Over the past decade, I’ve spent a lot of time traveling, working and playing as I go (which is the definition of Bleisure — the combination of business and leisure).
I realized today that the “antsy” time (the sense that I need to be somewhere other than my own apartment) seems to be shrinking.
I drove to Las Vegas to attend The Fancy Food Show in January. I stayed at the Conrad at Resorts World, which I like because of its underground tunnel to the convention center and the spacious rooms and views. And oh yes…the hotel has not one but two Starbucks! (Not to nitpick, but most Vegas hotels could do a better job of putting desks in rooms and enough outlets for charging. Sometimes, we must put B in our Bleisure while there.)
Although I feel like I’ve been back in Arizona for at least six weeks, it’s only been about 18 days! My next Bleisure Living adventures are planned (Vegas again and then La Jolla, LA, and the East Coast, with some possible surprises in between).
But how do we control the wanderlust? Here’s what I did:
- Escape into books, movies, work, and passion projects like this one.
- Master some skills and invest in products and gadgets that may be useful for future trips. (I discovered I needed a new dress bag, and I hooked up my portable mic to record my podcast on the road. Next to master is my mini ring light.)
- Try out new activities and places in my own backyard. Even driving to a new neighborhood and trying a never-visited-before restaurant or workout class can be a mood booster.
- Schedule all the regular “stuff” you can’t do while traveling (medical and dental appointments, catch-ups with friends and business events, and even decluttering your home.)
- Plan my next trips (see above).
I’m discovering that three weeks is my usual “withdrawal period” before I feel the need to travel again. You can easily plan for these lulls too if you know what’s fun and important to you in the place you park your suitcases.
Is this wanderlust a problem?
It gives me a “wallet ache” on occasion, but these times of staying put are a great way to catch up on financial responsibilities. I may be antsy now, but at least my 2024 taxes are in good shape and I know how much $$ I have for my future adventures.
