Passport. Check. Little Convinces. Check.

Every big trip starts the same way for me.

I get excited...and then I get nervous.

What if I forget something important? What if I get lost? What if something goes wrong? Those thoughts seem to show up before every adventure, especially when I'm traveling solo.

Thankfully, I've figured out a few little routines over the years that help calm my nerves and make travel feel a little easier.

Take the Uber. If Ben isn't in town, or my flight leaves ridiculously early (or gets in ridiculously late), I book an Uber to the airport. I live about 25 minutes away, so it isn't terribly expensive, and for me, it's worth every penny. Not having to worry about parking, asking someone for a ride, or driving while I'm already anxious helps me start the trip feeling much more relaxed.

Noise-canceling headphones are a must. I genuinely love kids and babies, but airports and airplanes can be overwhelming. Putting on my noise-canceling headphones, listening to music or a podcast, and creating my own little bubble makes the travel day so much more enjoyable.

My Kindle always comes with me. Do I read on every trip? Honestly, no. But I always pack my Kindle because I like knowing that I can read if I want to. Whether I'm waiting at the airport, relaxing after a long day of exploring, or stuck on a delayed flight, it's nice to have that option.

Buy a bottle of water before you board. When I'm traveling somewhere that the tap water isn't safe to drink—or even brush my teeth with—I always buy a large bottle of water at the airport before I fly. Most hotels provide bottled water, but having my own when I land gives me one less thing to think about after a long travel day.

I’ll happily pay to choose my seat. This is one travel expense that is almost always worth it to me. If an airline gives me the option to select my seat, I usually do. Whenever possible, I’ll choose something closer to the front of the plane. It makes boarding and deplaning a little easier, and after a long travel day, getting off the plane just a few minutes sooner feels like a small luxury.

Team Aisle Seat. Always. I am 100% an aisle-seat person. I like being able to get up without climbing over someone, stretch my legs, and have easy access to the restroom. Window seats are beautiful for about ten minutes…and then I’m ready to move around.

When Ben travels with me, we have a system: we book two aisle seats across from each other. We each get the aisle we love, neither of us has to squeeze past the other, and we can still chat across the aisle before takeoff or after landing. It’s one of those little travel hacks that works surprisingly well for us.

These little habits might seem simple, but together they help me start every trip feeling a little calmer and a lot more confident. Traveling will probably always come with a few butterflies, but I've learned that having a routine and a few conveniencesa makes it much easier to embrace the excitement that comes with the adventure.