There is something about the day before surgery that feels a little surreal.

Part of me feels calm and ready. The other part is running through every possible “what if” and wondering if I have done enough to prepare. Instead of spiraling, I have been focusing on what I can control – keeping things simple, getting organized, and setting myself up to rest and recover.

If you have surgery coming up, this is exactly what I a doing to prepare – nothing extreme, just practical things that are helping me feel a little more grounded going into it.

1. Packing a Hospital Bag (Even If You Probably Won’t Stay)

My surgeon said there’s a 90% chance I will go home the same day but I still wanted to be prepared just in case.

Having a bag ready removes one more thing to think about.

Here is what I packed:

• Phone charger
• Headphones
• A book
• Comfortable clothes (PJ set and t-shirt dress) + easy slip-on shoes
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Deodorant
• Lip balm
• Eye mask

It is nothing fancy, but it covers the basics and makes me feel more at ease knowing I will have what I need if plans change.

2. Getting Everything Ready for My Son

This one honestly matters the most to me.

As a full-time mom, I wanted to make sure he feels comfortable and taken care of while I recover. My dad will be watching him for a few days while my husband works, and even though he lives close, I still wanted to over-prepare a little.

I packed:

• Extra clothes
• Games and toys
• Blanket
• Coloring Book and stickers

He is used to going over there for a few hours, not a full day, so this just helps everything feel more normal for him.

3. Resetting the House (Laundry + Cleaning)

There is nothing worse than coming home to a mess when you are not feeling well.

I made sure to:

• Finish all the laundry (including bedding)
• Clean the entire house
• Get things generally organized

Realistically, I know I won’t be doing much for a little while but it gives me peace of mind knowing things are in a good place.

Also I am very grateful my husband prefers a clean house because he will definitely be stepping in more than usual.

4. Setting Work Boundaries (Even If They Aren’t Perfect)

This one is a little tricky.

I turned on my out-of-office email, but realistically, I know I will still need to check in a bit since I work in real estate part-time and don’t have backup.

The goal isn’t perfection, it is flexibility.

I am giving myself permission to:

• Work from bed
• Keep it to a minimal amount of time
• Prioritize rest first

5. Keeping Food Simple + Ready

We did a grocery trip ahead of time so no one has to think about meals.

For me, I kept it really simple:

• Soups
• Crackers
• Yogurt
• Rice cakes

Just easy, low-effort foods in case I am not feeling up for anything heavy.

What Else I Am Doing (That You Might Not Think Of)

Create a “Recovery Zone”

I set up a space where I will spend most of my time with:

• Pillows + blankets
• Charger within reach
• Water bottle
• Remote/books

The less I have to get up, the better.

Physical and Mental Preparation

There are so many things that I could add to this list but here are some of the things I plan to do today:

• Showering – Washing hair, shaving, using antibacterial soap
• Styling hair without products
• Going on a walk
• Listening to meditation and/or breathwork – I like Insight Timer and Youtube videos

Final Thoughts

I am not trying to do everything perfectly, just enough to feel prepared and a little more at ease.

If you have surgery coming up, focus on the basics. The goal isn’t to control everything, it is to make the experience feel a little softer and more manageable.