Traveling has become a huge part of my life. I feel like I’m always on a plane nowadays, whether it’s for work or family or a much-needed vacation – but let’s be real, mostly work. I recently got back from a quick trip to Europe I planned way back in March shortly after I got back from Paris.

It’s taken me awhile to get into a groove, but I think I finally have this traveling thing down. Well, most of the time! And even though travel can still seem stressful, which it totally can be if you’re not careful, I’ve narrowed down a few things that really help me. Of course there’s a long list of options when it comes to managing travel stress (and sometimes you can’t), but I go back to these 7 things over and over – even the basic ones.

Pack light

This is something I ALWAYS struggle with, since it requires me to plan out my outfits ahead of time, but it’s so so worth it. Before I started traveling a lot, I used to throw in whatever I thought I “might” want the option of wearing – but I learned pretty quickly that this was causing me more stress than benefiting me. Lugging around an extra large suitcase and multiple carry-ons through the airport used to stress me out so much – what if I left something behind when I was in the bathroom? And the backaches from carrying all that stuff,  not OK y’all. Plus, it was more stressful to have to worry about my outfits once I got to my destination – it’s so much easier to have everything planned out. Even though it takes hours before hand, totally worth it.

My biggest tip to pack lighter? Limit yourself to just a few pairs of shoes – shoes are bulky in your suitcase, so pick a couple of pairs that are musts and base your outfits around those. And don’t go too crazy on the accessories – do you really need 3 beach hats when you’re going on a 4-day vacation? I know they’re all super cute, but no, you really don’t. Another thing I always save room for is an extra change of clothes in my carry-on. There’s nothing more stressful than arriving to find out that the airline has lost your luggage (I can vouch for this!). Packing an extra change of clothes (and maybe even a swimsuit) in my carry-on gives me peace of mind in case my checked bag gets lost.

Also, pack well. Click here for my trips on packing well – you’re welcome :)

Take screenshots

Google Maps is legit my BFF when traveling…until I don’t have service – which, as you know, can happen often while traveling or when International. So, I always make sure to take screenshots of the map and list of where I’m trying to get to – if I’m taking a train or driving to a location. This way, service or not, I know the address of the location (in case email is out), and how to get there. P.S. There’s a lot more you can do with Google Maps when traveling, which I wrote about here.

Stay organized

Travel anxiety is real, and I’ve learned that so much of that anxiety comes from not feeling in control – something staying organized can help tremendously with. I always make a list before traveling – and even check it twice (lulz, had to). I love making lists for just about anything, but especially when it comes to travel. It makes things so much less stressful when everything I need to do and my packing list is written down in one spot. I usually keep a running list on my iPhone, so wherever I am or whatever time of day it is, I can easily add to it.

Keeping the purse I’m traveling with organized is also a huge must for me if I’m trying to stay sane. Since I typically travel with a larger tote, I use little compartments and zip pouches to organize my life. I like to keep my passport / travel docs in one compartment, and then makeup in one pouch, snacks for the flight in another – you get the idea. And narrow down carry-on essentials all together. Honestly y’all, I’m way less stressed knowing I don’t need to dig through my bottomless pit of a purse to look for my passport while I’m waiting in line at the check-in counter.

Bring a charger

Yes you’ll want your wall charger, but if you plan to be out and about or exploring, your phone will go dead fast. I bring a cordless charger EVERYWHERE so that I’m never without a dead phone – which is an essential to me when traveling.

Pack medicine together

If you have any medicine or supplements you take, bringing a bunch of medicine bottles can not only a waste of space, but a pain.I started traveling with a legit pill organizer a few years back, and it’s made my life a lot easier. I can label everything before leaving (Tylenol, allergy pills, vitamins, whatever), and it’s super easy. I find that being prepared makes the situations when you get a migraine while abroad a lot easier.

Be early

Pretty straightforward, I know, but arriving early to the airport can cut out SO much stress! This is a constant battle for me but TRYING. You never know how long security lines are going to be, or what kind of other unexpected things might pop up that could cause you to miss your flight. To keep stress levels at bay, I try to arrive an extra 30 minutes early. Better safe than sorry! And if I have some extra time, which I usually do, I like to grab a glass of bubbly before boarding. A little champs and a snack can go a long way with stress management, right!? #nojudgements

Outfit Details: Good American half zip sweatshirt // Levi’s Denim // JSLIDES sneakers (obsessed! I sized down 1/2 size in this brand – but these aren’t available online yet! I’ll let you now when they are!) // LV duffle bag