The Backpack Person on Public Transit

“What the heck are they packing?” — One reader/writer’s inspiring, handy answers.

This story is about the mystery of people who travel public transit with giant backpacks stuffed to the brim. But it’s really to inspire people who read and write to be prepared to read and write. It’s got some advice in it, too, for getting ideas, and mentions a forgotten type of writing that will make people in your life happy.

Reading and writing can turn you into The Backpack Person on public transit. You know, that person who has an overloaded backpack and you ask, “What the heck are they packing?”

I am one of these people.

You can guess some of what’s in my bulging backpack, I’m sure — you see the jackets and water bottles spilling out plain enough. The general reasons people ride public transit clue you in, too: riders are either working or touring. So maybe there is job-related stuff in there, or sunscreen and food.

Indeed there is destination-stuff in my pack — work items, cameras, and snacks.

Yes! But that doesn’t explain how the zippers strain on our packs, mine among them! It doesn’t explain why these bags are so much bigger than the wallets and purses carried by those sitting next to us!

As a paper-lover, the answer here is a lot of books.

As a writer, another answer is a giant old laptop. (Lots of big ideas come out of the relaxed mind — and I find public transit relaxing).

There’s a third set of things I carry that no one has ever guessed. No one I’ve ever met brings these things along wherever they go.

May I convince you to pack what I pack? My reader/writer’s backpack list equips one to dream more, read more, and be read more (looking at you, fellow Medium writers!).

The end of the story may surprise you with how.

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