Throughout the years, you pick up quirky habits or rituals. For example, I have a burning desire to dust and organize my bedroom before I can pack. The act of dusting and organizing helps clear my mind so I can visualize the outfits, accessories and toiletries I need to pack.
1. CLEANING & PACKING
While i clean, I make a mental agenda for each day and the outfits which will go with each activity. My ultimate goal is to be able to pack a single carry on for a trip of any length. The nerdy side of me wants to create a spreadsheet with the activities listed underneath the days and the apparel and accessories under each day. I want to be able to duplicate then drag and drop these items across various days. I should probably make this happen and share the Google Doc.
2. WORKOUT
If the flight leaves after noon, I try to get one last workout the morning of the flight. If the flight is in the morning and it’s a business trip, my goal is to get a workout in as possible after I check into the hotel. The real reason I do this is to burn calories before I eat them. Working out helps you get the kinks out from sitting in the plane for hours.
3. AIRPORT BOOK
Once I get through airport security, I HAVE to find coffee or tea, then it’s off to the bookstore to find a “flight book”. My favorite part of getting to the airport is searching for a new book. This trip, I bought “Girl Boss” by the founder of Nasty Gal (it’s an apparel company, get your mind out of the gutter!) Whenever I see the book inthefuture, it reminds me of the trip. Plus I’m a bookworm and flights are the best time to read without distractions.
4. INSTAGRAM
This is vain, but yeah, I take a preflight selfie, sometimes I post it on Instagram, sometimes I post the book or the coffee. Like most people, I like to post the travel #humblebrag.
5. SPRITZ
When I get on the plane, I like to spritz my face with a travel-friendly Evian atomizer. Then pat on a bit of moisturizer, cover with CC cream, then let it all sink into my skin during the flight. Your skin will thank you and you will look much more refreshed when you arrive at your destination. My daughter asked why I looked so cute after being on the plane…it was because of this little beauty ritual. She doesn’t dole out compliments unless you’ve really impressed her…win!
6. KNOCKOUT
I’m always super excited about the new book, what usually happens is; I write a blog post in the first 15 minutes of the flight. Then start the book and inevitably, fall asleep. Womp…womp…womp…does this stop me from getting the book? Nope! I still get the book because I can read and finish it during the trip. If you can sleep, go ahead and knockout, you’ll arrive feeling more refreshed.
OVERPACKERS DILEMMA
I planned to take a backpack for this trip, except I realized I left my backpack at work. I ended up bringing a carry on which means more space and more clothes! Overpacking is the part of the ritual I’m trying to break free from. I’m going to do a wardrobe challenge soon to experiment on how to live with a few articles of clothing mixed up for a week.
WHAT I PACKED:
Nanabear’s Birthday Dinner / Travel Outfit
- Black lace off the shoulder shirt
- Black ruffled tank to cover the muffin top
- Skinny jeans
- Teal scarf
- Long blue/gold necklace from Beach Bunny
- 2 gold bracelets
- Leopard print pointy shoes
Nana’s Sleepover
- Old Navy compression capris
- Black ruffled tank
- Flip flops
Swimming
- Strapless swimsuit
- Floral swim wrap
- Flip flops
Exercise
- Old Navy compression capris (reuse)
- H&M tank
- Strappy sports bra
- Nike 240 sneakers
Lounging
- Black tank top
- Denim shorts
- No jewelry
- Flip flops
Travel outfit
- Old Navy compression capris
- Long flowy black tank
- Teal scarf (cute accessory and keeps you warm during the flight)
- Leopard print pointy flats
What are your travel rituals? Leave them in the comments.
What are your thoughts?