Once the worrying brain has found something to attach itself to, it can spend hours hypothesizing and constructing elaborate tales of possible outcomes. It wrongly convinces us that somehow fixating on the future will change the course of action. While experiencing worry is a natural response to uncertainty, it doesn’t need to consume the amount of energy or number of hours it often does.
I am incredibly lucky to have a global tribe of people that supports my endeavors and cares for me when I’m in need. You know who you are, and this year wouldn’t have been possible or enjoyable without all of your help. For one of the first times in my life I had to put my fierce independence aside and embrace my need for others, and you all showed up. Historically speaking, relying on others was not my really my “thing.” I spent the years just prior to my travel adventure embracing newly-found independence and convincing myself that this need…
“Where are you based?”“When do you head home?” I still fumble through the answers to these questions after shows. Throughout the year I tried not to use the word “homeless.” More like “home-free.” Usually I mentioned something about two full-time bands and it not making sense to pay rent anywhere, but I’m still not sure most people fully understood what it meant.No closet. No address. No bed. No desk. No nightstand. No junk drawer… Just minimal clothes stashed in different places in the country, and a daily attempt to make a new place feel like a home. I’ll be forever…
Or in my case, several injuries. Poke around this site and you’ll see plenty of posts outlining my quest and strategies for maintaining mental wellness, but this is often despite physical pain as well. (More here) It’s not easy, but respect for my injuries and taking intentional time to care for them can make travel far more comfortable.Here are my daily practices that make it easier to travel with an injury: 1. Do your exercises. It can be hard to prioritize while traveling, but setting aside mandatory time daily to stretch and do physical therapy exercises helps both mentally and…
Just in time for the travelers on your holiday shopping list!I find myself having lots of similar conversations about products people are curious about, so I’ve created this list to have somewhere to send them! I pride myself in a “minimal stuff, maximum efficiency” lifestyle, and these products help make it possible and enjoyable. (I’m not sponsored by any of these brands. Just love them!) Goat Cell Phone Case My favorite find this year. I’m pretty sure it’s magic! Peel the cover off and stick to any shiny surface, but the actual case isn’t sticky to the touch. I’m told…
Less stuff = less stress. Period. Packing fewer things means fewer decisions to make, less to carry around, and less to clutter a hotel room. Packing light doesn’t mean I spend the trip wishing I’d packed something; the total opposite! It has as much to do with my mental approach to travel as it does my actual preparedness; a combination of developing thoughtful strategies to adapt in the moment and also finding key, versatile items. (See post on staying mentally flexible while traveling here) Learning to pack minimally has been one of the most beneficial aspects of this travel year. Here’s…
Eating healthy while traveling is a challenge, but it can be done! It involves bringing certain snacks with me, carefully selecting what I buy, and being extra resourceful with what’s provided to create healthy meals. As I write this I’m watching several super-fit and otherwise healthy people indulging on Cinnabon and TCBY, and have to remind myself that they’re likely on vacation and in a completely different frame of mind than I am as a full-time traveler. “Have that Cinnabon, Becky! You’ve waited all year for this vacation!” I, however, am sitting in the airport on a normal Tuesday, and for…
I love air travel, but it can be so stressful. You can’t be late, but airlines can. It’s expensive, so there’s a lot on the line. Booking flights has to be done early and is very permanent (most airlines charge a $200 change/cancel fee), so it’s kind of a perfectionist decision-maker’s worst nightmare. This year I find myself having to make a decision most weeks about where I’d like to spend my 1-2 days off, and it’s really hard to predict that months in advance! Here are my tips for finding cheap flights, avoiding fees, and booking smart: Embrace Southwest.…
We had a short time and busy schedule in Madison, WI, so we resigned to pretending we weren’t actually there. The Moxie Strings fell in love with Madison after performing at the Mad Gael Music Fest the summer before. We found it to be a fun, fit, open-minded community that appreciates art and great brunch. I wish we could say that on this trip we toured the stunning Capitol Building and jogged the expanse of trails, but there just wasn’t the time. We spent most of our time teaching and then retired to our quaint Air BnB outside the city.…
Handling uncertainty has been one of the hardest but most necessary skills in this travel life. I face uncertainty daily in schedule, sleep patterns, paychecks, band dynamics, meal times, etc. For that, I look for consistency anywhere I can. Routines and familiarity are key. Here are some of my daily tricks: Start your day the same way. Your mind and body will be able to handle far more travel uncertainties if you feed it some consistency in the morning. Plus, it just feels good. Self-care is key! My morning: Something physical (stretching/physical therapy/workout), a cold shower, and a little time enjoying…