In June I spent a week traveling back home, while I was still in the middle of editing the Ending Note. It was the first time I’ve travelled since the pandemic and I have to admit I was a bit nervous. Delayed flights. Detention for being on the wrong side of the political fence. It crossed my mind that I might get stuck in the US. And what would happen then? What could I do?
I didn’t try to fill in the half-finished Ending Note, but I considered it!
Not because I’m fatalistic about travel risks but because if I’d gotten stuck, my friends in Japan would have needed to handle whatever came up. But without the Emergency Access Guide, they wouldn’t know where to find my spare keys or reach my family. That one-pager really does give clear instructions about what to do in different scenarios.
Sometimes the Ending Note isn’t about preparing for a major disaster. It’s about being able to travel without the nagging worry that something important will slip through the cracks while you’re away.
Next time I travel overseas, my trusted contact will have the Emergency Access Guide and I can let go of that worry because I’ll know the bases are covered.
International travel is complicated enough without adding the stress of wondering whether you’ve left your affairs in good enough order. Getting organized beforehand means you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about everything you might have forgotten.
Plus, my friend gets to play with my cats while I’m gone, so everyone wins.
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