The Wrap Up
The Vacation Isn't Over Until the Suitcases are Unpacked!
By Jean Marie Herron
When people decide to go on vacation they usually start with a list. That's the beginning of their organizational plan, which is a good one. But, what most people don't do relative to vacations is the "Wrap Up".
It is very exciting to plan a trip. We are motivated to get there. We might research for months where we will go, what we will do and see. There is anticipation and imagination. When we return all of that energy is used up, we are finished with this journey, at least in our minds. We've conquered, we've seen, we're usually physically and emotionally exhausted and now we need to return to our everyday lives. And in returning to our houses, there is a punch list of items (mundane compared to what you probably just did on vacation) to truly bring the trip to closure. These tasks might look something list this:
VACATION WRAP UP:
- Clean out suitcases and put in attic
- Import photos on computer, place order for prints, put into photo album
- Send photos and note card to relatives
- Update packing list for next trip
- Go through all vacation paperwork and decide what to keep and create a reference file in file cabinet
- Write letter to airline regarding problems encountered traveling
- Review and return all phone, mail and email messages
- Find "homes" for all new purchases and souvenirs
- Give thank you/money to pet sitter
- Change out travel purse back to regular pocketbook
- Match receipts to credit card and hotel statement
Did you sigh when reading all the above bullets? But if you don't do the wrap up the clutter can easily pile up. You can end up with moldy, smelly, dusty luggage not to mention laundry. You won't be able to show anyone your beautiful pictures if they don't make it out of your camera. Your toiletries that didn't make it out of your travel bag will expire. The treasures that you brought home won't be preserved or displayed properly for memorabilia or conversation pieces. You can easily acquire late charges on bills should you not get to your mail.
When completing the wrap up, you'll feel accomplished, finished and ready for the next trip. You'll be able to find your items for your next adventure because you put everything back into its place when you returned from this one!
P.S. This organizing skill can be transferred to all other areas of your life too. Hint, Hint!
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At POSSE Partners, LLC (Professional Organizing Solutions Serving Everyone) we cater to homeowners who want one-on-one help with their organizing endeavors whether it's their space, papers or time. Besides transferring these organizing skills to our clients, we also hold organizing classes called Clutter Corrals, have a monthly forum for supporting each other called POSSE's Pen and we also give organizing presentations as well. To learn more about the author and owner, Jean Marie Herron, and sign up for her free newsletter go to www.POSSEPartnersLLC.com.
