May and June were more intense than usual. 21 flights, 29 cities, and flying 2-4 times a week back-and-forth between the bands. I landed in Denver for the Colorado Irish Fest and breathed a big sigh of relief. This is my 4th year at the festival, and it’s come to feel like a home for many reasons. I have several wonderful “Road Moms” here who always have sparkling water and treats waiting for me, and I get to see lots of familiar faces in our long-time friends and fans. More than anything, it’s a place I get to experience frequently enough that I know what to expect. I know what the hotel is like, my favorite trail routes, what the hospitality tent will offer, and the name of my driver. (Myron is from Cleveland, and every year we bond about being midwesterners.)

I found myself savoring this level of predictability, and realized it was because it almost never happens in my daily travel life. In fact, most mornings I wake up feeling like I know next to nothing about the conditions I’ll face or how the day will unfold. Both my bands are very different in schedule, tour routines, and travel methodology, so week-to-week there is rarely any consistency, either. This level of uncertainty is wearing, and has created a need for me to be that much more diligent about the things I can control. Honestly, rather than this crazy travel year making me more relaxed, I feel like it’s given me a certain amount more to “worry” about, because being overly-prepared is often the only way I’ll stay healthy, reasonably comfortable, and get things done in the face of so many unknowns. (This may sound like complaining, but here’s my past post acknowledging my extreme privilege: Keeping Perspective)

In an average day, here are a few examples of the many uncertainties and how I counteract them. Travelers will commiserate:

• Hotel beds, pillows, and thermostats are all different, and so is the amount of light the curtains let in. Sleep is always questionable.
       I bring melatonin, a sleep mask, and sometimes my own pillowcase.
• Some hotel gyms have 18 cardio machines, others have none.
      I keep a bootcamp-style workout app ready to go.
• Sometimes the band wants to get breakfast together, other times we fend for ourselves.
      I always bring breakfast options, and forage the hotel breakfasts.
• On the days The Moxie Strings spends all day teaching, the classroom could be a sauna or it could be freezing.
      I seek out versatile layers like vests and cardigans, and I keep a thermal base-layer in my instrument case. More packing tips to come!
• Flying every few days means extreme differences in outdoor temperature and humidity/dryness.
      I bring a travel humidifier for my instrument, and LOTS of hair product options.
• The venue might provide healthy dinner options, a catering tray full of glorious manicotti, after-show pizza, or nothing.
      I get creative and bring a lot with me. (See post on all my travel food here.)
• The guys might decide to have a “quiet night” and go to bed early, or they might decide to spend several hours hanging out after the show. Drinks may be provided and encouraged, or not.
      I pick my occasional drinking nights, and learn to love La Croix.

This daily game of “wait and see” sometimes causes me to lose my ability to be excited by newness and seize opportunities, which is usually the beauty of travel. I catch myself saying things like “I thought the plan was…” or “I was expecting to…”

I surround myself by consistencies (more here) and do my best to be adaptable, but it’s a lot to take on and perfectionism doesn’t help. I do love this level excitement in life and would be bored without it, but I’m learning that it’s a delicate dance between planning, preparedness, and an ability to throw both out the window. (More here: Plan to Un-Plan)

Now I keep several mantras on the tip of my tongue at all times to keep calm and positive in times of extreme uncertainty. They may be helpful while traveling.

I say to myself:

“You chose this life” or “You chose to be on this trip”

“You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t equipped for this.”

“Times like these keep life exciting.”

“You’ll look back and wish you’d savored this time.”

“Nothing is wasted time. There is always something to be gained”

“This is a time like no other.”

“These are amazing ‘problems’ to have”

And, when necessary:

“Most everything is a credit card swipe or overnight shipment away.”

Do any of these resonate with you?

Deep breaths, drriifters 💙🌏💨
Diana