How I Plan My Trips From Scratch

People often ask me how I plan my trips — what apps I use, what spreadsheets I make, how far in advance I book everything. The truth is, my planning process is surprisingly simple. I don’t use complicated tools, and I don’t try to control every detail.

Over time, I’ve learned that good trips aren’t built on perfect plans. They’re built on flexible ones.

I Start With a Feeling, Not a Destination List

Before I pick flights or places, I ask myself one simple question: what kind of trip do I want right now?

Sometimes I want chaos and energy. Sometimes I want slow mornings and quiet beaches. That feeling matters more to me than ticking off famous spots.

Once I know the mood, choosing the destination becomes easier. I stop chasing trends and start choosing places that match where I am mentally.

I Research Just Enough — Not Too Much

I do some research, but I don’t drown myself in it.

I read a few blogs, skim travel forums, and watch short videos — mostly to understand the basics. I want to know how expensive a place is, how easy it is to get around, and what areas are good to stay in.

I avoid saving long lists of “must-see” attractions. Too much information makes me anxious and turns travel into a task list.

I Book the Big Things First

I usually book only two things before I arrive:
My flight and my first stay.

That first accommodation gives me peace of mind when I land. Everything after that stays flexible. If I like a place, I extend my stay. If I don’t, I move on.

This approach has saved me money and stress more times than I can count.

I Leave Room for Mistakes and Changes

Not everything goes according to plan, and I’ve stopped expecting it to.

Buses get delayed. Weather changes. I meet people who convince me to change routes. Some of my best travel memories came from plans falling apart.

I plan my trips knowing things will change, not hoping they won’t.

I Plan Around How I Actually Travel

I know myself now.

I’m not someone who wakes up early every day. I need slow mornings. I get tired if I change cities too often. I enjoy wandering more than rushing.

So I plan trips that fit me, not what travel blogs say I should do. Once I stopped copying other people’s itineraries, travel became much more enjoyable.

I Trust Myself More Than My Plans

The biggest change in how I plan trips isn’t about tools, it’s about trust.

I trust myself to figure things out on the road. I trust that I’ll find places to stay, food to eat, and people to talk to. And I trust that even if something goes wrong, it’ll become part of the story.

Planning gives me direction. Experience gives me confidence.

And that balance is what makes traveling feel exciting, not exhausting.