How a Photo Can Stop Travel Anxiety
It’s a familiar feeling for many travelers. You’re en route to the airport or settling into your plane seat when the thought pops into your head: Did I unplug the hair straightener?
You try to brush it off, but the uncertainty nags at you. Maybe it was the oven—was it turned on accidentally? Or the front door—did you definitely lock it?
These kinds of “did-I-forget” moments are surprisingly common, and they can be a real distraction when you’re trying to focus on the excitement of getting away. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to put your mind at ease on your trip.
The solution is surprisingly simple and effective—just snap a photo. If you’re always stressing about whether or not you turned off your stove, take a picture of the knob turned to “off” right before you leave the house. Snap your unplugged flat iron on the bathroom counter. Get a shot of your locked front door, bolt and all.
Now, no matter when your travel anxiety ramps up, be it when you close the front door or board the plane, you can simply pull up your camera roll to reassure yourself that you won’t burn the house down when you leave.
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Why It Works
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Make Photos Part of Your Pre-Trip Routine
Travel anxiety is a sneaky beast. It thrives on uncertainty. Even if you checked something ten times, your brain has a funny way of hitting replay the moment you can’t do anything about it.
By taking a photo, you're not just double-checking—you’re outsourcing the worry. You give your brain concrete proof of reality instead of spiraling over imaginary scenarios.
This trick works best when it becomes part of your pre-trip routine. Before you head out the door, walk through your space to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything. Turn things off. Unplug. Lock up. Snap as you go.
Make an album in your camera roll called “Trip Peace of Mind” that you can update before every vacation, keeping all your reassuring photos in one place.