Sharing some of the strategies I’ve tried to keep in our lives after our trip.
Hi friends! How are you? How was the weekend? I hope that you had a great one! We celebrated my nana’s bday, the Pilot was home from a trip, I taught a barre class, and met up with a friend for brunch. We also got some monsoon rain, which is always a little treat.
For today’s post, I wanted to chat a bit about our trip, my perspective since we’ve been back, and some of the strategies I’ve tried to maintain. As you guys know, we LOVE to travel. I feel like it’s the most fufilling way for us to spend the money we’ve earned – on experiences – and it gives us a chance to be away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy time as a family (or as a couple). Travel always gives me perspective and helps me to remember what actually fuels my energy and joy… and what doesn’t.
While we were in Spain, we were able to take our time and genuinely enjoy each day. I’ve really tried to keep some of the things that I loved so much about our trip (you know, besides the epic sights, culture and food…) and put them into a little list. It’s not really about “vacation mode” forever, but rather what the trip reminded me matters most.
strategies I want to keep after our trip
1. Walk as Much as Possible
We walked miles daily, not even trying, and movement felt natural and refreshing – not forced. While it’s a little more challenging here, I’m still trying to recreate this a bit at home with walks after dinner, walking during meetings, and walking Maisey when the rain has cooled things down a bit.
It’s funny because Tucson is NOT a walking-friendly city. Everything is far, it’s a million degrees, and if you’re outside walking, most people will assume your car broke down, unless you’re in a neighborhood or walking path. It’s definitely the peak of summer, so I’ve been using my lil walking pad throughout the day. In Spain, I’d EASILY hit 20k steps per day, and I have to be intentional to hit 10k here.
2. Cook From Scratch (and Choose Places That Do the Same)
They food we ate felt nourishing and intentional, whether it was made at the Airbnb, by friends (our friend Tony makes an EPIC carrillada) or by a chef at a cozy local spot. While I don’t think we need to have fancy meals all the time, the quality and freshness of ingredients speaks volumes. I’ve found that since we’ve been home, there are only a handful of restaurants here that feel worth the cost to me. I’d rather buy good ingredients and cook at home, instead of pay 100-200 for a mediocre meal for the four of us.
3. Keep Meals Simple
I also remembered that meals didn’t need 18 ingredients or 3 sauces to be satisfying. A piece of grilled fish, some roasted veggies, a drizzle of olive oil and lemon: perfection. Since our trip was on the longer side, I was able to cook in the Airbnb but also didn’t want to buy a ton of ingredients and components. Our meals were so simple, fresh, and satisfying.
4. Stay Up Late and Sleep In (Seasonally)
It was truly magical to embrace summer nights: kids up late, spontaneous gelato runs, morning light peeking through the windows while you’re still curled up in bed. It’s not a forever routine, but a fun reminder to bend the rules sometimes. The school year is very rigid and scheduled (it has to be), so it felt like an epic treat to stay up until midnight or 1am most nights and start the day around 9:30.
5. Slow Meals With Good Company
Recreate the 2-hour meals, whether it’s dinner on the patio with friends, or just the four of us at the dining room table. I loved that meals aren’t rushed, which enables you to enjoy the food and company so much more. I find that you’re more in tuned with hunger cues so you actually eat less. I’ve been trying to slow down a little with all aspects of life.
6. Prioritize New Adventures With the Girls
Even at home: new parks, new recipes, little day trips, or just letting them help me plan something “new.” Travel always reminds me how magical it is to see the world through their eyes. Also, what they say is true: they grow up SO quickly. Things they used to enjoy aren’t as exciting anymore, so it’s been fun to explore what they’re into and have some new adventures together.
7. If You Take a Break… Nothing Falls Apart
This one’s big. Together, we’re all carrying a huge mental and emotional load, especially as moms. We’re the ones who remember who mysteriously ran out of socks, the ingredients we need to pick up for dinner, order a gift for the birthday party this weekend, one kid has a dentist appointment tomorrow, along with work deadlines and chores. It was refreshing to just take a step back… and nothing broke. The blog, the inbox, the chores; they were all waiting when we returned, and it was ok.
When both girls were babies, I was still blogging three times a day and couldn’t imagine taking off for more than a short weekend. I ended up taking about six weeks off work, for the first time ever, and nothing broke.
I pre-wrote my content in advance and only took client calls and emails while we were away. It was a huge gift, and it gave me new inpiration and energy to get back into things the second we were back. While I don’t think I’ll take six weeks off again anytime soon lol it’s a good reminder that you CAN step away for a bit and things will be ok.
8. Make Time for Art, Music, and Culture
Whether it’s a museum, live music, or listening to a symphony on Spotify while making dinner, it adds richness to everyday life. You don’t have to be in another country to bring beauty into your day. I’m trying to make an effort to book theatre tickets, enjoy outdoor music, visit museum, and bring little bits of culture and joy into our lives.
9. Nurture Community
One of the most beautiful things about Spain is the community environment. Our friends go to an international school in Sevilla, and the parents get together frequently. They’re constantly enjoying a drink or tapas together while the kids go off and play, and planning meals, day trips, and playdates. We’re fortunate to have an incredible community here in Tucson, so it was a good reminder to continue to nurture the relationships that are important to us.
10. Get Dressed for the Day
Europeans have a way of showing up for the day with care. While, leggings totally have their place (I’ll never quit them fully lol), getting dressed feels good. I definitely feel more focused and productive when I’m in *real* clothes instead of sweats and a hoodie.
So, tell me friends: has a trip changed your perspective on everyday life? How do you try to slow down in your routine?
xo
Gina
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