Sharing some of the strategies I tried to keep in our lives after our journey.
Hi friends! What are you doing? How was the weekend? I hope you had a great! We celebrated my Nana’s Bday, the pilot was home from a trip, taught a Barre class and met with a brunch friend. We also have some monsoon rain, which is always a little pleasure.
For today’s position, I wanted to talk a little about our journey, my prospect since we have returned and some of the strategies I tried to maintain. As you know, we like to travel. I feel it is the most dynamic way to spend the money we have earned – in experiences – and gives us the opportunity to be away from the hustle and enjoy time as a family (or as a couple). My journey always gives me perspective and helps me remember what really feeds on my energy and joy … and what not.
While we were in Spain, we were able to take our time and really enjoy every day. I really tried to keep some of the things I liked so much about our journey (you know, in addition to epic sights, culture and food …) and I put them in a short list. It’s not really about the “holiday operation” forever, but rather what my journey reminded me the most.
Strategies I want to maintain after our trip
1. Walk as much as possible
We walked the miles daily, not even trying, and the movement felt natural and refreshing – not forced. While it is a little harder here, I still try to recreate this track at home with a walk after dinner, walking during meetings and walking Maisey when the rain has cooled things down.
It’s funny because Tucson is not a foot -friendly. Everything is away, it’s a million degrees, and if you are out of walking, most people will take your car broke, unless you are on a neighborhood or trail. It’s definitely the top of summer, so I use Lil Walking Pad throughout the day. In Spain, I had easily reached 20k steps a day, and I have to be intentional to hit 10k here.
2. Cook from scratch (and select parts that do the same)
The foods we ate felt nutritious and deliberately, either on Airbnb, by our friends (our friend Tony makes an epic carrillada) or from a chef to a warm local spot. While I don’t think we need to have fancy meals all the time, the quality and freshness of the ingredients speaks volumes. I have found that since we are home, there are only a handful of restaurants here that feel it is worth the cost for me. I would rather buy good ingredients and cook at home instead of paying 100-200 for a medium meal for the four of us.
3. Keep meals simply
I also remembered that meals did not need 18 ingredients or 3 sauces to satisfy. A piece of roasted fish, some grilled vegetables, a chopped olive oil and lemon: perfection. Since our trip was on the longest side, I was able to cook on Airbnb, but I also didn’t want to buy a ton of ingredients and accessories. Our meals were so simple, fresh and satisfactory.
4. Stay slowly and sleep (seasonally)
It was really magical to embrace the summer nights: kids until late, spontaneous gelato runs, the morning light sheds through the windows while you are still tired in bed. It’s not a routine forever, but a fun reminder to bend the rules sometimes. The school year is very rigid and scheduled (it must be), so it felt like an epic treatment to stay until midnight or 1am. most nights and start the day around 9:30.
5. Slow meals with good company
Recycle 2 hours meals, be it dinner in the patio with friends or four of us at the dining table. I really liked that meals didn’t rush, which allows you to enjoy food and the company much more. I find that you are more tuned with the signs of hunger so you can eat less. I try to slow down a little with all aspects of life.
6. Priority to new adventures with girls
Even at home: new parks, new recipes, small day trips, or just let them help me design something “new”. My journey always reminds me how magical it is to see the world through their eyes. Also, what they say is true: they grow up so fast. The things they used to enjoy are no longer so exciting, so it was fun to explore what they are and to have some new adventures together.
7. If you take a break … nothing collapses
This is great. Together, we all bring a huge spiritual and emotional burden, especially as mothers. We are the ones who remember who mysteriously ran out of the socks, the ingredients we need to get for dinner, order a gift for the birthday party this weekend, a child has an appointment of a dentist tomorrow, along with work deadlines and jobs. It was refreshing to take a step back … and nothing broke. The blog, the inbox, the jobs. Everyone was waiting when they came back and it was okay.
When both girls were babies, I was still blocking three times a day and I couldn’t imagine taking off for more than a short weekend. We ended up taking about six weeks off work for the first time, and nothing broke.
I wrote my content in advance and only received customer calls and emails while we were away. It was a huge gift, and gave me a new meaning and energy to get back to things the second we were back. While I don’t think I’ll take six weeks again each time soon lol is a good reminder that you can go out for a while and things will be okay.
8. Make time for art, music and culture
Whether it is a museum, live music, or a Spotify deal while dinner, adds wealth to everyday life. You don’t have to be in another country to bring beauty to your day. I try to try to book theater tickets, enjoy the outdoor music, visit the museum and bring a few pieces of culture and joy to our lives.
9.
One of the most beautiful things about Spain is the community environment. Our friends go to an international school in Seville and parents often gather. They are constantly enjoying a drink or tapa, while the kids go away and play, and design meals, day trips and playdates. We are lucky to have an incredible community here in Tucson, so it was a good reminder to continue to cultivate relationships that are important to us.
10. Dress for the day
Europeans have a way of appearing for the day carefully. While the gaiters have their place completely (I will never give them up completely lol), the dressed feels good. I definitely feel more focused and productive when I am in * really * clothes instead of sweat and hoodie. 😉
So tell me friends: Has a trip changed your prospect in everyday life? How are you trying to slow down in your routine?
xo
Tiger
More:
Barcelona adventures
Seville adventures
Disney Fantasy Cruise Spain, Italy and France
Tips for Sevilla Visit
