The Tiny Bleisure Trip

W

e have tiny houses, micro devices, and small cars with lots of power. And then we have the super-short (but super-efficient) bleisure trip.

Yesterday I was on a 7am flight to New York. Today, I’m on a 6am flight back to Minneapolis. When I reflect on what I did during those 24 hours, I realize that I managed to pack a lot of stuff into my “suitcase of life.” As you plan your own bleisure trips, think about how you can make every minute count without running yourself ragged. For example:

• Planning. Very early flights are brutal, but they are often less expensive and you can pack more into the day. (I got back in time to have a full work day and a visit to the dentist.)
• Nesting. Having a “home base” away from home with a lot of charging ports and other things that make work/play easier is essential. Although I’m a digital nomad these days, I kept my WeWork membership and I reserve a hot desk via the app whenever I’m in a WeWork city. Seeing familiar faces and working out of a central location (where people can come to see me for meetings) helps me feel connected (literally and metaphorically) and saves time.
• Giving. The main purpose of my trip was a Tuesday’s Children board meeting. I volunteered to work with them on marketing strategy and Las Vegas “healing” efforts. I also set up some time yesterday to mentor a colleague (and Bleisure Living contributor) on his new media business — a whiskey community. Helping others — in whatever way we can — makes bleisure trips feel more productive and satisfying.
• Eating. Of course, food is a part of every bleisure trip! In addition to my usual RX Bar snacks
  

  Chopped salad, WeWork community, and multiple charging outlets. Can it possibly get any better?

  (Pumpkin Spice — the flavor of the season), I really missed the chopped salads at my old lunch place — Green Apple. Although the media has sometimes trashed the chopped salad craze, here are some tips for creating a healthy combo. Poke is now a “hot thing” in New York and also relatively healthy if you make the right choices. At the end of the day, I was totally wiped-out, so I opted to get take-out from Whole Foods — creating an economical alternative to room service while I watched “This is Us.” (We all have our vices!)

• Sleeping. Alas, I didn’t get enough of it. But my “great bed” streak is continuing. The Bryant Park Hotel is remarkably quiet considering it’s on such a busy street, and although it can be pricey at times, it’s luxurious in a minimalist New York hotel kind of way.
  

  Artsy shot of Salesforce Tower and Whole Foods. Technology and food — among my true loves!

   

So, whether you’re traveling for weeks or hours, think about how you can make every little second count. Even short bleisure trips can result in long-term memories and joy. 

 

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