Spring has sprung and that means summer is right around the corner! Hopefully you’ve already started your countdown to a much-needed vacation, or, you’ll have the opportunity to soon plan a trip to enjoy in the next couple of months. (If not, take this as your sign: Plan that trip!! You’ve earned it!). Taking a vacation should mean the same thing for someone with ADHD as it does for everyone else: relaxation! If you take the following tips to heart, you’ll be able to vacation without any of the typical stress and anxiety trip-planning can bring along with it.
Packing
A thorough packing list is the best defense against unforeseen travel snafus. I believe most people make some sort of list before heading off for vacation; whether it be a post-it note of their most important travel items or a full spreadsheet. It doesn’t matter how extensive the list is; but make SURE you make a list of the items you will need to bring with you. As you make your list try to think of items you may need to include for each activity you have planned. The best way to do this is to have a trip itinerary readily available, or mentally “scroll” through your vacation day-by-day. If you know upon arrival you’ll be attending a fancy dinner, add the proper shoes to the packing list. On Day Three you have a trip to the beach planned? Don’t forget to add sunscreen, a wet bag, and portable speaker to the packing list! With list making nothing is too big or too small to add; and the chances of something slipping your mind during the chaos of packing and departure are much lower if you’ve put it there!
Make a list & print it twice
A packing list is essential to an efficient vacation. Having TWO hardcopies of this list is a lesser-practiced professional tip. Once you’ve jotted down or typed out your list: copy or print two of them! Have one list handy as you pack for your trip. As you add items to the suitcase or car, mark them off your checklist one-by-one. So, why have a second clean copy you may ask? The second list you should slip into the pocket of your suitcase for your trip back. As you repack things to return home you can consult the second copy and check off items to ensure you don’t leave anything behind!
Carry-on bags
The key to packing a carry-on bag is to remember to bring any needed items that you CANNOT be without. Necessary items such as medications, medical devices, baby care products, etc. should always be brought along in your carry-on bag. In the event your checked luggage is lost or doesn’t arrive to your destination at the same time you do, having your personal necessities on hand will minimize stress and any potential for an emergency. Don’t forget an extra change of clothes!
Hotel room or Air BnB
No matter where you are planning on staying during your vacation (a hotel, a family or friend’s residence, an Air BnB) you’ll want to keep your processes upon arrival the same. Try to store the belongings that you brought with you in the same locations that you keep them at home. For example, if you place your car/house keys on a hook by the door, do the same in your hotel room! Keeping items as close to their “normal” spot will make vacation feel more routine and familiar to you. You’ll also want to be certain you keep all your travel documents and important pieces of vacation information together. Things like your IDs/passports, tickets, rental agreements, travel itineraries, etc. should be in a folder or together in one section of your bag.
Once you’ve arrived where you’ll be staying…explore! Take some time at the beginning of your trip to look around and get familiar with your surroundings. Again, the type of new space doesn’t matter for this step! You’ll want to look around and map out your room or the property you’re staying at so you can locate the best places to store your items most similarly to the way you store them at home.
If you’re choosing to stay at a hotel for your vacation this is also a good time to seek out somewhere quiet on the property. If needed, upon booking, you may also consider asking the hotel to put you in a room away from any area that may suffer loud noises. (Rooms closest to hotel pools, the restaurant/bar, elevators, ice/vending machines, etc. may be best avoided!) Sleeping away from home can be difficult enough; if you can avoid further disturbances it’ll make for a more peaceful trip.
Schedule
As for the vacation activities themselves, having an itinerary or schedule will help limit stress! Note any important dates or times regarding any activity/venue/excursion plans you’ve made. You’ll want to make sure you arrive promptly to anything that is time-sensitive (flights, check-in/check-out times, boarding times for cruises, guided tours, shows, or performances, etc.) Make sure that when preparing your vacation schedule you include time flexibility so that if something pops up unexpectedly you’re not in a rush. Building some time flexibility into your plan will also help you avoid late fees and/or missing a trip/activity altogether.
When making your vacation schedule, whether the destination is the airport, hotel, an activity, etc., time block so that you know exactly what time you need to leave by and have an estimated time of when you should arrive. (If you need extra pointers on how to time block you can see our experts’ five easy steps here!) Make sure to check traffic reports and be aware of any travel/weather delays that may cause you to run behind schedule. Again, include time flexibility! You may also want to incorporate the use of a digital app/calendar to keep you on track. On these calendars you can almost always schedule reminders or set alarms to help yourself make sure you leave on time.
One thing most often forgotten about when taking a vacation is to always have a plan for the unexpected! Leave copies of your itineraries, travel schedules, and other trip documentation with a family member/friend/or trusted associate at home, just in case. Not only will this help in an emergency, but it will also come in handy in the event you somehow lose any or all this information. On that same note, be sure to have extra medications with you just in case your travel plans are suddenly extended for any reason. We surely always hope everything goes according to schedule but know it’s better to be prepared and safe versus stranded and sorry!
If you follow these tips, we’re convinced your trip will live up to the excitement you’ve had since planning it! There is nothing more rewarding than having your hard work pay off, and really there is no better prize than a well-earned relaxing and fun vacation. If you have a fun trip planned for the upcoming months; let us know! We’d love to hear where our travel tips will be accompanying you this year! And, as always, if you need any additional assistance with your vacation packing or organization, please reach out at info@sortedout.com.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Tonia
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