Travel Time
Good morning from the big island…Sicily! Travel is still a bit of a miracle, especially in these particular times, but also just in general. The fact we can cross oceans and countries in a short span of time, that we can step out of the fog (literally) and into the sun 24 hours later, is always a bit miraculous. My trip from Nantucket to Boston to Rome to Palermo was by no means a short one, but it gave me plenty of time to think.
In my old age, I’ve really come to appreciate travel time (I re-read this and thought about time travel…great topic for a different day). While I do wish I could snap my fingers and arrive in a place, the truth is there’s something about air travel that I really do love. It’s not the security lines, or the continual layering and shedding of clothes as temperatures vary from arctic to tropical in seconds. It’s not the pushy crowds, nor is it the struggle of lifting a heavy carry-on into the overhead compartment. It’s also definitely not the insanely expensive and predictable airport food, the ensuing jet lag following any big flight, nor all the twisting and turning in a tiny seat to try to get comfortable.
What is it then, that’s so attractive about getting from one place to another? In my opinion, it has something to do with freedom.
Not the freedom of “I can go anywhere” (which, especially now, doesn’t quite exist) but the actual permission I grant myself when traveling. Precisely because of all those un-fun parts of flying listed above, I gift myself a complete carte blanche to indulge on travel days. 30 dollar ramen bowl at the Hong Kong airport? Why not? 18 rum-infused chocolates in a row? Doesn't everyone? The day rate at the closest airport lounge for a long layover? Of course. I buy books and magazines. I stock up on junk food. I don’t for a second look at emails.
I use travel time as this protective bubble: an excuse to overlook any sort of budget, to ignore work obligations (with of course fair warning to colleagues and clients), to slack off on social communication. It’s a black hole of time, money, mental energy.
I’m very aware that I give myself permission on travel days. However, where I draw the line and how I decide to give myself permission isn’t so obvious in my daily life. I don’t typically eat 18 rum-filled chocolates in a row nor do I throw down 30 dollars for mediocre ramen (15 maybe, yes. 30 if it’s going to be exceptional). I also am fairly diligent about responding to work and social communications and I try to budget my time fairly between obligations and pure pleasure (aka: reading in the sun.)
So as I inhaled the last Reese’s of a king-size four pack while sitting on the plane watching Parks and Rec, I thought to myself, “Hmm…what is it that is behind this intentional permission?” How is it that I “allow” myself such indulgence during these moments, and other times am actually able to stick to a regular-sized Reese’s, not a king-size, for example.
These are questions much bigger than the size of a candy bar. Decision-making, prioritization skills, so called-self care, and of course budgeting all come into play. And these are questions that echo throughout our lives, from the smallest detail to the biggest leap. In the few minutes of lucidity where I wasn’t battling a sugar high or binging on trash TV during the eight-hour flight, I came to realize that what makes permission so valuable is the intention.
We go through our daily routine and daily life without much thought. So many of our decisions are made or made without intention. When we do things out of the ordinary, like fly across oceans, everything becomes a bit more purposeful and we become a bit more attentive. I work so hard during travel time to ask myself, “What do I really want right now?” (Usually it’s between a bag of gummy bears or a five-minute chair massage…or both?)
I don’t think my revelation is anything game-changing (it’s basically a confirmation of the need for more mindful behavior), but it’s something that has inspired me to set an intention to be more intentional in my everyday actions.
As you travel or stay put, make plans or break plans, eat breakfast or skip breakfast, I wonder how you are giving yourself permission? When are you most intentional in your daily life? When are you most intentional in general? How might you be even more intentional?
In the meantime, I will be contemplating along with you.
Most importantly, before I leave you for this week, I’m launching my second edition of Belonging in a month. I’m looking forward to gathering wonderful women from around the world to explore how we can best take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities. Check out my site for more and reach out if you have questions!
Sending sunshine,
Henna