Holiday Travel Essentials + Tips To Stay Organized
When it comes to blogging, you absolutely love it. You get to work with you favorite brands, make new friends, and write about things you are passionate about. Though sometimes it's hard to stay on track and procrastination sets in and then at 11:59PM you are in full blown panic mode, drinking way to many Americanos, while trying to meet your 9AM post deadline for the following morning. Sound familiar?
As I'm sure my readers have noticed in the past couple months I've been doing a lot of traveling back and forth from Florida, and as you can imagine during my travels I've been in the situation above quite a few times. This being said, I'm sure many of you are wondering how I've managed to stay organized and remain on top of my post deadlines while travelling, especially now that the holiday season is upon us. (Admittedly most of these things I've learned through trial and error, paired with more than a few glasses of wine with John.) And that's why I decided to make this post to share my essentials and some tips!
Travel Essentials
If you follow me on Twitter you probably saw my tweet featuring my Travel Essentials list on Influenster, but in case you don't here's what you missed and why these items should be in every bloggers carry on:
A Large Tote to Keep Your Necessities In:
Though any large tote would do, I specifically have this Coach Nomad bag in burgundy. The reason why I say a large tote is a necessity is simply because though ones this size are more comparable to a carry on bag, they still obviously count as your "personal item". Not to mention this way you can pack everything you need for a flight in one place such as a book, small laptop or iPad, passport booklet (if needed) and of course little necessities like a brush, lip balm, and maybe a small camera. Also, I don't know about you, but when I'm travelling I always try and pack light with as little bags as possible simply because I don't like to wait around at baggage claim.
iPad Pro 12.9 + Apple Smart Keyboard/Portfolio Case
Okay, so maybe you don't absolutely need an iPad and keyboard, but I for one do simply because it all goes back to me wanting to pack light and it's hard to do that when you're laptop has a 17" screen. So as an early gift this year my mum gave me my trusty new iPad and it has really helped with keeping me on track with my blogging even while traveling. How so? Well it has helped me stay organized due to the nifty calendar app I have on it, as well as giving me the capability to make an agenda. And of course let's not forget to mention how less cumbersome it is on the go that a laptop.
A Note Pad (In my opinion the cuter the better!)
Even though I am very good about keeping my agenda and calendar organized on my phone or iPad, I'm not so great at making notes or reminder on them. This being said I much prefer to keep a small note pad to got things down and make physical lists.
Pens, lots of pens
Firstly, obviously if you have a note pad to jot things down, chances are you probably need a pen. And if you're like me, you are probably constantly losing, I mean misplacing, your pens so it's probably a good idea to have a few of them handy. (And if you're like me and own one fancy pen, never put that thing in your purse!)
A Good Pair of Headphones
Simple explanation: Crying infants on airplanes.
Business Cards + Case
Lastly, even when I am just travelling for pleasure and it's not business related, I always keep a couple business cards on me. You just never know who you might run into and want to collaborate with!
Tips To Stay Organized
I will be the first to admit that I am not an overly organized person. Though I generally always have a plan, and know everything will get done, I have a tendency to get overwhelmed and slowly shut down from blogging mode. However, while I've been travelling I have also been researching ways to help keep myself organized and panic free! Here are the things I have been doing that have been a tremendous help:
1. Get rid of the default "Calendar" App and start using "Calendars" by Readdle
Yes, the dreaded "Calendar" app by Apple is atrocious and in my opinion very difficult to keep organized if you have a crazy busy schedule. This being said that's ow I stumbled upon Calendars by Readdle. This app is great because it allows you to color code and label events, and it has a wide selection of colors, which was good news to me because it has really helped me stay organized.
2. If your platform that you blog on has an app, DOWNLOAD IT NOW! (If you haven't already)
Obviously, this is one of the best ways to update posts, check analytics, and answer comments on the go. And to top it off most of the apps for blogging platforms are free so it's almost silly not to have them downloaded.
3. Make sure your blog email is set as your "main" email account on your phone
I don't know if most people are like me but I have a ridiculous amount of email addresses: My blog/business email, my work email for DSG, my school email, an email specifically for flights, and lastly my "junk" email. This being said, it is much easier for me to have my business email as my main considering that is my highest priority. (Though it is kind of frowned upon, I refuse to check DSG emails after office hours or if I am clocked out for lunch or off sick.)
4. Set personal post dates (AKA non-sponsored posts) well in advance
This is so important for me. I am a major planner, I always try and have posts booked and ready to go at least two weeks in advance. Seriously, my last #OOTD for StyleWe was booked and written on November 6th! And currently I am already booked through early-mid December.
5. Keep a written to-do list and notes
I don't know about you, but for me jotting things down actually helps me remember them. Perhaps it's just habit from when I was little and my mum would have me write my spelling words 3 times each as practice. However, this being said, I find keeping a written list very helpful to stay organized.
And lastly, though this isn't a tip to be organized in the crazy blogging world we live in, always remember to set aside a couple hours a day for yourself. Shut off your phone (yes really), take a walk, read a book, have a glass of wine! Just anything to pull you away from your computer for a few to really enjoy yourself. Believe it or not, even when you're overwhelmingly busy, it'll make you feel 10 times better.
What are some ways that you stay on schedule for the holidays and while travelling? Let's chat about it in the comments below!
Xx, Bree