In a shocking revelation that has left travel enthusiasts and holiday lovers alike reeling, experts have suggested that travelers are more stressed about packing for the holiday season than they are about their actual destination. “It’s a verified phenomenon,” said Dr. Sandy Suitcase, a renowned travel psychologist. “People seem to think that if their luggage is perfectly organized, they will somehow acquire the peace of mind usually reserved for monks on meditation retreats.” In a recent study, it was discovered that the average person spends approximately 72 hours over the course of a week simply deciding whether to bring the purple sweater that could match three outfits or the red one that matches only two but is oh-so-cozy. “This is why we recommend a checklist,” Dr. Suitcase advised. “If people can’t decide what to bring, it’s better to eliminate items using an arbitrary system rather than emotional distress. Why debate about festively themed pajamas when you can just write 'festive vacation attire' on the list and hope for the best?” The anxiety doesn’t stop there, as travelers furiously write lists of things to do before their trips, inadvertently creating an Entropy Matrix™—a never-ending spiral of tasks that only multiplies their stress. “I once had a client spend five hours determining whether bananas or granola bars were a better snack for the journey. The granola bars won, but not without an accompanying existential crisis,” recounted one overworked travel agent. In response to this alarming trend, holiday travel companies are rolling out a new service called “Zen Packing.” For a mere $999, a professional packing expert will come to your home, assess your wardrobe, and create an elaborate packing plan customized for your “grocery store run” to Grandma’s house. “They’ll even handle the existential dread over gifts—you simply show up at your destination with an unremarkable bag and a smile,” said a spokesperson for the company. Meanwhile, the #HolidayTravelZenChallenge has taken social media by storm, where participants share creative packing hacks while simultaneously lamenting the emotional weight of this season’s travel. Posts dominantly feature minimalistic packing cubes and chaotic Christmas sweaters, along with captions like “Day 3 of packing: just remembered I need to include my sanity.” As we inch closer to the holiday season, experts recommend forming a support group for travelers, preferably one that meets over a cozy cup of cocoa, where members can share stories of lost luggage and existential packing dilemmas. “The best part is you can all take turns comforting each other about inappropriate sock choices," quipped Dr. Suitcase. So as families gear up for another year of vibrantly dysfunctional holiday gatherings, perhaps the only thing they’ll need to pack is a hefty dose of humor and a vague sense of acceptance regarding their luggage choices. Because in the end, it’s not about the packing—it’s about surviving the journey with a modicum of sanity intact.