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in Lifestyle, Uncategorized &middot March 25, 2015

Planning Your Next Trip: My Top Tips

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in Lifestyle, Uncategorized &middot March 25, 2015

Planning Your Next Trip: My Top Tips

Is there anything more exciting than planning a trip? I don’t think there is! Traveling and exploring and making memories are some of the best things you can do with your life. My tips aim to help you have the most amazing trips without spending your life savings!

Make a List of Places You’d Like to Go

Start by making a list of places you think you’d like to go. Do your research so you know exactly what you can do there and if the place really appeals to you – it might be different to the way you imagine it. You should then get an idea of where you’d most like to go next.

Decide The Length

You might like to go away for just a weekend, a week, or even a month. By deciding on the length of the trip, you’ll be able to make your plans more actionable. Rather than just saying ‘I’m going to Europe’, you can say ‘I’m going to Italy for 2 weeks’. Then you’ll know how much you can plan and how much you need to save.

Do Your Research

Do your research on the place you’re traveling to, any necessities you need to take, and more. Will you need to dress differently? Will it help to speak the language? Is there anywhere you must visit? Research will help you to decide all of this.

Save as Much as Possible

Save as much as you can for your trip so money isn’t an issue. You could even sell some of your unwanted things on eBay or another site, or even at a yard sale. This will allow you to do something exciting, go somewhere special, and even book luxury accommodation on a site like Venere.com. Every little will help!

Consider Booking a Last Minute Deal

Last minute deals can be the best deals, but you need to snap them up quick. If you have the ability to be flexible, then do so!

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picture from Flickr

Make a List of Big Activities

Make a list of big activities you’d like to do. This doesn’t count if you want a relaxing break, but it’s nice to plan some exciting things to do. You could do a skydive, go scuba diving, or explore the desert. There are a ton of things you could do depending on where you’re going.

Inform Your Bank

Tell your bank where you’re going and how long for; this will stop them from blocking your card. This will ruin your trip in ways you can’t imagine. You really don’t want to be left in the lurch!

Always Get Travel Insurance

You should never look at travel insurance as optional. Always get travel insurance, whether you’re relaxing or not. You never know what might happen, and you don’t want to lose any money because of an accident that could have been avoided. Be sensible!

Don’t Panic

Things don’t always go to plan, and there’s nothing you can do about that. Try not to let major issues stress you out. I know how hard it can be: I travel with a chronic illness and traveled across the country multiple times a year for college. If I can do it, then you can too!

Have an amazing time! 
Don’t forget to enter to win $20 to DSW

 

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Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.

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  1. The Girl who Loved to Write says

    March 26, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Last minute deals can be a gamble, but we've gone on some of our favorite trips ever due to last minute sales!

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  2. Rebekah @ The Straight Arrow says

    March 26, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    This is such a helpful post! I'm going to Italy in a few weeks and I am constantly looking for more travel tips so I can be as prepared as possible!

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  3. Kay R. says

    March 29, 2015 at 1:18 am

    Great tips! Finding good deals is just the best thing ever when planning a trip!

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SHARING YOUR HEALTH EXPERIENCES PUBLICLY⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ I sh SHARING YOUR HEALTH EXPERIENCES PUBLICLY⁣⁣⁣
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I share my personal health experiences online, which I find it somewhat easy to do because I've been talking publicly - albeit to a smaller audience - since my health problems started in 2001. ⁣⁣⁣
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If you share something online, you need to be prepared for people to ask questions or argue with you. Should they? No. Will that stop them? Also do. ⁣
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That's one of the reasons that talking online about what can be trauma is not easy or for everyone. That's why it's important to practice self-care and to consciously think about what you want to share online before you do it. ⁣⁣⁣
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For example, I generally only talk publicly about a health situation once it has passed, especially if it's an emergency. I also make sure that I'm in a good place mentally before I talk about it. That way, I don't share things I'll regret sharing publicly later. It also helps me be less anxious about sharing these details.⁣⁣⁣
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And I don't share everything! There's lot of stuff that I haven't talked about not only online but with people in real life. It might seem like I share everything I've experienced, but I don't. ⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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Week 18 of 2026 Weekly 1️⃣ Cross-stitch and IVIG Week 18 of 2026 Weekly 

1️⃣ Cross-stitch and IVIG 
2️⃣ Another trip to the foot doctor. We’re officially in Try To Avoid My 6th Foot Surgery mode 🤞🏻 
3️⃣ At least there were lilacs?

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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1️⃣ Looking down at Kate’s lap. Tubes are coming out of her shirt. She’s working on a cross stitch.
2️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office. She’s wearing a lilac mask.
3️⃣ A lilac bush

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FAQ: Have I Tried Yoga for My Pain? This is a se FAQ: Have I Tried Yoga for My Pain? 

This is a series where I answer questions I frequently get about my rheumatoid arthritis. I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice - just saying the truth about my body in particular. 

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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Fact⁣
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I’ve been on IVIG since September. So what does su I’ve been on IVIG since September. So what does success look like? ⁣
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*This is all just for me and my case!*⁣
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1️⃣ I haven't gotten sick at all since I started, not even a cold. ⁣
2️⃣ My lungs are clear of any ground glass opacities, which was what pushed us over to finally doing IVIG regularly. ⁣
3️⃣ We feel better about saying that I don't have any infections. Because symptoms are often signs of the body fighting an infection, we couldn't always trust that I wasn't sick because I didn't have symptoms. ⁣
4️⃣ Because of all of this, we're increasing my next Rituxan dose! This will mean better RA symptoms and hopefully no new illnesses for a few years.⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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Week 17 of 2026 Weekly 1️⃣ Making some real progr Week 17 of 2026 Weekly

1️⃣ Making some real progress with this cross stitch
2️⃣ Walking casts have multiple uses, including holding down your mat! (Don’t worry - I only did broken-foot-compatible things) 

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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3️⃣ A walking cast lies on a black yoga mat 

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Can we talk about fatigue for a sec? ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ Fatigue Can we talk about fatigue for a sec? ⁣⁣⁣
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Fatigue is so much more than being tired. It's sleeping 10 hours at night and then struggling to stay awake during the day. It's trouble focusing because, even though you just had 3 cups of coffee, you're thinking about sleep. It's needing to factor rest in during the day because you have plans at night. ⁣⁣⁣
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Week 16 of 2026 This week had EVERYTHING 1️⃣ Cr Week 16 of 2026 

This week had EVERYTHING

1️⃣ Cross-stitch during virtual mass 
2️⃣ Tuesday featured a 90-minute meeting during work and then an hour advocacy work call after my day job (both were good!)
3️⃣ Wednesday started at my foot doctor’s office and I left in a walking boot. Hopefully these 3 fractured bones will heal correctly this time 🤞🏻
4️⃣ Thursday started back at MGH for my annual neurology appointment + foot CT scan
5️⃣ Then I went up to Maine … 
6️⃣ to celebrate my grandma’s 85th birthday! 

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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5️⃣ Kate takes a selfie snuggling with a golden retriever.
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My face comes with subtitles, so .. ⁣ ⁣ ⬛⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ I My face comes with subtitles, so .. ⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣.⁣
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