This is a checklist so I don’t suffer from anxiety when leaving the house for an extended period of time.

I imagine this checklist would be much more expansive if you lived in a house, or have children, but hopefully it can provide some inspiration. I took the frozen coin trick from a similar list I found online.

Items marked with ✈️ or 🌍 are only relevant when flying or leaving the country.

You can download it as a raw markdown file here .

Preparation

  • Check visa requirements for destination 🌍
  • Check passport is where you keep it 🌍
  • Set up travel insurance if needed 🌍
  • Check if your phone plan works in the destination 🌍
  • Screenshot or print confirmation numbers in case of no connectivity
  • Download offline maps for destination
  • Check _______ still has set of spare keys
  • Ask _______ to come and water plants if necessary
  • Charge electric razor and portable chargers
  • Set up mail forwarding or hold if you’re going to be away for a while
  • Check if any bills are due while away. Pay them before you leave if possible
  • Check library due dates. Return anything due whilst away
  • Meal plan to consume perishable food that won’t freeze well
  • Put a small container of water in the freezer. Place a coin on the surface when frozen to know if the freezer loses power for any significant length of time whilst away
  • Laundry — not fun to come back to!
  • Download entertainment for offline use (optional)

Pack

  • Passport 🌍
  • Travel adaptor 🌍
  • Chargers (watch, toothbrush, portable)
  • Electric razor
  • Water bottle
  • Bag for dirty laundry
  • Mouse and/or controllers (optional)
  • Swim trunks and/or towel (optional)
  • Extra TSA lock and luggage label ✈️

Don’t Pack

  • Pen knife and/or multi tool in carry on luggage ✈️
  • Multi-tool with locking blade without checking if it’s legal at the destination 🌍

Last things

  • Water plants
  • Leave keys with _______ if watering plants whilst away (optional)
  • Clean the kitchen, fridge, and take out the rubbish
  • Freeze any perishable food
  • Lock away valuables
  • Add a luggage label to any checked bags ✈️
  • Check smoke detector batteries
  • Set up “out of office” email if needed
  • Take a photo of your luggage for insurance purposes ✈️

Out the door

  • Double check you have phone, wallet, keys (and passport)
  • Check flight status if flying ✈️
  • Set thermostat to a level where pipes won’t freeze (in winter)
  • Check windows are locked
  • Remember to turn the ceiling fan off