I’ve now shared a few posts promoting controversial debates. Such as global warming and peace in the Middle East. Just kidding. I’ve pondered whether you’re a shoes-inside wearer, like pockets in clothes and think soup is a real meal or not.Ā
And there was the earth-shattering discourse on whether you are a PJs or a nightie kind of person.*
I have plenty more of these dilemmas up my sleeve because, as a keen purveyor of the human condition I tend to overanalyse ponder whether my thinking and behaviour is normal, or if I am weird and others… not-weird.
And today’s topic is unpacking. Or more specifically unpacking IMMEDIATELY.
I overnighted with my mother after we travelled to Brisbane for Christmas recently. And as is her way she unpacked her suitcase on arrival home. Before doing almost anything else. I should mention it wasn’t to separate her washing or anything as it was in its own separate bag. So… she just put her clean clothes and toiletries away and her suitcase into the cupboard. LIKE A FREAK!!!!Ā
I, on the other hand, do not unpack immediately. In fact, I rarely unpack at all. I tend to leave my suitcase or bag open and grab things as I need them until it’s almost empty and the sight of it on the sofa in my lounge room or floor of my bedroom drives the ‘neat and tidy’ me insane.
Because I often overnight at my mother’s (who lives in a neighbouring town) I usually just take a shopping bag or tote bag with a change of clothes, my medication and books. So that usually sits on my sofa half-emptied until the next week when I refill it for my next trip. Rinse repeat.Ā Although this meme is hilarious I know better than to assume either one of us is ‘right’ and though I most certainly am the more sane and sensible one, I realise that others usually fall on either side of the argument. To unpack or not to unpack… that is the question.Ā
So, where do you lie?
PS. I was tempted to broaden this to an ‘unpacking the dishwasher and laundry basket’ debate but realised that could get ugly!
* As an aside… on the issue of bedclothes, most came down on c) None of the above option.
Pic via: Instagram (click on image for link)
January 10, 2022
Hi, Deb – I definitely unoack as soon as I get home. And I do all the dishes right after a party, even if said party ends in the wee hours of the morning. š On the rare opportunities that I did not do this, I was always regretful the next day!
January 10, 2022
I definitely do the dishes, or pack the dishwasher as I hate having dirty dishes being out. It’s funny that I’m more particular about certain areas being tidy – like my living space – whereas my walk-in-wardrobe is often strewn with clothes, or a spare chair in my bedroom piled high with clothes.
January 10, 2022
Iām definitely an immediate unpacker. There is no other way. Thanks giving me a laugh to start the day
January 10, 2022
It’s funny isn’t it?! I’m sure my mum wouldn’t dream of not unpacking immediately.
January 10, 2022
Hi Deb, I must be a serial killer LOL š I always unpack as soon as I get home. Laundry on and toiletries and other things put away including the suitcase. Love the topics you come up with! Have a great week, Deb. #lifethisweek
January 10, 2022
Ha yes, I do my washing straight away and usually try to have it separated out so I can open the washing machine and just tip the clothes in there! (No separating colours/whites/delicates etc for me. Ohhh… maybe that’s the topic of another this or that post!)
January 10, 2022
I’m anal – so an open suitcase that’s half full would drive me crazy. I also need to unpack my toiletries etc and put the used clothes in the wash, so it’s easier to just unpack the lot and put the suitcase away. The overnight bag might be a different story if I needed one regularly. Another fun question – and one I’d never thought of!
January 10, 2022
I’m usually a bit anal about stuff lying about my living space but I think I’ve become accustomed to an open plastic / reusable bag sitting on my spare sofa half-full of stuff.
January 10, 2022
Hubby is an immediate unpacker from a holiday, so I follow suit. He also unloads the dishwasher and immediately puts laundry away. However, he still has not unpacked totally from our move — 6 months ago. I’m pondering now what that makes him. I know it makes me lucky he does all that, but … is he a serial killer or not? Oh and definitely yes to pockets, soup is a meal, but I’m now a barefoot inside girl and it drives hubby insane…but it’s Florida, baby. Have a great week!
January 10, 2022
I’m okay with the dishwasher… maybe not immediately it’s finished but once it’s dried and cooled. But I’m slack with my laundry as I throw it in the post-washing basket and ignore it until I need it. (And the laundry is out of the way so I don’t have to look at it all of the time.)
January 10, 2022
Me too! Both the unpacking and the washing up after a dinner party.
January 10, 2022
I always unpack immediately. If I don’t, it’s still there weeks afterwards. I am, however, a very last minute packer as in right at the last minute.
January 10, 2022
I’m a last minute packer as well…. Though sometimes I’ll start a list if I’m stressing about not being organised.
January 10, 2022
I’m one of those who unpacks the minute I get home then do the washing. I also unpack my bag and put everything away when i go to stay at and Airbnb, hotel, guest house etc – maybe I’m a serial killer???? I love pockets in dresses too š
January 10, 2022
I’m actually okay about pockets in dresses – if they’re loose dresses. My issue is always with pockets in pants that add to the bulk of my hips!
But as for unpacking while away… NOOOOOO – unless I was somewhere for weeks I guess. I might sometimes get stuff that needs to be hung in a closet out of my bag but only if I was travelling for work or had something fancy to attend. Otherwise people get me in all of my crushed glory!!!
January 10, 2022
I thought that might be the case š
January 10, 2022
My husband unpacks the minute we get home and puts everything away or in the wash. He also unpacks when we go away for a weekend and hangs things in cupboards or puts them in drawers. I just live out of my suitcase.
January 14, 2022
I do always put my washing when I get home as I like to get it out of the way. Plus I probably wear the same things all of the time so that’s a motivating factor.
January 10, 2022
I love your this or that posts, Debbie! I have too much clutter around me as it is and my life-long dream is a total decluttering, which I’m still working on since we moved here. I feel so much more calm and serene when it’s tidy around me, or when I at least have a plan about how make it tidy, so I unpack asap. Not the same day, but usually the day after.
January 14, 2022
I hate clutter as well Susanne so usually my unpacked bag is on a spare sofa in the living space or in a corner of my room. I somehow seem to be able to ignore the sofa and the corner of my bedroom when I get grumpy about mess… though if I ever get a visitor I usually whip around then and get motivated to finally put stuff away.
January 12, 2022
Ah Deb, no to leaving the bag half unpacked…but I have, in my recent years, left a basic toilet bag unpacked…from hospital stays and then I don’t need to do one again. I cannot stand that the clothes are musty from being packed and yes to washing…Here’s my thing, I “practised packed” for my one & only trip to USA knowing I would be carrying it all as it was a solo trip. Highly recommend it. No pockets in pants…I have them in most shorts and pants – side ones, for my tissues and sometimes my phone.
Thank you for sharing your post with us for Life This Week Link Up at Denyse Whelan Blogs. I hope to see you back next Monday. Denyse.
January 14, 2022
I have a few toiletry bags sitting in a closet Denyse. I think there have been various iterations over the years and I probably need to go through some and ditch 10 year old toothpaste and the like!!!