#Survival Guide Travel Special - Avoiding Packing Nightmares
Going on Holiday maybe a Great Adventure but before you even get your passport out of the draw ready to fly off to a sunny destination you know you need to pack your suitcase!
Packing is a NIGHTMARE!!! We all hate it and knowing that you can't take more than your baggage allowance permits can be a bummer! But when you are Aspergers there is more than the obvious things to pack and deciding what you need to keep yourself not only entertained but comfortable on holiday can be distressing to say the least!
So before you even begin to panic and refuse to go on holiday, just take a deep breath and relax as I have all the tips and tricks to get you through the packing nightmares.
Packing isn't as simple as it looks, we all know that... everyone stresses over it and if you do it at the last minute you completely forget what you actually need!!! I have packed a week before I travelled & forgot some clothes that I really needed to take with me and so spent money out in the country I was in buying clothes to dress up in at night!
Tip Number 1: Making a list can save you a lot of time and worry.
If you know what you need in advance and plan what you want to take with you on holiday then write them down on the list. Separate your lists for your suitcase, hand- luggage and wash bag so you know what you need to pack in advance.
Also if you need sun cream, toiletries and clothes that you haven't bought yet then write them down.
Another important list to make is what documentation you need to take with you on your travels so note down that you will need your Passport (if travelling Abroad!), Travel Insurance , Currency and sometimes Visa's are required to travel to a different country such as the USA and Australia.
Note For UK readers:
You can travel freely in Europe but if you are planning on travelling to certain areas of the UK like the Isle of Man or Southern Ireland you will still need travel insurance in case of any emergency. Also I would suggest applying for a NHS European Health Card. The Card will entitle you to free Health Care throughout Europe. You will still need your Travel Insurance though as you will need to claim any treatment you receive once you fly home!
It might seem simple to make loads of lists but in the long run it can be helpful!!! And it doesn't have to be on paper anymore... make a note on your tablet or phone and if you like you can check things off as you go along!
Once you've sorted out your lists and what you need there is still the issue of what you need to buy before you go on holiday.
With suncream being needed and now being able to buy just about any cosmetic product in miniature bottles to keep your baggage weight down and have just enough of everything to keep clean and fresh on holiday before coming home to your jumbo sized products!
Tip Number 2: Buy Your Toiletries in Advance!
Buying these products in advance is important as there are cheap and awesome savings to be had!!!
You're better off buying your favourite cosmetics at a outlet that sells products at a reduced price or go online and shop around!
They do stock everything you will need for your holiday including sun cream at certain times of the year, if not then you're local supermarket is the best place to buy it!
But if you are going away in the summer, I would suggest you buy your suncream in February through to April and even May at a stretch. Shopping out of season can make prices on suncreams and insect replant are considerably cheaper as you don't really need suncream in the middle of winter unless you live in the southern hemisphere!!!
The same can go for clothes as most shops will bring out their summer season collections in May time and if you're a student ... get your STUDENT DISCOUNT CARD AT THE READY as you can save over 10% on your clothes at certain shops!
Tip Number 3: Get your Suitcase out Two to Three Months BEFORE you Travel:
It sounds Strange I know but getting your suitcase out early can mean less stress and less clothes cluttering up your bedroom. Some clothes will need to be ironed and I don't suggest packing underwear at least a week before you travel!
I also suggest investing in a Toiletries wash bag( you can find them online and in certain shops!) with separate compartments to fit in all your mini cosmetics as well as your hair brushes and razor! It saves time and also any Shampoo disasters (Remember what happened to Ross in Friends?) that may come your way.
Packing little and often throughout the three months leading up to your holiday saves time and stress! I always start with my shoes and bikini's as well as wrapping Sun cream and after sun in plastic bags and adding clothes little and often so the week before I go away I have my suitcase nicely organised. Sometimes you have to rearrange everything and save some space for other stuff but at least you have got everything packed ready to be weighed and then zip up your suitcase and place your lock on it and leave it alone!!!
The most important thing now left to pack is your hand-luggage! This is the bag that has all your coping strategies in it. Whatever you feel you need to take with you can safely be stored in that bag and really I pack that the night before I travel!!
In this bag holds everything you need to cope on holiday and no matter how random it looks to someone on the outside who really doesn't understand you shouldn't worry or care because for you it's essential to your wellbeing!!
The problem arises when you have to choose between certain items. I always pack with me my tour books for a start, then of course the iPod and iPad go in as well as the chargers because lets face it you need to have them readily charged constantly as well as a few good books.
But somethings you need to take might look odd and babyish to the outsider. My tip with that if you get a funny look is just ignore it!!! If you have a favourite stuffed animal and you need that exact teddy to go to sleep with at night don't worry that you'll look stupid just take it!
With friends it can be a little odd and troublesome! I know from experience going on group holidays where your friends invite people you really don't like and they might not like you for that matter you have to think carefully about what you want to take that will not give them ammo to bully you! So in this case I went for no tour books but a magazine with said favourite band in so it looked like I was reading the article rather than looking really strange and I had pictures of said band on the iPad as well as my phone which helped as well! Compromising on what you can and can't take might cause some stress in a non autistic friendly situation but making the most of it and coming up with alternatives can be your best option!
I've also said that stupid phrase... "I don't need Them!" when really I did and regretted it!
If you feel like you need it and going on holiday with people who understand you .. take it! Your true Friends and Family will not make fun of you or make you feel stupid!!!Being Aspergers doesn't mean that you have to limit yourself and deny yourself of your coping strategies just because you want to fit in. Honestly if the people you are travelling with really care about you and love you they won't judge you!
Little Tip:
For important documents like your passport, money, insurance and tickets, invest in a zip up wallet that can hold all these documents in! It can save you a lot of hassle at the airport!!!
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