How to Pack (and Prep) Smarter to Stress Less Every Time You Travel

TL/DR

• Use templates for packing and pre-trip tasks to reduce stress
• Maintain duplicate toiletries and tech gear for grab-and-go travel
• Clean your house and fridge before you leave
• Start unpacking with one small action (hint: laundry!)
• A little planning now = a truly restful vacation later

The Whole Shebang:

Last week we talked about how to actually unplug on vacation.

But if you’ve ever uttered “I need a vacation from my vacation!” then you know that it’s not only work that can make that vacation seem like more trouble than it’s worth.

So, if you’re planning to take a vacation this summer (or any time!) here are some steps you can take to make your vacation much less stressful!

Before you go

• Use a packing list!
  • Make a template that you can use over and over again. (I have templates for solo trips, full family trips, camping trips, etc.)
  • Make that packing list at least a week before you go and then designate a spot in your house to put things you’ll pack.  That way, as you see them around the house, you can drop them there, making packing much less daunting. You can even use the “little by little” strategy I wrote about last week.
  • Then, when you start packing, it’s already ½ way done.
• Maintain duplicates where possible
  • Toiletries!  If you can swing it financially, buy an extra set of toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.).  Keep your toiletry kit always stocked so that instead of looking around for the 20-odd things that go in the case, you just pack your already-complete travel toiletry case and you don’t worry about missing something.
  • Cords! I think I’m not alone in saying that we all travel with electronics these days.  Right?  We need cords, chargers, etc.  Heck, we even travel with a travel router these days, and a LONG ethernet cable, just in case. If you can swing it financially, have a travel case ready to go with all the electronic accouterments you may need.
• Make a Travel To-Do template
  • There are always a bunch of tasks associated with traveling, and they tend to be pretty consistent, things like:
    • Turn off heat/AC
    • Clean out the fridge
    • Hold the mail
    • Lock all the windows
    • Set a travel alert with the credit card companies
    • Etc.
  Create a template for this, so you never worry that your electricity bill is sky-high while you’re not even there, or that there will be a fridge full of rotting food when you return! 
• Cleaning in advance
  • If you use a house cleaner, schedule them for the day before you leave.  There’s nothing like the feeling of coming back to a house that smells like bleach and sliding into clean, crisp sheets that first night back in your own bed.
  • If you don’t use a house cleaner, plan to do whatever level of cleaning feels good to you, but at the very least, make sure there are no dirty dishes left in the sink.
  • Take out the trash, recycling, and compost the night before you leave, or the morning of.  You don’t want to return to the smell of garbage.

When you return

• Unpacking
  • Make it easy on yourself!  Drop the bags in front of the washing machine and immediately get a load going. Rremember, action begets motivation!
  • Over the next day, keep the wash running until all the clothes are clean.

Now it’s your turn! 

Tell me your hacks for travel-prep.