“You travel a lot, you’re probably traveling really light, right?” someone asked me before the trip. There are times when I travel light. When I was younger, it was because I was often traveling by backpack. Light was best. Better to wear the same grubby pair of jeans than to carry around a pack full of clothes.

Now I sometimes travel light to avoid checking a bag. Obviously these days I’m not the only one with this strategy.

But when I’m checking a bag? As a non-backpacking middle-aged traveler? Pack heavy! Bring the extra clothes! Not sure if you need nice clothes for a fancy dinner? Throw them in the suitcase!

All I need do is roll the bag from the airport to the hotel. Then roll it back to the hotel at the end of the trip. Travel heavy when it makes sense. It’s fine.