Travel splits your life in two.
There’s your temporary new life in another city—one filled with fresh places, new rhythms, and all the possibilities in the world.
Then there’s your main life—the one you’re hitting pause on while you’re away. And honestly? That second one needs just as much attention.
As someone currently living and working in Trinidad & Tobago (and often hopping between countries as a digital nomad), I’ve learned that prepping for your return is just as important as prepping for your departure.
Because no one talks about how long it can take to decompress after a trip—especially after long flights, airport limbo, time zone changes, or even post-vacation blues.
You’re tired. Your brain is mush. And your energy’s low.
So when I land back in Trinidad, I want to come home to order, not overwhelm.
That’s where this pre-travel checklist comes in.
These 12 steps help me prep not just for the adventure ahead—but also for a smoother, softer re-entry into real life when I return.
1. Clear the Fridge + Eat What I Already Have
Once my departure date is locked in and in the couple weeks leading up to travel, I stop buying groceries and start playing “pantry roulette,” eating whatever’s left in the pantry and fridge—odd combos and all.
Anything that might spoil while I’m gone gets tossed, cooked, or frozen. Clearing the fridge helps to avoid coming home to mystery smells or spoiled food.
Bonus: it saves me money right before a trip.
Pro Tip: Wipe down your fridge shelves before you go—no one wants to come home to sticky residue or weird smells. Leave a grocery list on your fridge or phone for when you get back so you can restock without decision fatigue.
2. Do ALL the Laundry
I wash everything—even the “I might wear this again” pile.
Having all my clothes clean makes packing faster and gives me options, especially if I’m going somewhere with unpredictable weather. Plus, I hate returning to dirty laundry when I’m already jet-lagged and cranky.
Clean clothes = a clean mental slate.
Pro Tip: Wash things like towels, travel pouches, and reusable bags too—those get funky fast and you’ll want them clean for your return.
3. Change the Sheets
This is a small act of love to my future self. After long flights, customs, and layovers, there is nothing like crashing into clean, fresh sheets.
Setting fresh sheets before a trip can make coming home feel like checking into a boutique hotel I own.
I even spritz my pillows with Febreze AIR Linen & Sky to maintain that fresh laundry smell when I get home. It’s a small luxury that costs nothing and feels like everything after a long travel day (or night).
Pro Tip: Toss in a dryer sheet or spritz your pillow and sheets with lavender spray before you leave.
4. Clean the Apartment
No, not a full deep clean—but enough so that when I walk in, I don’t immediately feel like I have more chores to do.
In the days before my departure, I always do a tidy-up: take out the trash, wipe counters, wash dishes, sweep or vacuum.
I’ve learned that even a basic reset makes a huge difference to my post-trip mood. If I have time, I’ll also scrub the bathroom and wash rugs so things feel fresh when I walk in.
Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, just tidy the entryway, bathroom, and kitchen. These are the first places you’ll interact with when you come back.
5. Turn Off the Water Supply
Trust me, you DO NOT want to come home to a flooded apartment. I make sure to shut off the main valve before I go.
I once woke up to a busted pipe in the bathroom which flooded both the upstairs and downstairs of my apartment. This was a massive couple of days of stress between cleaning up all the water and getting rid of water-damaged items…but thankfully I was home when it happened.
Imagine getting a call or message from your neighbour informing you that they’re seeing water coming out of your apartment but you’re thousands of miles away and there’s nothing you can do about it!
Whether you live alone or you and your partner/roommate are travelling together, turning off your water supply before you leave should be a non-negotiable.
If you live in a shared property, ask your landlord or building manager where the shutoff point is if you’re not sure.
Pro Tip: Check your pipe connections under sinks and behind your toilet for slow drips before you leave—just in case.
6. Confirm My Cat Sitter
My fur babies, Aiko and Gizmo, have a regular cat sitter who knows them well (bless her) and are 100% so comfortable with her. Once I book my flight dates, I confirm her availability and complete the short returning guest form she sends.
Even though she knows their personalities and quirks, I always touch base to make sure she’s updated on anything new.
Pro Tip: Even with a regular sitter, confirm at least one month in advance (especially if they’re usually in high demand) before your trip so you’re not scrambling last minute.
7. Prep for the Sitter
Even though my sitter is basically a second cat mom at this point—fully set up, cat towers and all—I still make sure to prep a few essentials. I pack:
- Their regular food and feeding schedule
- Updated vet information and emergency contacts
- Any toys or treats they’re currently obsessed with
It’s all about making the transition smoother for them—and me.
Pro Tip: Bring a familiar-smelling blanket or item from home. It can help your pets settle in more easily, especially if they’re staying somewhere new. Bonus points if it smells like you—they’re basically taking a little piece of you with them.
8. Pay Bills in Advance
Before I leave, I settle everything: rent, internet, phone, electricity, credit cards.
I don’t want to be trying to transfer funds or deal with late fees while I’m in a different country or timezone.
Even bills that aren’t due until after I return get paid in advance—it’s one less thing to think about.
Whether or not they’re due while I’m away, I like to clear them beforehand so nothing’s hanging over my head mid- or even post-trip.
Pro Tip: Set a recurring “pre-travel bill check” reminder in your calendar.
9. Secure My Home… and Loop in a Neighbour
I do a full sweep: lock windows, unplug electronics, stash valuables, and turn off lights (except maybe one for appearance’s sake).
I also let a trusted neighbour know I’ll be away so they’re aware when they stop seeing activity. I also ask them to keep an eye out and let me know if anything seems off or if they happen to notice strange people around the apartment.
In Trinidad and Tobago, where community still matters, this step adds a little extra peace of mind—especially if you live alone.
Pro Tip: Take photos of your locked doors/windows, stove knobs off, and anything you typically worry about after you leave. This saves you from second-guessing yourself mid-flight.
10. Prep for My Return
Here’s where I really try to be kind to myself.
I stock basics like coffee or tea, toilet paper, and easy-to-make food or I sometimes freeze a meal or leave ingredients prepped in the fridge/freezer (see Prep #1). I also set out clean towels, sleepwear, and maybe even a chill outfit for the next day if I have to leave the house. Think of it like tucking your future self into bed.
Why? Because after 12+ hours in transit, standing in immigration lines, baggage claim, plus the drive home, when I come back groggy and jet-lagged, the very last thing I want to do is figure out meals or errands.
Pro Tip: Set up a small “welcome home” corner—calming tea bags, snacks, cosy socks, your fave book or candle. Your jet-lagged self will weep with joy.
11. Back Up Files + Download Offline Content
This one’s for both work and pleasure. I back up project files and key documents in Google Drive or an external drive so I’m covered if my laptop crashes abroad.
I also pre-download entertainment: podcasts, music playlists, Netflix shows, Kindle books. I don’t assume I’ll have solid WiFi wherever I go.
Pro Tip: Add digital copies of your passport, visas/travel waivers, insurance, and all your bookings (flights/trains, accommodation, tours/experiences, etc.) to a Google Drive folder (or your preferred cloud service) or a password-protected app. Offline access = lifesaver in a pinch.
12. Double-Check Travel and Money Stuff
This is quick but critical.
I notify my bank, letting them know my travel dates so they won’t block my credit card while I’m using it abroad. In fact, I give them a few days after my official return date, eg. if my return flight is on May 20, I’ll tell the bank I’m actually returning on May 25. I do this in the event that factors beyond my control, like flight delays or cancellations force me to stay in the country longer than anticipated. This ensures that I can still access my credit card beyond my original flight date.
I also skim my travel insurance policy to make sure I’m covered (especially for health or lost luggage). Even though I’ll have my boarding pass in-app and email, I still take screenshots of my booking confirmations and ID (passport/driver’s permit, national ID) backups in the event I’m unable to access data or Wi-FI.
No one wants to be that person at the customs desk scrambling to find their return ticket.
Pro Tip: Carry a small pouch with all your travel-day essentials: passport, pen, meds, snacks, charger, and printed copies of anything important. It’s a low-tech safety net that’s saved me more than once.
Final Thoughts: Travel Is Temporary—But Chaos Doesn’t Have to Be
Whether you’re hopping on a plane for the fifth time this year or dreaming of making your first big getaway happen, here’s what I’ve learned:
Travel doesn’t start when you board a flight—it starts when you prep your life to pause.
A solid pre-travel checklist isn’t just about being organised for organisation’s sake. It’s about protecting your peace. It’s the difference between returning home feeling grounded instead of frazzled. Between dealing with jet lag and laundry—or just jet lag.
Because let’s be real: after long flights, timezone hopping, and a suitcase full of wrinkled clothes, you don’t want to come home to unpaid bills, spoiled food, or a cluttered apartment demanding your attention.
You want to come home to calm.
And this routine? It’s one of the ways I build that calm in advance. So even if I’m tired, I’m not overwhelmed. Even if I’m jetlagged, I’m not buried under to-dos.
So whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or your first big digital nomad adventure, I hope this checklist helps you build a pre-travel ritual that makes the going and the coming back smoother.
What’s one thing you always do before a trip—or wish you did more often?
Drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear your rituals, routines, and even the lessons you’ve learned the hard way.
Safe travels! ✈️🌍
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