If you’re like me, someone who enjoys being in their own house, sat on their own sofa, surrounded by their own things, it can be difficult when you also want to travel and see the world. I love to travel, I just wish I could teleport home every night, y’know? After a few nights of rushing around the UK for various necessary but rushed things, I’m really feeling the strain, my body and mind are both struggling and I’m thinking about my planned summer trip and how to make this easier. I thought a post about how to handle this situation would be a good read, because I’m definitely not the only one who feels this way on longer trips. Read on for my tips on surviving a longer trip.
Avoid moving every day
It’s so tempting, when you’re trying to cover multiple countries in a trip like I do, to plan one night in one country, the next night in a other, and see 10 countries over 14 days. Fine if you can handle that, (please share how!) but I absolutely can’t. I plan my trips now with two or three nights in each city, so that I have time to unpack, do some washing, wash my hair, potentially cook myself a meal and have at least one lie in. Moving every day makes things feel so much more rushed and you just can’t rush constantly if the aim is surviving a longer trip.
Plan down time
On my first multi country trip I decided that I needed to cram in seeing 30 or more things each day, every day, and that time on buses or trains between cities was the only rest I needed. This is not the case. Whether it’s just my personality or whether it’s travelling with Fibromyalgia, or both, I need down time every day. When I’m planning a trip, now, I plan either a lie in, or going back to my accommodation for a few hours in the middle or the day, or a very early night, every single day. I use the time to edit photos, watch Netflix, read or listen to music, but I’m back where I’m staying, resting. I can’t sustain any longer than 48 hours away from home without doing this.
Pack home comforts
Everyone has things that remind them of home, and I really value my home comforts on a longer trip. I always pack my boyfriend’s hoody, a teddy I sleep with, and a photo of my dog in a mini frame. A couple of bits of food from home too-microwave popcorn if I know there’ll be a microwave, a packet of pasta or super noodles for that time you need a quick, familiar meal, and usually some sweets. Surviving a longer trip feels easier with some of my own stuff around me.
Eat well as often as possible
This doesn’t mean eat in fancy places, I’m talking about making sure you get some fruit and veg inside you once in a while. After about three days of fast food and snacking on the go I feel AWFUL so it’s important that I either cook for myself, or find somewhere serving a proper healthy meal frequently.
Keep in contact with your closest people
A lot of people think that when you’re on a trip, you shouldn’t be on social media or texting your friends. I disagree, and if I didn’t do this I’d really struggle. Spending time on social media, and scheduling in regular phone calls with people, helps me when I’m feeling stressed out, and often telling someone else my plans helps me to keep them clear in my head too.
Do you have any other tips on surviving a longer trip? Let me know in the comments
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