Sometimes, expanding your horizons involves up and leaving one country to get to know the rest. I’m about to embark on a European journey of my own. #YOLO, right? (Punch me). Anywho, as I calculate just how much time I no longer have left to get into travel-gear, I realize what it takes to prepare for a a cross-continent excursion. Even if you’re a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of girl, things are just a bigger deal when you are travelling far away from home. But, you know what? Sometimes, borders are made for crossing. Let’s just try to break the barriers with our prized face products in 100 ML bottles and our heads on straight! Here’s a How-To on leaving the country.

  1. Pack Light – How nice is travelling with a carry-on? Practically nothing to weigh you down! If this can’t be you, for whatever reason, no worries. But allot yourself enough time to pack so you don’t end up panicking and bringing junk to whatever new place you’re going. Looking forward, what would you rather have: ten pairs of pants or room for souvenirs? (Buying new pants there qualifies as a souvenir because I say so.) Let’s streamline! Make a list and follow it. Remember to bring tiny toiletries. And always be able to carry your own bag(s) just because ya  never know. Keep it light. Pack it right.
  2. Look at Your Passport –You think forgetting/losing a passport is only for the stupidest of the stupids… until it happens to you. And then you’re like, “Maybe it was stolen? I always put it in that drawer!” What if this time, you didn’t? People are really weird and spacey when they come back from trips, flinging their bags around before passing out in a jet-lagged coma. So, a) Always put your passport in the same place (thanks, Dad) and b) walk over right now and have a look at your passport. Is it up to date? Is it there? Yes? Good. Now you know. If not, start applying for a new one and/or commence ransacking your room this minute to avoid future trip-ending problems.
  3. Spend Time at Home Base – Because, why not? You’re about to go on an adventure so you’re allowed to treat yourself to a little decompression beforehand. Things are about to get a little cray. But no doubt you’ll feel even more ready for it all if you give yourself some time to slow down and take it in. Don’t run around like a crazy person trying to eat all your favourite meals and see everyone in your phone book before you leave. Go see the family! Touching your roots might be just what you need to keep any upcoming homesickness at bay. Or just stockpile everything you need for this trip and take your sweet, sweet time putting it all together from the comfort of your apartment. Your own four walls are about to be a luxury. Lap it up while you can.
  4. BUT, Say Your Goodbyes – Hey you, people care. They probably want to say goodbye and send you off with nice memories. Not just so they don’t lose you to the organic French farmers as you WWOOF it up (or to whatever travelling tribulations cross your path) but also because you are loved. Goodbyes are hard. Not everyone is good at them. We like each other! And sometimes, it’s a little easier to pout, lash out or avoid instead of just saying, “Hey, I’m going to miss you. A lot”. That’s just coping for you! But take the dramatics out of the equation. Have a potluck shindig at your place, ask for some letters to read on the plane, go for coffee catch ups, and just face it. You deserve to leave the country with some warm and fuzzy feelings. Reach out and get ‘em.
  5. Mentally prepare – Now that you have prepared physically, let the brain play catch up. Yes, the backpack is packed. The travel books have been highlighted and dog-eared to an extreme. But are you ready for what’s to come? Maybe not, but there’s something to be said for expecting the unexpected. At the same token, people may be trying to psyche you out. “Are you packed yet?”  “One way flight, -what?” and so on. They be jealous. You need not pay attention. Focus on you and what you need to do come back a better human and in one piece.

You are leaving on a jet plane. If not today, one day. It’s an opportunity. There are sights to see and pictures to take, but more importantly you are opening your eyes to new cultures and opening a door to a new you. A you with experiences to call your own. A you who is adventurous and smart, whether that means you decoded a new city’s metro system or learned how to belly dance on the back of an elephant. Be open for what is to come, be smart and be safe! Blink, and you’ll miss it.