What I’m Packing — and What I’m Leaving Behind

On the rituals of summer travel — and the reflection it invites

There’s something about summer that invites softness.
People go OOO. Inbox response times slow down. Dinner stretches longer. And for a few short months, the pressure to be “on” starts to loosen its grip.

Every June, I shift into my summer rhythm — leaving Miami for New York, reconnecting with friends, spending weekends out east, and always, always making space for my annual trip to the South of France. Saint-Tropez is my starting point: sun-soaked days, chic outfits, meals that turn into memories. From there, it’s usually Paris for a few days during couture week — a perfect blend of stillness and inspiration.

Travel has become a ritual I cherish. But packing?
That’s where the real reflection begins.

Packing With Intention

Because I travel so often, I’ve built a system that makes things easier.

I keep my toiletry bag fully packed at all times with everything I could need. It’s not fancy — I found it on Amazon — but it holds a lot and fits perfectly into my carry-on. My makeup has its own dedicated travel bag too, which means when it’s time to pack, I can focus on what I love most: curating outfits.

In the summer, that means linen. I love linen because it’s breathable, easy to pack, and just as chic at lunch in Saint-Tropez as it is on a warm night back in New York. I’ve found some great linen dresses and sets this year at Aritzia that pair beautifully with a designer bag and a great pair of sandals.

Before I zip up my suitcase, I run through a checklist on my favorite packing pad (also from Amazon). Sunglasses? Check. Light jacket? Check. If I forget something? Well… there’s always room for a little vacation shopping.

Saint-Tropez: My Favorite Stops

For anyone planning a visit — or daydreaming about one — here are a few of my go-to spots:

Restaurants I return to again and again:
Salama, Pan De Palais, Bahn Hoi, Maison Revka, La Voile, La Vague D'Or, Le Tigre.

Best beach club for a long lunch:
Le Club 55 — the forever classic.

Something unexpected and grounding:
Last summer I took a painting class in a garden — open air, no pressure. It was such a beautiful way to reconnect with nature and creativity.

What I’m Carrying Forward

As much as summer is about slowing down, it’s also when I reset my internal compass.

This year, I’m bringing presence with me into the next season — saying yes to fewer things so I can show up more fully for what matters. I’m focused on quality over quantity — in work, friendships, even moments with myself.

I used to believe I had to do everything, try everything, be everywhere. But lately, I’m learning that discernment is a form of self-respect. That clarity doesn’t come from cramming — it comes from choosing.

I’m also carrying confidence — the kind that lets me say no without guilt, and yes without overextending.

What I’m Leaving Behind

I’m leaving behind the need to fill every space in my schedule.
The version of me that scrambled her days to meet everyone else’s timeline.
The fear that “doing less” meant I wasn’t doing enough.

I’ve learned that you can’t move the big rocks — the meaningful work, the deep relationships, the grounding rituals — if your calendar is packed with sand.

I’m also letting go of emotional clutter: the pressure to prove, the guilt of disappointing others, the tendency to say yes from fear rather than alignment. That’s not the energy I want to carry anymore.

What’s Next

As I prepare to step into the second half of the year, I’m making space for more thoughtful choices, slower mornings, deeper connection, and presence — even in motion.

Because what I’m learning is this:
When your life is curated with care, you don’t need to carry it all.
Just what matters.

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