Home On The Road
Gearing up for a third consecutive weekend of travel, I’m mentally steeling myself for the uncertainty and tension that are prone to accompany airline travel featuring long taxi rides and potentially musty hotel rooms. However, rather than prematurely mourning the loss of routine, I’ve spent the three blessed in-between-travel days in my home-sweet home, resting, nesting, and reviewing. After last weekend, I found myself at the very end of my energy reserves: head cloudy, sinuses congested, voice spent. On the drive home from the airport, I collapsed like a child on Danny’s shoulder, and have been in a similar state since. Now, however, I shall be ready to face the next adventure with my best foot forward. While preparing, I thought I’d share my exhale-inducing tricks for bringing the comfort of home on the road with us.
First thing’s first: sleep is the VIP and we are going full diva mode for her. In a new space, there are so many variables when it comes to sleep interruptors, and for our health and sanity, we cannot let them win. Double latch your door, pull the blinds, and suit up. The two products I’m loath to go without on a trip are my loop earplugs and blackout sleep mask. I can’t begin to explain how devastatingly grateful I am to myself for developing this new habit. For a good night of sleep, we must be uncompromising.
Now, I said diva mode, did I not? Another great use of free will and making your travel your own: a silk pajama set (stunning flowy robe included, of course). Two things I love about this are (one) that you get to slink out of bed and into your robe in the morning, enjoying a little extra coverage and coziness, and (two) a set like this takes up VERY little suitcase space! Whether it’s room service or a Keurig coffee pod, it instantly feels so luxe in a little robe. I see absolutely no reason to deny yourself this indulgence.
On this note, hotel rooms can feel slightly more homey when you’re racing (or strolling) around those weathered, printed carpets in your very own slippers. I do often settle for fuzzy socks, for the sake of my suitcase.
Additionally I’ve learned that bringing travel sized versions of my own skin and hair products is such a nice treat when away (these live in a bag in my bathroom drawer for convenient, mindless grab-and-go packing). Even my microfiber hair towel, when space allows, makes the trip with me.
Other random little practices I’ve adopted include bringing a pad and pen with me on planes and with my morning coffee, to sort my thoughts and day outside of my phone. At home we have a bowl of my favorite Japanese mints, so I’ll throw a handful of those in my bag to have after a meal like I’ve gotten used to. And first thing everyday I turn on Jazz music in our living room, so guess what’s on in our hotel room?
There are so many tiny opportunities to bring your home on the road with you, and I’m just getting started. Some things I’m working up to? I would love to become someone who brings her own coffee mug to slip under whatever single-cup brewing mechanism the hotel provides. Perhaps I’ll double check which model they offer and bring my own coffee too! I also love my mom’s habit of always bringing a small candle, but as an exclusive carry-on traveler, I abstain (TSA will stop and swab your candles, be warned). Flowers are another easy way to bring life and joy to your setting, and on longer visits I would definitely seek out some florals.
Now knowing I have all of these little pleasantries coming up, I’m actually looking forward to this weekend’s work travel. And the more often we hit the skies, the more it just becomes second nature to reach for these items around the house when I’m packing.
Watch out, Hampton Inn & Suites, we’re coming for you. And we’re bringing our home with us.
