30L Packing List for 2 Months in the UK

Behold! I am finally done with packing - or rather with optimising my pack, a process which seemed endless given my propensity to try out new gadgets, gear, and hacks.

My biggest packing challenge was anticipating cold and wet weather. At war were my conflicting desires to be weatherproof vs comfortable - yes, the two are mutually exclusive.

It took a long time but I finally made the necessary compromises. In summary, I plan to take a brolly and the good (i.e. breathable and presentable) rain shell rather than the cheapo Decathlon poncho. I've had to master my terror of getting my feet wet as well. I am bringing 2 pairs of regular shoes (not wellies) and just hope that swapping them while the other dries will be good enough.

The other issue is the length of our trip. 2 months feels like an extremely long time and I've had to fight the compulsion to pack unnecessary clothes just to give myself "options" in case I "get bored of wearing the same thing". Well 2 months is nothing more than 8 x weeklong holidays. So all I need really is just clothes for a week.

Finally, I had to practise radical self-acceptance than force myself into someone else's semblance. This means indulging my need to have 2 bulky jackets - need a backup in case one gets wet!! - and 3 books instead of an e-reader. I'm just not a cool minimalist.

So... I give you...

Packing List

7 pairs undies (5 regular, 2 boxers for sleeping)

2 bras

2 fleece base layers (1 thin, 1 thick)

2 jackets (1 down, 1 fleece)

2 pairs leggings (1 for outdoors, 1 for sleeping)

2 pairs socks

Scarf/snood/buff/whatever it's called

Gloves

3(!!) bags (1 backpack, 1 packable sling, 1 packable duffle)

2 pairs shoes (Skechers for walking, Crocs for wet weather or wearing indoors)

Travel things (rain jacket, brolly, thermos, water bottle, cutlery)

Junk bag (moisturiser, menstrual cup, e-toothbrush, lip balm, earplugs, nail clippers, floss, meds, emergency hand warmers, cable ties, safety pins, bungee cord)

Stationery & electronics (notebook, pens, pencils, sharpener, cable, power bank)

3 books (Kidnapped, Shirley, and Decline and Fall)

How It All Works

My choice of vessel is a cabin size suitcase, which I formerly eschewed for being too bourgeois - but now (perforce) embrace in old age and old injuries.

However, if it's cold and I'm wearing thick jackets, I can easily fit the remainder in my 17L backpack and that won't weigh much. If I exercise this option I can leave my suitcase behind in London and collect it on the way home. We'll see how that goes.

I have selected clothes that can be worn together in layers if it gets really cold. (For instance: thin base layer, then thick fleece jacket, then down jacket, then rain jacket.) 

My daily pants are water-repellent leggings which trap a lot of body heat. If I need an extra layer I will wear my fleece-lined leggings underneath.

I'll probably do laundry once a week, making my clothes last by rotating and airing my base layers, including socks. If there's no washing machine I can hand wash my underwear in the shower in a pinch.