I’m not talking bedbugs or poison ivy here.
(Although these highly-packable itch-stoppers are my faves!)
Let’s ruminate on another kind of itch — the need to travel and explore — and the value of travel in making us more productive and even more profitable.
When I first launched this website in the summer of 2017 (seven years ago!), I couldn’t have imagined how remote work and the “work from anywhere” culture would become a thing.
A long-time travel lover, I realized that technology enabled me to do my job, interact with others via my laptop and phone, and expand my brain by exposing me to new places, people, and experiences.
This summer, I booked a one-way ticket to Boston and ultimately flew back from Washington, DC. I left on June 7th and returned on July 2nd. (In fact, I’m writing this in the air.)
Over those 25 days, I:
- Stayed in six hotels/motels. My packing cubes are my favorite travel hack these days. I could find exactly what I needed every morning and had mastered the art of super-compression, so I had room in my suitcase for new stuff. (See #6.) And Karla: those “traveling pants” are oh-so-versatile!
- Visited five states (including rural, suburban, and urban areas)
- Interacted with 100s of people IRL and others via ZOOM and Teams. Met some fantastic new colleagues and potential friends. (Listen to the “Destination Dating” episode I did with Matt!)
- Completed 10+ business projects and launched new podcast episodes (along with social media marketing) each week
- Learned some new digital and AI skills (because travel “downtime” is a great way to “go back to school.” I created mini travel journals in Canva, which you can find here.
- Sampled some amazing new food (both at the Fancy Food Show and at local restaurants)
- Planned my next summer adventures (a staycation, Iowa, and a return trip to parts unknown on the East Coast, as well as my “travel roadmap” for the fall), I am heeding our Bleisure Living advice on how to beat post-travel blues.
Of course, Bleisure Living is not for everyone. It requires a fairly high level of flexibility, self-motivation (so you don’t get fired or lose clients along the way), and a family and financial situation that enables you to venture far and wide.
But what started as a fantasy seven years ago is now my reality lifestyle and I look forward to the next seven! Who’s joining us?
