For the longest time I thought I was above checklists. I’m not an idiot. In fact, I’m great a multi-tasking and don’t you dare ever question me on it, okay!
But then after a few months of full-time travel, I realized there was a whole heck of a lot to keep track of and maybe having a checklist could help me just go down the list and not mess anything up. I started using checklists and immediately got things done faster and I’m not a nurse, but I’m sure my blood pressure went down too.
So here’s Day 8 of TVC’s special series- 2 Weeks of Travel Tweaks. Let’s go over how to use checklists to maximize your adventure and minimize stress.
Print them out
No matter how much you think you’re a digital guru, and you use spreadsheets to plan and prep and alladat…I’m telling you! Having a real checklist in your hands where you can, you know, literally go down the list with a pen in hand is MAGIC!
It gives you real peace of mind and sense of accomplishment. Which really comes in handy when traveling in your RV. You need little wins on travel days to ensure you don’t go too crazy or get someone else frustrated!
Not to mention, you probably won’t use the checklists if you don’t print them out. (Speaking from person experience here.)
Use them longer than necessary
Sure, you use a checklist a few times and you’ve got the routine down pat.
Except when you’re late packing up the RV. Or the kids are driving you crazy that morning. Or you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed…
It’s not about whether or not you can do it without the checklist, it’s that you probably shouldn’t. You never know what might distract you and cause you to overlook locking up one the bays. I know we’ve done that once and lost our table top grill! AH!
#shouldausedachecklist
Think outside the packing list
While I’ve talked a lot about using a packing checklist, there are lots of other ways to use checklists in RV life to make sure every aspect of your full-time life or camping trip goes as smoothly as possible.
- maintenance logs. This is going to keep you on track with doing all the preventative maintenance you need to do to make sure things are tip-top.
- Meal lists. This is esecially great for family travel. Plan our meals in advance to make sure you don’t get out to your boondocking spot and realize you’ve forgotten the marshmallows and pizza crust.
- Budget tracker. Money is stressful. Just use one, especially if you’re going to be RVing for an extended period of time.
- Travel planning. What was that place Bob recommended? Have a list of places you want to go!
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Tips brought to you by the checklists I personally use below!
If you’re interested in these checklists and over $1000 in other travel resources for only $47, click here to get the SMART TRAVEL SUPER BUNDLE. Only available until July 19th!
Check out Day 9- You’re Trippin’: Planning Your Adventure With Ease!
Great tips and I’m excited about the bundle! I love checklists and have to write everything down or else my brain gets overloaded, and I’ve apparently become forgetful over the years (don’t tell Eric I admitted that, haha). Plus it’s fun to check things off and feel that sense of accomplishment.
I won’t tell Eric! Thanks for checking out my series, girl!
I 100% agree with writing them down! I have a big running list on trello that can become super scary and overwhelming to look at sometimes… I’ve found that picking out a smaller number of tasks that I can actually accomplish each day from the bigger list on trello and then writing them down on my mini list for the day has been working really well for me!
lol @ the trello list! I find when I use online task stuff like that, I make HUGE never-ending lists, too! I like pen and paper so I don’t get too overwhelmed!
Thanks for sharing, Cindy!
Great ideas! You can put them in a folder with those plastic sleeves and they last even longer!
Yes! Thanks for commenting, Julie. You rock!