Traveling is something that has always caused me anxiety. As a kid, someone needed to hold my hand as the airplane took off and landed. I’m a nightmare when there’s turbulence. As an adult, it has gotten worse. My husband still needs to hold my hand during turbulence. But what happens when I have to travel alone?! This year, I’ve logged tens of thousands of miles across the US and made my way from coast to coast several times. As someone who hates flying, this is HUGE.
The first business trip I took was to New Jersey for a training. I had never rented a car before. I couldn’t figure out my hotel reservation and I ended up sharing a room with my coworker. Looking back, that is nuts! It was the first work trip for both of us but who lets two early 20-something girls travel alone with no rundown before hand? Also, sharing a room is definitely an HR red flag!
I’ve become wiser in my older years and have gotten my flight-related anxiety under control but have a few tips for making work travel more enjoyable:
- Do ONE thing every trip for you. Need your nails done? Do it. Have 20 minutes for a mini facial/ face mask in your hotel room? Bring that mask, girl. Near a beach? Walk to see the sunrise. Local monuments close? Grab a cup of coffee and head over there! I’ve seen the Liberty Bell in Philly, walked around DC monuments, grabbed pie from a local spot in the California mountains, tried stand up paddle boarding in a San Diego harbor, visited the original Jeni’s Ice Cream in Columbus and ran around Central Park stopping only for bagels.
- Check out local gyms. I have a Classpass membership and belong to a local gym in Chicago so I can still get a workout in when I’m on the road. Checking out gyms in different cities can be a great way to learn more about the area, experience a new neighborhood and meet new people. Chicago is home to an incredible fitness community, but there’s awesome communities in every town! And they all have a different vibe and bring something different to your regular workout routine. New Yoga Now for yoga in Savannah has been my favorite spot of all time! I also highly recommend HEAT in Raleigh!
- Meet up with someone you know. There’s usually ONE person I know in all the places I travel and I do my best to meet up for coffee or a quick chat every time I travel. It helps bring some normalcy and excitement. And catching up with old friends is good for your health and your relationships! Remember all the dumb things you used to do together in high school? Reminiscing on all the late night cram sessions in college? Here for that!
- Bring your own snacks and refillable water bottle. For anyone with food allergies or food sensitivities, this is BY FAR the hardest part about traveling. There’s never any food options for you. Especially when meetings have pre-set menus. I love dry lettuce as much as the next person, but I much prefer my own snacks when I’m desperate. The closest hotel for one of my meetings was a casino and there was NOTHING for me when it came to grab and go or snacks. I learned my lesson quickly. Also, doing a little research on the area beforehand can help you scope out a cool coffee shop that has make your own salads or crazy things like gluten-free and dairy-free options. I’m waiting for the day when all these small towns I travel to catch up on the food allergy trends!
- Set an airport routine. I know just how much time it takes to order an Uber to O’Hare, how much time it takes to get through security and what time I need to be near my gate in order to grab my morning Starbucks. I leave enough time for a few emails before I board the plane so I’m not stressing about life when that airplane WiFi inevitably gives out 20 minutes into the flight.
- Invest in good travel basics and luggage. My Lo & Sons bag is my pride and joy. Everything I need is organized beautifully and I can easily access my laptop without trouble. It also sits on top of your carry on like a dream. I’m a loyalist and have their OG bag as well. Call me obsessed, but it’s worth the cost! Similarly, I have a few go-to blazers, comfortable skirts that don’t wrinkle when you’re on a 4 hour flight and my Rothys have changed my life!
- Always unpack your suitcase right away. That looming feeling of having it in the hallway until your next trip will haunt you endlessly. It’s much easier to jump into your routine when you feel like you’re home, even if your next trip is in 24 hours.
What else am I missing here? How do YOU keep your sanity when you travel?
