Stress-Free Holiday Prep Guide
Summertime is here and for many of us this means migrating for a week or two to sunnier climes (if we are lucky) for our annual summer holiday. This is a chance for us to reset, reconnect, relax and enjoy a break from the pressures of the everyday.
But rather like Christmas, there is a lot to do in preparation for a summer holiday, and this can be stressful! So let’s show ourselves some love and prepare as much as possible to make sure that this is as much a break for you, as it is for others. Here’s my guide to stress-free holiday preparations.
5 things to do before you depart
Create a pre-travel checklist. You can create your own, or these can easily be found online. The post office website has a comprehensive set of checklists including holiday packing, a pre-travel checklist and checklists for different holiday types. The link is below.
Print your checklist off or create it on your notes app and enjoy the process of checking off the tasks knowing that you will be rewarded with a stress free holiday.
Create a packing list. As with the pre-travel checklist, save it on your notes app and keep it for future trips. Use an online resource such as the post office packing checklist (link below) to get you started, but remember to add things that will be particular to you and your family's circumstances.
Invest in packing cubes to organise and compartmentalise the contents of your luggage. You may want to take this further and use different coloured cubes for each family member. These make packing and unpacking a doddle (you don’t even have to unpack, just unzip the cubes and put them in the drawers!)
Give your home a quick once over (including the bathrooms). I know I know - the last thing you want to do after all that packing is a quick dust and vacuum, but would you do it for a friend? Imagine their feelings of gratitude when they walk through the door on their return, and how that in turn would make you feel. Your future self is that friend, and they will thank you for it.
Change your bed linen and make your beds. Invest this time and energy for your future selves. Trust me on this, you will be grateful when you return home.
It’s important to allow at least a full day for packing, checking off your to-dos and getting your home straight before you leave. Having this time set aside is a comfort and a true investment in your time, and future energy and stress levels.
And before you finally do set off, make sure you do one final check of your checklists and (crucially) make sure everyone has had a wee!
