The Art of Overpacking (and Over-Planning)

A few weeks ago, I watched my childless friends pack for their month-long European adventure: one small carry-on, a phone charger, and the confidence of people who no longer have to explain why Goldfish crackers are a legitimate travel essential.

Meanwhile, I'm over here preparing for a five-day trip to visit my brother in California like I'm mounting an expedition to base camp Everest. Seven outfit changes per child (because someone will spill something on the backup outfit), enough snacks to feed a small village, three different types of wipes, emergency entertainment for every possible meltdown scenario, and yes, that ratty stuffed babydoll that hasn't been washed since 2019 but is apparently crucial for survival.

I digress.

My pre-kid self would have laughed at this chaos.

Gone are the days of booking a flight the week before and throwing a trip together (for now).

When you're traveling with little ones, you quickly learn that redundancy isn't paranoia – it's survival. 

While I’ve gotten more efficient over time, I still pack and repack several times before we travel. I still double and triple check for essential items. And my luggage still typically earns the “heavy” tag - despite my best efforts.

Estate planning works the same way.

You don't create a will because you're planning to die next Tuesday. 

You do it because life is unpredictable, and the people you love deserve better than having to figure everything out while they're grieving. 

You set up your emergency contacts, organize those important documents, and yes, have those tough conversations about who gets the kids– not because you're morbid, but because you've learned that preparation is an act of love.

Remember when "roughing it" meant staying in a hostel? Now it means forgetting to pack the white noise machine. 

Your travel priorities shift dramatically once you're responsible for small humans who have very strong opinions about everything from airplane snacks to the temperature of the hotel pool.

Your estate planning needs will evolve, too.

That simple will you drafted when you were 25 and owned nothing but student debt and a houseplant? Probably time for an upgrade.

Now you've got kids who need guardians, a house with a mortgage, retirement accounts, and possibly even life insurance that your younger self swore you'd never need.

Single? Your concerns might focus on who handles your affairs and where your assets go. 

Married with young kids? You're thinking about guardianship, education funding, and making sure your spouse isn't drowning in financial decisions during an already overwhelming time. 

Empty nesters? Time to consider long-term needs, legacy planning, and whether your adult children actually want that antique furniture collection.

There's something magical that happens when you're truly prepared for a family trip. You still expect chaos – because that’s life– but you're ready for it. You can actually enjoy the vacation instead of spending it stressed about everything that could go wrong.

The same principle applies to estate planning. When your affairs are in order, you know that your family is protected and you’ve contemplated exactly what would happen in your absence (hopefully wayyy down the road!).

At My Pink Lawyer®, we understand that taking that first step towards planning can feel overwhelming. The good news is: you don't have to solve everything at once. We have processes in place to simplify the process - and we’ll ask the right questions to get the information we need.

Whether you're packing for a weekend getaway or planning for your family's future, the key is the same: think ahead, prepare for multiple scenarios, and remember that your needs will change as your life does.

Because when it comes to protecting the people you love – whether from vacation meltdowns or life's bigger uncertainties – there's really no such thing as being too prepared.

Amanda “Here for the Peace of Mind Dividends” Lynch Elliott