Preparing for upcoming travel can be a daunting task for this brain injury survivor, almost as much as the travel itself. This round I started preparations more than a week prior to my actual travel – and I’m hoping that’s going to be enough.
Even those without a brain injury find themselves in situations where they’ve forgotten something they wanted to bring or even something they really need. Those who have memory issues from a brain injury, speaking for myself anyways, can find travel preparations to be more than a little stressful.
Making a List
Sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? Make a list of everything you’ll need and you’re good. For me, making a list is where the stress begins. Is it complete? Did I forget anything I’ll need? Of course, I did… but what did I forget? Most brain injury survivors quickly learn to recognize the areas they find the most challenging, and for me, sitting down to write a list is almost never completely successful.
My own approach to making a travel list has necessarily evolved quite a bit. The first key element is the tool I use to make the list. I have a painful understanding of the reality that if I start a list on paper, before long I’ll misplace it or even lose it. My whiteboards are good, except if the list includes something I need to buy, then I won’t have my list with me when I’m at a store. So, my tool of choice for this is an app on my phone from Microsoft called To-Do. It allows me to schedule single or repeating reminders with notes attached. Currently my To-Do list includes an item titled “Pack for Travel” with an attached list of everything I’ve thought of that I want or need to take with me.
My strategy with this tool goes beyond my first sit-down-and-write-a-list session. Our brains work primarily by association. If I’m standing in my bathroom working on my list, I’ll think of my comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, and shaving gear – but when I’m standing in the kitchen, I’ll think of things like my evening tea or my daily supplements. In my bedroom I’ll remember that I need to bring my phone charger, my neck pillow, and maybe even my slippers. So, my lists are best made while moving through the house. Then, each day a reminder pops up for me to review my list, so I walk through the house adding anything that occurs to me. Then there are the random moments I happen to think of something. I can just pop my phone out of my pocket and add it to the list.
The Packing Process
I remember very little from before my brain injury, but I can’t believe that packing for travel was always as challenging as it is now. If I don’t start early then when I do start the activity quickly becomes stressful as I determine what fits, what doesn’t and start making the judgements of what must travel and what can stay behind. I typically start packing at least two days before my actual travel, now. This allows me to first pack the things that are most commonly neglected or just forgotten, then to pack clothing appropriate for my trip and, finally, to see how much room remains for the rest of the things on my list. It allows me to adjust where possible and rethink where needed, so that I get no surprises as I’m about to drive to the airport.
Other Preparations
So, as if to underscore what I’m sharing here, my To-Do app just popped a reminder for me to fill the gas tank today so gas won’t be a concern when I get in my truck to head to the airport bright and early Sunday morning.
In my situation, as a caregiver for my mother with dementia, I have other preparations to make as well – and an early start makes everything less stressful and less likely to be overlooked. I started care arrangements more than a month prior to my travel dates, and between my aunt and my cousins, I know my mother will be well cared for while I’m away. Still, on my travel day, it’s possible that mom will wake early and wonder where I am – so I’ve written her a note that will be waiting for her when she wakes reminding her that I’m traveling and that family members will be coming by.
Finally, a To-Do reminder pops up twenty-four hours before boarding to let me know it’s time to check in. As well, I always ensure that I have the correct airline app installed and attached to my account, so that my ticket info and confirmation number are instantly available right on my phone. Another benefit of this is immediate availability of gating information without having to go find a kiosk in the airport and sort through large lists of flights – not to mention getting immediate alerts for any delays, gate changes, or other events impacting your travel requirements.
The Takeaways
The things that make the biggest difference for me for ensuring a positive travel experience are starting early and employing the right tools. In this information age when there’s an app for almost anything, we have many tools available to reduce the stress we might otherwise be subject to. There are apps for making lists, reminder apps like the To-Do app I use, and most major airlines have their own apps to make flying easier.
My advice… start preparing early. Find tools that work for you and use them. Reduce your stress and make travel more of a positive experience. Bon voyage, and travel safe.
Oh my, this is me. And I thought it was just me.
Thanks for reading, Ed. The truth is that while no two brain injuries are the same and our outcomes can vary greatly, there are still many things we have in common. It was good for me to come back and read this post, so thanks for sharing your comment. Recording my journey through writing has been a very positive thing in my life. Events and experiences that I’d otherwise likely forget, I’m reminded of when I come back to read these posts.
In this age of the pandemic, my travel requirements for work have been greatly reduced. Personal travel now involves my wife (I’ve married since the date of the post), and she’s great and helping to keep me on track and ensure I don’t forget things that I need.
I hope the post added a few ideas of tools to keep handy when preparing to travel.