It’s almost that time. The trip you’ve had planned for months is only a few days away! Take a moment and refocus, because there is still work to do. As exciting as it is to be travelling to either your favorite destination or somewhere completely new, there are some things that need to be taken care of to ensure that you can have the time of your life.
Did I leave the oven on? Did I remember to lock the back door? These are just a few of the many minor details that all travelers tend to overlook before embarking on their big trip. Nail your vacation, don’t bite your nails over things you may have forgotten to do. To avoid the last-minute chaos, do yourself a favor and create a travel preparation checklist that includes many of the minor details like some of the ones listed below.
Don’t Forget To Pack ______!
We’ve all experienced that feeling; “I feel like I’m forgetting something.” Chances are, you’ve forgotten something basic, yet important. Here are a few (commonly) overlooked items:
● Wellness Necessities: Toothbrush and toothpaste, medication, sunscreen, insect repellant, small first-aid items, personal hygiene items
● Electronics: Headphones, adapters, chargers
● Travel Documents: Visa, Passport, personal ID, insurance card, frequent flyer card
● Accessories: Wallet, Sunglasses, umbrellas or ponchos
Most of us are guilty of overpacking. This is due to the many “what-if” scenarios that run through our heads. Put these to rest and remember that they are, after all, “what-ifs”. Here are a few things to remember in order to keep your suitcase limited to the essentials.
The Basics: Remember, your clothes can be layered in many ways. For example, a t-shirt can be layered with a jacket one day, and a hoodie the next. The same concept applies for jeans or shorts, as you should only need a few pairs; not the entire closet. Finally, your shoes. Make sure you pack a comfortable pair that can serve many purposes, and possibly a pair for “dressing-up”.
Hotels Give You Things: A commonly overlooked fact is that most hotels give you free things. This includes towels, wash cloths, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Dependent on where you’re staying, more amenities may be available to you; resulting in less luggage.
Prepare
Aside from packing, travelers need to remember to take care of things in and around their homes before embarking on their expedition. Below are some last-minute “to-do’s”:
Pets: Unfortunately, our pets cannot always travel with us. If this is the case, make sure that you arrange proper accommodations for them. You could consider placing your furry friend in a daycare or kennel, but making arrangements to have them stay at home is probably best. Reach out to family or friends, or check out Rover. Rover is an app where you can find pet sitters in your area.
Maintenance: Don’t leave your house without doing some “house cleaning” items. Sort through your refrigerator and cabinets to identify and dispose of foods that will perish. This way, you can avoid coming home to chunky milk or moldy leftovers. Be sure to also wipe down surfaces. Finally, be conscious of what temperature you leave the thermostat at. Ensure that the temperature will keep your home functioning properly.
Security: Be sure to lock all windows, doors, and outdoor gates. Furthermore, store important belongings in a safe place. Take a few loops around the house and unplug electronics and appliances (that can be unplugged). If you’re expecting to be gone for a while, you might want to have an alarm system installed. Furthermore, you may want to consider a home protection plan to protect your belongings.
Now, Enjoy!
By considering and taking care of the things on this checklist, you can ensure that all worries will be left behind. It’ll finally be time to kick back, relax, and unplug yourself from everything!
