My Packing Master List

A durable, trip-agnostic packing checklist. This is the source — every specific trip gets a trimmed copy: take the relevant sections, prune to the trip, decide the per-trip choices (cameras, magic props, kettlebells). Don’t pack from this directly — pack from the trimmed trip file.

It’s an items + decisions list. The process of taking time off — when to pack, airport timing, “Walmart-it if you forget,” the peak-end rule — lives at /time-off.

Many sections split Road trip (car space — heavy/bulky OK) vs Airplane (carry-on-safe, weight/liquid limits).

Magic

Decide which props per trip — don’t default to all of them. The core is my pocket kit: small enough to carry on the belt and deploy anywhere.

Pocket kit — two yellow cases

Case 1 — card sleeves
Case 2 — “You are awesome” cards + a few special cards (waltz, doubles, etc.)

Clipped to the belt

Cards — a few practice decks only
Balloons — stash of 260s (pre-make a batch before the trip so you’re not building from scratch on the spot)
Balloon pump / inflator — clips to the belt

Optional add-ons (decide per trip)

Coins — pick the set
Rubber bands — two colors (band magic / crazy man’s handcuffs)
Sponge balls — default: leave (listed so it’s a conscious skip, not a forget)

Physical Health

Sleep

Eye mask
Earplugs
Sleepwear
Neck brace — for the airplane

Exercise

Minimum viable gear. The McGill Big 3 needs zero gear — no excuse on the trip.

Always (any trip)

Peanut ball + giant lacrosse ball (back maintenance)
Resistance bands — one light, one heavy (door-hinge anchor)
Running shoes (even if “not going to run” — you will)
Sweat-wicking shorts + shirt
Lock for gym lockers

Road trip only (car space)

Kettlebells (keep in the car; don’t fly with them), gripper, heavy club, pull-up door bar

Airplane — stick to the “Always” carry-on-safe kit.

Meds

Prescription continuity — don’t run out mid-trip; plan refills ahead and pack doses appropriately. For anything that needs a fridge, see traveling with tirzepatide
Sleep aid — for long flights
Decongestant — flight ear pressure
First aid: ibuprofen, band-aids, kid staples

Glasses / eyes

Everyday glasses + sunglasses
Reading glasses — one pair
Distance glasses — only if seeing a show
Glasses wipes

Hygiene

Toiletries dupe kit (permanent grab-and-go — the perennial forget)
Toothbrush / paste / floss, deodorant, razor

Food / fuel

Always

Power bars — 1/day + 2 extras (keep them accessible, not in the trunk)
Water bottle
Snacks (drive or flight)

Road trip only

Popcorn popper, instant soup, travel scale, cooler

Tech

Road trip

Travel router — pre-configure to bypass flaky captive portals. (Captive-portal check: http://captive.apple.com/hotspot-detect.html)

Cameras (decide per trip — don’t pack all of them)

If the trip is…	Bring
Family / walk-around / easy vlog	Pocket gimbal cam (default one-cam)
Action / water / POV	360 cam + mounts + extra SD cards
Scenic / landscapes / aerials	Drone (check local rules first)

Pocket gimbal cam — default if bringing only one
360 cam — pre-mount, charge, horizon-lock before departure
Drone — confirm legal at destination + airline battery rules (carry-on only, watch Wh limits)
Selfie sticks — a tall one (overhead reach) + a pocket one (invisible-stick shots)
Extra SD cards + spare batteries + chargers for whatever’s chosen

Clothing & Luggage

Always

Underwear ×7, socks ×4
Shirts ×5
Long-sleeve / sweatshirts ×7, fleece ×1
Rain jacket ×1, pants ×1
Shoes: comfortable walkers + running shoes (waterproof option for wet climates)
Swim trunks + goggles
Foldable hat, rain hat, warm fleece cap
Sunscreen

Winter / cold trips only

Warm layer — cabins/water run colder than forecast
Base layers, gloves, beanie, heavier coat, hand warmers

Luggage

Compression straps
Travel cubes ×3 — the compressible ones are great; one bag each:
- Magic (bulk)
- Electronics (thinned out)
- Toiletries
Check the extra suitcase pocket — easy to lose bulky items in there

Documents & Money

Passport + any required immigration/travel documents
Trusted-traveler card (Global Entry / Nexus)
Wallet: ID, credit cards
Trip confirmations + lodging specifics (entry code, address, host) saved offline

Downtime / Comfort

Audiobooks (drive days)
Reusable bag / daypack

Trip-type add-ons (pull only the relevant block)

Beach / water: towels, water shoes, dry bag, extra sunscreen.
Cold / snow: see Clothing → Winter.
International: passport + travel docs, adapters, currency, eSIM/roaming, any required visas/vaccination records.
Camping / cabin off-grid: headlamp, power bank, bug spray, layered sleep system, backup food.
Conference / work travel: laptop + dongles, presentable clothes, notebook.

The “Day 2” forget-traps

The items most likely to bite on day 2 — answer these per trip:

Back maintenance — peanut ball + lacrosse ball in the bag? Costs nothing.
Magic specifics — decks / coins / balloons (pre-made?) decided?
Rain layer + waterproof shoes for wet weather?

The rules (they live elsewhere)

Travel process & timing — pack the afternoon before, Walmart-it if you forget, airport-early, the peak-end rule: /time-off.
Working on vacation — “file, don’t fix” — file an issue, don’t vibe-fix on the trip: /ai-policy.

Keep the list lean: when a trip surfaces a new reliable forget-trap, add it so the next trip inherits it; when an item stops being a problem, cut it.