000 kilometre, 11 country trip?” And I must admit—this question freaked me out. I have put an inordinate amount of thought into which essentials I literally want to carry on my back. To do this, I had to take a piece of my own advice: edit ruthlessly.

When I teach Business Writing I refer to the editing process in design terms: start with a clean space, then add only what is either beautiful or useful. Ideally, form and function collide leaving you unencumbered by ugly, unnecessary junk. One thing I know for sure is that I don't have the patience or upper body strength to shoulder junk, so nothing burdensome would be allowed in my pack.

Editing is all about choice. Choose what is allowed in what and what gets locked out. Part of the point of this journey is to do more and have less. Since I already have a bunch of stuff, I chose to try to be content with what I've got and only supplement where I lacked. Turns out I really did not heed much. So in went 9 tops, 9 bottoms, sleepwear, underwear, 2 scarves, 2 sweaters, runners and a raincoat,. I "added" 1 pair of sturdy sandals, 2 swim suits, a compact make-up kit and a dress that can be worn 8 different ways! And there you have it. It's light, easy to manage, and ready to be hoisted upon my back in 3 short weeks