We expect vacations to be fun and relaxing, but sometimes they can be really difficult. We're all for some much-needed R&R, but leaving the house to travel can be very stressful (these tips for stress-free travel can help).
Starting with the rush of rushing around the house to get everything on your packing list and hoping you didn't forget anything. After you leave, though, your mind starts to race. Just made sure you turned the heat down. Is the oven still turned on? It's much worse to make a small mistake when you know you won't be home for days than when you're usually gone, because you won't be able to check to see if there was anything to worry about for days.
Black Tomato's Europe travel expert Sunil Metcalfe has a great idea to help you calm down: take a picture.
Taking a picture of the locked back door, the closed garage door, or an unplugged gadget gives you peace of mind to let go and be fully present, just like sending an email to a coworker or leaving your pet with someone you trust. "We've all had that horrible feeling on the way to the airport when we know we did something very wrong when we were getting ready for our trip." Having a picture takes away this moment of worry."
In addition, Metcalfe says that he and his wife take many trips. To make sure that everything is turned off, they have even installed WiFi-enabled plugs in their home. Mecalfe says, "But taking a picture is a much cheaper option and leaves no room for technological error." There are more things you can do to protect your home while you're not there.
Of course, even if you are very careful, things can still go wrong. That being said, if there is a fire, break-in, or other odd tragedy while you're gone, you'll have pictures to prove it wasn't your fault. Next, read these tips for a stress-free trip to have the best vacation ever.