A physical reference tome
Ask AI? No thanks. I have a hard-copy reference book lovingly written and edited by subject matter experts.
A really good sleep mask
I can’t sleep in a plane/train/car, but I use this anyway to “rest” and avoid watching half of a movie with no sound over a stranger’s shoulder. Bonus points if you need to take a daytime nap to catch up with the time change at your destination. It doesn’t have to be this one, because this one is stupidly expensive, but it has eye cups that allow you to blink in the darkness and a strap that doesn’t make my ears hurt.
Shoes that slide on and off
for going through security easily and letting your dogs out to play on the plane. Please don’t do this if you have stinky feet.
Bag o’ meds
You will probably appreciate this even if you don’t have a chronic illness. I keep Dramamine, alieve, tums, and electrolyte packets in a cute zippered pouch that’s easy to find by touch alone in my Big Bag. I am warded against all bodily discomfort like a very practical wizard.
