Let's Talk Routines

One thing I think we all learned from last week's IT outage is that traveling can be very stressful and chaotic. While many people find travel stressful every single time, it doesn’t have to be this way. Yes, there are situations beyond our control, but one way I avoid feeling flustered, annoyed, or worked up is by creating routines for myself. I have several types of routines when I travel:

1. My packing routine
2. My pre-flight morning routine (I am currently working on my evening pre-flight routine)
3. My airport routine
4. My mid-flight routine
5. My pre-landing routine (for long-haul flights only)
6. My post-flight routine

This might seem like a lot, but it allows me to feel my best when traveling and sets my mind right before dealing with people, annoyances, and delays.

A routine can help you feel in control (hello type-A personalities) and tune out the noise from things we cannot control. Routines can also become meditative, helping you feel your best overall. Sometimes, we aren't traveling for pleasure but for work, which can be stressful, or we're traveling due to family emergencies. For example, when my grandmother was ill, I was already in New York. After being away from home for four weeks, I planned the funeral, flew home to regroup, and then flew back to New York 24 hours later for the funeral. I made sure to follow all my routines during that travel day to feel good and peaceful and to prepare myself for the stressful and emotional days ahead.

Routines should not feel tedious or like a chore; they should feel rewarding and something you look forward to. They don’t need to be 10 steps long; even 2-3 steps can make a difference. There are no rules—it’s all about making you feel good. It’s personal and about finding what works for you.

Routines are a big part of 100mL and why I started it. Over the next month, I will be sharing all of my routines while I travel. You might think I'm over the top, but this is a judgment-free space. I hope it inspires you to find your own routines when you travel because remember, traveling should be fun and exciting!