I’m getting ready for a big trip soon, and I always feel like trip prep is way more stressful than it should be. Last time, I spent hours packing and still forgot my charger lol. This time, I’ve got a ton to do—packing, organizing documents, and making sure I don’t forget random things like sunscreen or my passport.
I’m curious—what’s the most annoying or stressful part of getting ready for your trips? Is it packing, keeping track of to-dos, or something else? And how do you deal with it?
If you plan to travel regularly then make a packing list. Improve the list over time. My list is more than 20 years old, and I’m still adding to it. I would forget a lot of things every time if I didn’t have a packing list.
Store all items that you only use while traveling together. Items such as toothbrush holder, travel-size toiletries, etc. We store what we can in our luggage and the rest in a box. The luggage never gets fully emptied; anything we won’t use until the next trip stays in the luggage.
@Kiran
Packing lists are brilliant! I love my packing lists (one for suitcase and one for backpack/carryon) for all of my regular trips. The lists have really helped me with packing and getting organized, and minimizing my stress.
@Kiran
I also store extra clothes in my suitcases that I only wear on vacations. Underthings, socks, PJs, etc.
I love having vacation-specific stuff so I can pack, close up the suitcase and not have to wait for the last load of laundry to be done!
@Kiran
I keep things in my luggage too. It helps a lot when trying to get ready because it’s already there.
Tracking bookings, particularly plane and train booking, to make sure they’re holding up and making a bunch of provisional plan Bs in case they’re altered or canceled.
Worrying that you will pick up some illness the week before.
Also, I have a last-minute panic attack about taking my medication through customs the week before - even though I checked months ago.
Lex said:
Worrying that you will pick up some illness the week before.
Also, I have a last-minute panic attack about taking my medication through customs the week before - even though I checked months ago.
This. I would be healthy the entire month before the trip. But as soon as the week of the trip arrives, I would start to feel an itch in my throat or wake up with a runny nose.
@Aveline
Same here!
Sleeping the night before departure.
I’m very good at planning, making lists, packing, booking ahead, but I’m really bad at directions / reading maps. I literally have to be physically somewhere to make sense of a space. This makes me so frustrated / anxious as I can’t really figure out how to get from point A to point B without a lot of hard work (including trying to visualize it using Google street view).
@August
I have no internal compass, and also have to be at my destination, figuring it out as I need. So I wear Google Maps out once I’m there, and take a big portable charger with me every time I leave the hotel. Also, I use public transport and cabs/Ubers. (I’ve learned to love the London Underground!) I really don’t stress too much about it, though; just give myself plenty of time to get to the theater, or rendezvous place, or whatever.
@Abi
The Organic Maps app (crowd-sourced, free) lets/requires you download the data in advance (WiFi or home cell network) avoiding use of local cell data or the cell system at all. You can leave the phone in Airplane mode, stop the cell-signal battery drain because it only needs your phone’s GPS. It’s detailed enough to show paths and picnic tables in city parks, the search function if asked for ‘hardware store’ will find you ferramentas in Italy and it can route you there by car, foot, or transit.
Ensuring the suitcase is the correct weight, maybe just under the given limit.
Vega said:
Ensuring the suitcase is the correct weight, maybe just under the given limit.
Buy a baggage scale so you know before you go.
Vega said:
Ensuring the suitcase is the correct weight, maybe just under the given limit.
Buy a baggage scale so you know before you go.
Can’t you just use a normal scale? Lol
@Jules
If you have a baggage scale in your carry-on then you know that you’re under on your return flight too. I always worry that whatever I buy will put me over the limit.
Vega said:
Ensuring the suitcase is the correct weight, maybe just under the given limit.
Buy a baggage scale so you know before you go.
We have managed to borrow one that we’ll use before we go and on our way home.
@Vega
You are taking a scale with you?