LAX to Sydney - from the window of the plane
I procrastinated on packing pretty much until the day before - considering how I've traveled for work 3 times every month if not more) for the past 2 years, this just seemed like any other trip and my mind didn't allow me to start packing any earlier than the day before. The reality of how this trip is in fact very different didn't really sink in until I started packing, even though I knew very well that this isn't like any of my previous trips.
I was kind of wrong about being able to pack how I used to. The usual formula of 3 sets of work clothes (dresses, stockings, cardigan), 2 pairs of shoes, and 2 sets of casual clothes was nowhere near what I needed on this trip. This time, I was going through 5 countries in the span of 3 months, all with significantly different climates. There are only so many travel blogs you can read and packing videos you can watch to help with the process, but even after all my research and belief that I knew exactly what to do, I inevitably ran into problems right from the start. The first problem I ran into was trying to fit everything I needed for at least the next 3 months into a backpack and this didn't end up working half as well as I expected it to, especially with my determination to bring my DSLR camera. Then, I considered packing only a backpack and a duffel bag, which I was successful in, but the weight of everything made it difficult for me to even stand straight.
That's what led to where I am now, sitting in a corner in the Sydney airport after almost leaving my carry-on suitcase at the kiosk where I purchased my sims card for my time in Australia. But hey, everything else went extremely smoothly - no delays, sat next to normal people on the plane, was not squished in a middle seat, slept really well (considering I was sleeping on the plane), watched a Spielberg documentary and "The Minority Report" on the plane, and made it to Sydney - so I'm feeling pretty accomplished.