Preparing for a long trip takes a lot of effort. Apart from organising the trip itself you need to think about all those things that need doing at home like taking care of your mail, your plants, and your rent. But once you’ve taken care of all that you can walk out the door to enjoy the trip with a clear head. Here are some things to keep in mind as you tick all of those pre-trip boxes.
Learn to Carry Less
Often packing can feel like it’s harder than it should be. If you can possibly travel light going carry on only means you can be more mobile on the road, jumping on trains and buses and walking to your hotel without getting tired.
Carry on bags can save you money on airline baggage fees too and you can also save time by not waiting around at baggage claim in airports.
Protecting Your Home Base
If you’ll be travelling for a while putting your valuables in dedicated storage is a smart move. Knowing that the things you really care about will still be safe even if someone manages to get into your home will give you peace of mind as you trek through mountains or explore new cities.
Read: Five things not to do when packing for a trip
Things that deserve a safe spot as you see the world include…
- Rare books or photo albums
- Expensive kitchen gear
- Musical instruments
- Art and collectibles
- Fragile items
- Tools and hardware
Organizing Your Boxes
Boxes are a must when you pack up a room but there are a few things to keep in mind. Resist the urge to fill big boxes with heavy things. Instead, use smaller boxes for books, papers, kitchen wear and more. This will make it easier to lift and stack.
Always tape the bottom well so nothing falls out, and label every side to save time when you go to unpack at home.
Clearing Out the Living Room
Many travelers decide to rent out their rooms when they are away on a longer trip. If you can rent out your whole house or apartment, you’ll want to do a little bit more planning. Putting your valuables in a storage unit not only keeps them out of reach of strangers, it also makes the space look bigger for people looking to rent.
Finding the Best Terms
Not every trip has a set end date, so when you’re organising your storage plan it’s best to opt for something with flexible dates. That way if you’re able to work on the road you can stay for an extra six months or more in a place that you fall in love with, knowing that your belongings are still safe with just a quick phone call or email.
Looking ahead
Coming home is a big part of any great adventure. There’s nothing quite like your own bed after a big trip, and then after that big sleep you can go and pick up our valuables to bring home. Not needing to worry about whether your things are safe when you’re travelling is a relief, so enjoy the freedom of travelling carefree. Your things will be waiting for you to get back.
Thank you to Vlada Karpovich for the packing image at the top of this story.
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