There's no better way to distance you from the usual hectic lifestyle then to take a trip, they're awesome and are always looked forward to.
My biggest problems with trips are that I hate packing; I never know what to take and what not to.
I'm also constantly worried that I forgot something (which I usually do) so I end up packing a ton of stuff I know I won't even need.
Although I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get rid of all the uneasiness we all get while packing I've created the following "checklist" that should at least get you going on the right track and remind you of the most important things you need to back.

1. Safety first, you should never travel without a proper first aid kit, you don't have to spend a ton of money on a first aid kit if you don't have one but at least pick one that has all the essentials cotton, band aids, antiseptic, antibacterial solutions etc..
   Don't forget a pair of scissors (I've seen too many people trying to tear band aids with their mouth, and it doesn't look good).
   Ideally you should also have some basic drugs like pain killers or cough medicine.
   Honestly you never know what could go wrong so better hope for the best but expect the worst.
   
2. Another priceless item you should always carry with you whenever you're going on a trip is a flash-lamp.
   There are a ton of things that can and sometimes will go wrong (your car breaks down, you get lost etc...
   ).
   Having a flashlight with you will not only provide you light but it will also comfort you in such situations.
   Honestly do you imagine yourself changing a tire at two in the morning in pitch black darkness without a light source? I can, it's not fun.
   Make sure the light source has a decent power supply, I personally prefer the LED flashlights they're brighter than any other flashlight out there, they're very efficient (can usually run for hours on end without needing a recharge).
   I've also come across some hand wind flash light where you basically rotate a lever every couple of minutes (whenever the power runs out to get some more light out of it, that's what I call self sufficient)
3. A portable radio, I would never travel without one.
   Even if you have all the gadgets and gizmos, cell phones, iPhones and iPods with an entire library of music I would still travel with a radio.
   It's not only a means to entertain yourself during the trip and to prevent you from getting bored to death, it's also a way to keep connected to the rest of the world.
   You can get a lot of information just by listening to the radio from the current time, news as well as weather warnings.
   
4. One last thing you should never forget to pack is water, you never know what can happen and I don't think there's anything worse than getting stuck somewhere with a dry mouth and not a drop of water in sight.
   You do not need to carry tons of water with you, just a couple small bottles of water should be enough.
   

I hope these tips will help you whenever you're worried on what you should be packing and that they're of value to you.