Convenience Big Store: Don't do this when you plan your travels (Checklist included)

Hi ConvenienceBigs,

Planning a trip can be very stressful.

Where do you start?

What do you do first?

Will everything work out?

You're probably in the middle of planning your trip right now, and I'm sure the immense amount of information you are coming across is leaving you scratching your head, wondering what to do next, or just plain ole' confused.

I get so many emails from people saying, "Matt, I feel like I'm in over my head!"

I'm not surprised: a recent study showed that people spend over 42 hours planning for a week-long trip.

Most people will look at up to 20 websites while researching their trip. A typical person spends over 40 hours planning before they even book anything!

20 WEBSITES! 40 HOURS!

Information is power, but in our information-overload society, we can quickly get overwhelmed.

It doesn't matter how long you are going away for. Two weeks, two months, two years — we all are trying to devour too much information.

Today, I want to put it all in perspective.

Today, I want you to just breathe and relax.

I understand the anxiety you feel — because you want to make sure everything goes right.

I, too, was overwhelmed when planning my first trip. I had every guidebook under the sun in my room. I had spreadsheets. I had maps. I was constantly worried about having "the perfect trip." Who doesn't want their trip of a lifetime to be perfect and life-changing?

I spent more time planning the perfect trip than I did anything else.

And it was a giant waste of time.

The more you plan your trip, the more anxious you will be. You're going to overwhelm yourself with so much information that you're going to do nothing but stress instead of looking forward to your adventure.

I can say from vast experience that your plans will change anyway.

Someone will tell you about a new destination, and you'll race off there instead of going to Amsterdam. You'll wander the streets and into unfamiliar restaurants. You'll meet a group of people who will convince you to stay on that tropical island just a little longer.

Plans change, so don't go overboard making a schedule. Have a general idea of what direction you want to go — plan your first few stops and then just let the wind take you.

Don't make a lengthy plan.

You won't follow it anyway.

My first itinerary through Europe was supposed to look like this:

Oslo >> Prague >> Milan >> Cinque Terre >> Florence >> Rome >> lots of Italy >> Naples >> Corfu >> Metorea >> Athens >> Greek Islands >> Sparta >> Athens

But it ended up like this:

Oslo >> Prague >> Milan >> Florence >> Rome >> Venice >> Vienna >> Amsterdam >> Costa del Sol >> Barcelona >> Amsterdam

Nothing worked out as I planned. It worked out better.

More interesting things and people pulled me in a different direction. I ended up living in Amsterdam for a few months because I met such amazing people!

As you are planning your trip around Africa and stacking books high and searching tons of websites, I say:

Breathe.

Relax.

Buy a book to pick up some general knowledge on how to travel and prepare for your trip. Read a guidebook on your destination and get a good idea about where you're going. Do your research. Create a checklist for before your departure.

But don't let trip planning consume you.

Take it from someone who has been there. Everything will work itself out and, in the end, you'll wonder why you stressed out so much in the beginning.

After all, travel is about taking advantage of the unexpected.

To help make your planning easier, I've created a printable planning checklist to help you get organized and spend less time planning. Just click here to get it.

Sincerely,

Nomadic Matt

P.S. - Leaving soon? Use the links below to book your trip:

Get your flight with Momondo or Skyscanner (Between them, you'll never miss a cheap flight)
Get your hostel with Hostelworld
Get your accommodation with Booking.com
Get your travel insurance with World Nomads (under 70) or Insure My Trip (over 70)
Need a new rewards card? Here are my current favs! (U.S. only)
Book a tour with Intrepid Travel
Need something else? Check out my list of favorite companies on my resources page.

I personally use all these companies listed (here or on the resource page) in my own travels and, by booking through these links, the small commission we earn helps us keep the content up to date, run events, create guides, and keep the website community supported.