Planning To Travel The World? How To Pack Up Your Life So It’s Ready For You When You Get Back

Sep 13, 2023

Last Updated on: Aug 26, 2025

Travel Blog

Before you set off on your global adventure, it’s crucial to have a well-thought-out plan for what to pack and what to store.

Create two lists; one for items you’ll need on your travels and another for possessions that will stay behind. This will help you prioritize and make the packing process more manageable. Remember, the aim is to travel light but also ensure that your life back home remains intact for your return.

Sorting Your Essentials

Deciding what to take with you on your journey is a balancing act between necessity and luxury. Start by listing all the essentials like travel documents, medication, TEFL accreditation, and basic clothing. Once you’ve got that sorted, think about the climate of your destination and pack accordingly.

Don’t forget to include a small first-aid kit and any specialized gear you might need for activities you plan to do. It’s always better to have a few versatile items rather than overpacking with things you might not use.

Using Storage Units

Storage units are an excellent option for keeping your larger possessions safe while you’re away. Not only do they offer a secure environment for items like furniture, but they also provide a climate-controlled setting for keepsakes that may be sensitive to temperature or humidity. Make sure to pack these items carefully, using bubble wrap or cloth to prevent any damage.

Opt for a storage facility that has robust security measures like 24/7 surveillance and coded access to ensure the utmost safety of your belongings. Safestore’s storage units all have 24-hour CCTV, and they have locations across the country. Their dry, clean, and secure units are the perfect place to store your belongings while you travel the world.

What To Do With Your Car

If you own a car, you’ll need to decide what to do with it while you’re traveling. Long-term parking can be expensive and may expose your vehicle to the elements. A better option might be to leave it with a trusted friend or family member who can occasionally run the engine and keep it maintained. Alternatively, you could look into professional vehicle storage services that offer secure, climate-controlled environments specifically designed for car storage.

Preparing Your Home For Your Absence

Before you leave, make sure to take care of household responsibilities that could become issues in your absence. Contact your utility providers to inform them of your travel plans and see if any services can be paused. Arrange for someone to collect your mail or have it held at the post office. If you have subscriptions or regular deliveries, pause or cancel them for the duration of your trip. These small steps will help you avoid unnecessary costs and complications when you return.

Make Your Return As Smooth As Possible

The excitement of traveling the world is unparalleled, but eventually, the time will come to return home. To ensure a smooth transition back to your regular life, it’s essential to plan your homecoming as meticulously as your departure. Start by making a checklist of tasks to complete upon your return, such as restocking your pantry, reactivating paused services, and checking the condition of stored items.

If you’ve left your car with someone, coordinate the return beforehand to avoid any last-minute hassles. Don’t forget to reach out to friends or family who’ve been looking after your home, plants, or pets to let them know your return date. A little planning can go a long way in making your return not just bearable but enjoyable, allowing you to seamlessly pick up where you left off.

Planning a long-term trip abroad is an exciting but complex task that requires meticulous preparation. From sorting your essentials and securing your possessions to taking care of your home and vehicle, each step is crucial for a hassle-free experience. By following these guidelines, you can embark on your adventure with peace of mind, knowing that everything will be ready and waiting for you when you return.

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Barsha Bhattacharya builds stories for a living and seeks mountains for everything else. An English major and remote content strategist, she travels every month, structuring her life around movement rather than routine. Her journeys are rooted in mountaineering and rock climbing, with a deep preference for tents over hotels and cold mornings over comfort. Barsha believes the mountains demand clarity, patience, and presence - the same qualities that shape her work. For her, travel is not an escape but immersion: long routes, rough terrain, and nights under open skies where the line between work and wilderness disappears.

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Flair Airlines Review: This Is How I Feel About Flair Airlines!

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 5, 2023

For the longest time, Air Canada and WestJet have been dominating the Canadian airline industry, which has led to the prevalence of high airfare. However, with the emergence of new contenders, things are finally changing. Flair Airlines is one such competitor of the legacy airlines that have a strong hold on the Canadian Airline industry. It is a low-cost carrier that has been expanding its operations during the pandemic to include U.S. travel hotspots like Arizona, Florida, California, and Nevada, continuing to operate on an extensive Canadian route network that covers most major cities in the country. Here is my brief take on the Flair Airlines experience I had. Keep reading because this is going to be very useful. My Experience Of Flair Airlines Image Source: assets.bwbx.io Here is a first-hand experience or a Flair Airlines review of the recent travel I had flying from Toronto to Montreal. Read on to know if it was worth it. 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Are You Planning A Trip To Osaka? This Is Your Quintessential Guide

BY  Sibashree Aug 11, 2025

The city of Osaka is just a very fast Shinkansen away from the capital of the country. Therefore, a trip to Osaka falls well within the sphere of convenience for the tourists. Osaka is different from the capital city of Japan in various ways. As a result, the tourists should always try to explore. The city provides you with friendly locals, the best nightlife, and most importantly, some of the most delicious food in Japan. If Tokyo’s your flashy, fast-talking friend, then Osaka is the one who drags you out for late-night snacks and somehow knows every back alley in town. You’ve probably seen its neon glow on Instagram, maybe even heard whispers about the food scene — and yeah, it’s all true. Osaka just… does things differently. Osaka has a historical side. Therefore, tourists visiting Japan should enjoy visiting the historical side of Osaka. Places like the Osaka place overall provide the tourists with an enriching experience while they are on their trip to Osaka. 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Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures!

BY  sagnika Aug 17, 2023

For starters, the Polish airlines exceeded my expectations, especially with its services! Want to know more about Lot Polish Airlines? Here I am bringing in a detailed review of the airline where I will address all the features and shortcomings. I was hoping you could read the article to learn about the benefits of Airlines from my perspective. You will also learn about a general perception of the flights run by Lot Polish Airlines outside Poland in some of the public reviews I will highlight in this article. I realize why they are quite popular and one of the oldest airlines in the world, and it is because of their trustworthiness. They have received awards for it almost 4 times now, along with being awarded the best airline for Poland for three consecutive years 2014, 2015, and 2016. I was bound to be satisfied because of their services, especially when the Business Traveller awarded them the best Eastern and Central European airline! Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures! I took a short flight from Warsaw Chopin Airport in Poland to Tirana, Albania, last year in August. Even though the time duration of the flight was a little more than 2 hours, my experience of the flight was great! I was offered a choice of water, coffee, or tea in beverages along with one free snack. For me, the basic requirement of getting water or a type of beverage completely free is a huge plus point of any transportation brand. My first impression of Lot Polish Airlines was good. Other food items and beverage options were charged! Entertainment is also an important part of the service considering during flights, people often get bored. The Lot Polish Airlines has a good collection of shows and movies as inflight entertainment. I was quite happy to access the movies and shows through my phone! Let's detail the features I liked and some things that could have been better. About Lot Polish Airlines LOT Polish Airlines is the national flag carrier in Poland and has been operational since 1929. The airline is considered one of the oldest in the world, with Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport being the company's operational hub. The Lot polish airlines flight status is active! The airline operates flights across 100 destinations all across Europe, including North America, Asia, and Europe. The airline's fleet includes Embraer 195s, Bombardier Q400s, and Boeing 787, while the number of flights operating is 73. Lot Polish Airlines has frequent flier services with Miles and More along with being a member of the Star Alliance; hence the benefits are also shared with the Star Alliance member airlines. The Star Alliance was founded in 1997 and is considered one of the largest global airline alliances. The company's headquarters are in Frankfurt, Germany, with 27 members who serve almost 670 million passengers annually. Regular customers can access many benefits through lounge access, food, and other services. Classes Of Lot Polish Airlines There are three classes in Lot Airlines, allowing travelers to book tickets based on their budget and requirements. Services vary in each of these classes. However, the company has been diligent in its services to its customers. Economic There is an in-seat power socket, onboard entertainment system, and USB port with each guest's seat in economy class. If you book tickets for economy class, you can carry 23 kg of checked-in luggage while 10 kilograms for the carry-ons. Premium Economy If you are tight on your budget yet want to experience luxury, this is it for you! If you book tickets for premium economy class, you will be allowed 10 kg in your hand luggage, while for check-in luggage, you are allowed to carry 3 bags, each weighing 32 kg. Guests have semi-recliner seats along with a headrest and footrest, which is adjustable. You are getting a lot of business-class features at the price of economy. Business World-class services include fast baggage arrival with landing, priority check-in, and fast-track boarding when you book business class tickets with Lot Polish Airlines. Apart from these benefits, you already get an onboard entertainment system and a power socket with each seat. Food and beverage service is of standard quality. Hence, the individual business-class experience will be amazing! Speaking from experience! Wink! Read More: Norse Atlantic Airways Reviews And Other Information To Check Out Benefits On Flying Lot Polish Airlines Flying with Lot Polish Airlines has many benefits because the flight attendants are quite attentive toward their passengers. Expectant mothers are helped and guided through the boarding process. The ground staff at the Warsaw airport was so supportive as I saw one of them helping a disabled passenger in a wheelchair. They are efficient towards the special needs of the passengers, such as airport assistance, check-ins, queries about flights, and others. The refund and cancellation policy is well described, as mentioned through the online websites of Lot Polish Airline Sales Offices. Drawbacks Identified By Lot Polish Airlines You must pay a certain cancellation fee while canceling tickets on your own accord. There have been reports of the airlines canceling flights and postponing the exchange flights for almost a month which can be difficult for many passengers with an urgent purpose or a cause for travel. The security process takes a lot of time, literally at times worrying you that you might miss the flight. I have faced this issue with the scanner making all kinds of noises during the verification process at boarding. I have read in several Lot Polish Airlines reviews of passengers worldwide that they have missed a flight because of security. Security agents must be more knowledgeable during these situations, making it even worse. There have been complaints about the airline's ground staff in a review on AirlineRatings by Dennis, who is from Germany. Even though I didn't have much experience, I found them helpful and cordial. So, Lot airline reviews are not completely positive! Another review on AirlineRatings by Justice, who traveled in 2021, informed that the flight was canceled and no amount was refunded. The review says they were dissatisfied with the baggage handling and the check-in process. Now You Know! Based on my experience, I would take a trip again on Lot Polish Airlines given an opportunity; however, some people are dissatisfied with the airline. However, if you are relocating to Poland, you will need a residence permit, which you will not get easily. Based on your intentions to stay in Poland between permanent and temporary, you must choose wisely. 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