I packed like I was going to regret it. Three outfits, a dress, trainers, the toiletry bag I refuse to replace. Zipped it, waited for the 'too much stuff' moment. It never came.

Most weekenders collapse into a sack the second you add shoes. This one stayed a bag. Carried it through the terminal, shoved it under the seat, nothing spat out of the zip.

I laid the shirts in the bottom layer and stopped thinking about them. At the hotel I pulled one out and put it on. Not perfect. Wearable. That has never happened with a duffel.

Everyone said skip the light one. Station floor, a wet taxi seat, coffee that did not quite miss. Wiped it in the hotel. It looked like the photo again.

Four days, one bag. I walked past the checked-bag queue and put it in the bin. It has not made me a lighter packer. It has made the extra suitcase optional.