Packing for Two Years | Mercy Ships

Where do you even start when packing up your life up to move far away for a couple of years?

Some advised me by saying “don’t take your favorite clothes.” Which I guess maybe on a month-long or something trip, but life? Living day to day? Moving longterm? I couldn’t imagine not taking my favorite clothes. I had to feel like ME. I’m a photographer, an artistic, more right-brain, and what I wear is important to me. I want to feel comfortable and capable to do my job, and also be creative and expressive. I took some time collecting some items that I began to wear regularly. It was helpful to find blogs from past Mercy Ship volunteers. I even found past photographers.

So this is dedicated to the curious, but most directly, someone trying to wrap their head around packing for 1-3 years. Here’s my small advice:

• Instead of “Two Years”, think more like 3-6 months. You will let go and collect clothes. And we don’t actually wear that many clothes.

• LAYERING - long sleeve shirt for under t shirts, light jacket, sweatshirt, rain jacket, and a coat.

• You can’t have too many socks or underwear. I swear.

• You will be shocked by how little you use. Its actually nice to not have that much (and I have a lot still)

• “test” your wardrobe for a month. Don’t where anything but what you plan to pack, and you will see what you are missing.

ALRIGHT, all that said, during a three-week quarantine, I had enough time to photograph and write up what I brought:

S H I R T S

• 5 T-Shirts

• 3 Work Out Shirts

• 10 “nicer” Tops

What I’ve Learned:

Kind of wish I had brought more “oversized” T - shirts to wear for comfy days then smaller T- Shirts.

I now have 4 black short sleeve shirts b/c I’ve found I wear them all the time.

L A Y E R I N G O P T I O N S

• 2 Sweaters

• 1 Sweatshirt

• 1 Button down

• 3 Long Sleeve Shirts

• 1 Coat

• 1 Rain Jacket

• 1 Blazer

• 2 “cardigan” / light jacket things

  What I’ve Learned:

  In reflection, I brought quite a bit of warm clothing. Not sure how this will pane out when in Africa, but very thankful I packed many different layering options for living in Belgium. Also, the ship can be quite chilly with air-con

  So glad I brought a blazer and the 2 cardigan things for work!

P A N T S

• 1 pair of dress wide legged pants

• 1 pair of scrub bottoms

• 1 pair of leggings

• 2 pairs of sweatpants

• 1 pair of pjs

• 2 pairs of nike shorts

• 1 pair of black spandex shorts

• 1 pair of pj bottoms

What I’ve Learned:

I would have brought another nice-ish black pair of pants, so I had two.

Wish I had brought my fablectics leggings… they really are elite. haha

Sleep shorts are unnecessary.

D R E S S E S & O V E R A L L S

• 4 Dresses

• 2 Jumpsuits

• 3 Overalls (my staples)

What I’ve Learned:

Cotton overalls are literally the best.

M I S C & T O I L T R I E S

• 3 Scarves & neck tie & headband

• 2 Bathing Suits

• 4-6 Masks

• 6 Sports Bras & 2 reg Bras

• 14 pairs of underwear (0 regrets)

• 10 pairs of socks (I have acquired more)

• Hot Water Bottle

• 2 sunscreen bottles

• 1 Hand Towel (form the lovely Liz and Jd Wilson)

• 1 Personal Towel

• Personal medications (Advil, Neosporin, ect.)

• Dry Brush, 2 combs, Shower Toiletries, Razor, 4 deodorants, makeup bag & makeup, few replacements for makeup items, vaseline, perfume, q-tips, hair bands, 4 toothbrushes, toothpaste, scissors.

• seam ripper (for tags, cause I HATE tags that are scratchy)

• Jewelry (earrings, necklaces, and rings)

  What I’ve Learned:

  I originally brought like 8 pairs of socks, and now I have 20.

  Very glad I brought a spare towel for my hair or for the pool or beach.

  You know what is important for you - small things that other people see as “unnecessary” are the things that make you feel at home. So don’t doubt yourself.

E L E C T R O N I C S & M I S C

• Camera: Canon Mark IV & Canon 35mm 1.4

• 3 camera batteries & 2 chargers

• Camera Strap

• 3 Sanddisk 1 TB drives

• 1 Ipad & Ipad pen

• Personal 15 Inch Mac & Charger

• 1 Set of Sony Headphones

• Airpods

• Earphones

• 1 Bluetooth Speaker

• 4 charging boxes (1 is dual)

• Card reader

• 3 Iphone charging cords

• Wallet, Bank Cards, Cash, Passport, & Yellow Fever Vaccination card

• 3 Work Journals

• 1 Personal Journal & Bible

• Watercolor

• Personal photos & cards to decorate with

• Water Bottle

• Lunch Box

Shoes:

• Work-Out / Running Shoes

• Sneakers

• Tevas (hurricane drifts)

• Platform sandals

• Rain Boots (I WEAR THESE MOST DAYS!?)

• Platform Heels (FAV)

What I’ve Learned:

I actually have already bought a new pair of sneakers and left behind the platform sandals.

Not sure this is relevant for those moving to hotter climates, but I live in a colder climate, so the rain boots have been my daily wear.

I hope this was helpful, friends!

Feel free to reach out. I hope in a couple of years I can update what I pack. I’ll be curious to see what I keep and let go of.