The night before I leave on a big trip, or any trip for that matter, is usually a chaotic scene. I prioritize poorly. I start deep cleaning my apartment before I have even decided what to pack. I commence painting my nails in a hurried fashion, only to have them look like the work of a person blindfolded. And yet, every time I schedule new travel plans I always promise myself, “This time, I will be organized”.
While traveling is an exciting experience, it can be a stressful one before departure. I usually have a million and one things to accomplish, things I put off for more impractical tasks like scrubbing the kitchen sink. I hate to come home to a messy home, especially after experiencing random hotel rooms for weeks. Then there is work. I always seem to have so much to do before a big trip. Emails have not been returned. Articles are still not written. I always swear to myself I will not procrastinate when I have the extra time, and yet I always do. Throw into the mix packing. I have always loved packing, but I never seem to do it right. It is a mad rush to figure out what will fit at 2AM when I have to be up in 3 hours. And for my upcoming trip to Europe, I made a pledge to myself that I would organize, not procrastinate and have a relaxing evening before I take off the next morning.
What I hope to look like the night before a big trip
Just as you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, I doubted I could do this. While I still have loads of work to do, an apartment to clean and a bag that needs to be packed with all manner of winter for Eastern Europe, I have already avoided the stresses of last minute trip preparation by imploring the following techniques. If you too find yourself a crazy mess by the time you get to the gate due to last minute trip prep, you might want to consider trying these tips out for yourself.
Pack One Area of Clothing A Day Beginning The Week Before Departure
A late night packing session hours before you leave might be the most stressful of pre-travel scenarios. This time for my trip to Europe, I started packing last Saturday. I began laying out different potentials to see what would work and what wouldn’t. For me, it is best to focus on one area of clothing per day. Figure out what pajamas you need to take one day and set them aside. The next day might be pants and the next day could be sweaters. I usually go through my layers of clothing so that I don’t forget anything: underwear, pants, tank tops, shirts, sweaters, jackets, socks and shoes. By breaking up my packing over the course of a week, I can do a little bit here and a little bit there without feeling overwhelmed.
Utilize Layover Time
My layover in Chicago will lend me around 5 hours of time. While I would probably love to sit and read magazines for those 5 hours, I have already set my mind to getting ahead on work. Sometimes in the excitement of a new destination, we forget to charge all of our electronics or use the time wisely. I have been guilty of this fact on more than one occasion. If you have free time before your planned exodus from home, don’t waste it, right down to the hours before lift off. I also find on long haul flights that if I am exhausted when I board the plane, I have a better chance of sleeping. Layover time is not the time for just sitting and relaxing. Accomplish something while you can still move around freely. Using time wisely can be facilitated by knowing your airport of layover residence extensively by using apps like Gate Guru. Also, coughing up the price of a day pass for airline lounges can also be worth it if you want a quiet place to work on your layover.
Set Goals and Place The Frivolous Last On The List
I have to paint my nails and toes whenever I leave on a trip. Perhaps it is the 14 year old in me, but it is one of those frivolous things I generally do at the 11th hour before a flight. This go-around, I have set goals based on their importance. Finishing work and returning emails must come before the frivolous. Cleaning my entire apartment will be last on the list. By setting goals, I only spend the most allotted time to the things of greatest importance. If it’s 6 PM on Friday and I have crossed off the most pressing items on my list, I can then move on to the frivolous.
How do you avoid that last minute travel prep stress and chaos?
Painted nails and a clean apartment are by no means frivolous. Hope you had time to get that done as well, and that you choose a great nail color!
I’m hoping to have a cleaning and painting nail day on Friday. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks these tasks are necessities before a big travel day.
I have been known to stuff clothes into my bag as I run out the door at 4am before a 6am flight – I think I thrive under the pressure!
Usually the drive to the airport is where I try and alleviate my stress. It’s a lonnnngg drive on Pena Boulevard and I’m usually making the drive in the dark. It’s peaceful out on the plains of Colorado and it’s a great time to clear my head before a trip.
I do like that drive on Pena Boulevard. Once I am through the 225 mess I can finally relax!
Hahaha! I so recogtnized me in your first paragraph 🙂 I travel so often that it is really crazy that I have not yet figured out a way NOT to end up in chaos the night before. Good tips!
Thanks Sabrina! I know, you would think by this point we would have the pre-travel chaos tamed!
I’m a pre-flight packing procrastinator myself, but I think it’s because I love that night-before excitement. You’ve got to get every adrenaline rush in you can! -Veronica
I’m barely organized for anything else, but travel is where I shine. I have detailed packing lists and itineraries and have my whole bag packed (besides whatever I need to use until I leave, like glasses) a month before I leave. People usually think I’m crazy, but it gives me the feeling of accomplishment I need to get to the “frivolous” things on my list and get ahead with work that I may not have time to do while I’m gone…allowing me to feel free to relax and have a good time.
I am so in the same boat. I plan and plan and plan and yet always end up packing like a crazy woman the night before my trip. Then I end up sitting in a hostel wondering why I brought 7 cardigans and no pajamas.
I might be like that when I pack for my Central America trip soon. Gahh! Hope it’s not too cold out in Europe!
Great tips – I’m usually so excited to get out the door, I start putting “travel stuff” in one spot in spare room the minute my flight is booked.