Over the last couple of years, I’ve been home about ten days/month, on average. So I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’ve experienced my fair share of travel burnout.
Being able to travel a lot is exciting. I’m young, able-bodied, and don’t have any pets or children holding me back right now. Plus, I’m my own boss and can work from anywhere as long as I have a camera and a laptop. I have the opportunity to see the world, and you bet I’m going to take advantage of it.
However, being on the road a lot is far from glamorous. Travel can be very draining, physically, and mentally. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my limits over the last couple of years. So here’s how I avoid travel burnout.
Easy Ways to Avoid Travel Burnout
Work on the Go
Honestly? The last time I took a real “vacation” while traveling was when I was in Argentina for my birthday. Most of the time, if I’m on the road, I won’t even put an out of office up because A. a lot of people ignore it anyway and B. it’s not realistic for me to be out of the office for 2/3 of the month.
If I’m on the road, I do set aside some time during my trip to get things done. I like to wake up early and work out of a coffee shop for a few hours before exploring a new destination, so that I can stay on top of things. I also have a manager that handles the negotiations for most of the brand partnerships I’m working on, which frees up a ton of time for me — there’s no need for me to stare at my computer for 8 hours a day! As long as I take a few hours out of my day to send out emails and schedule social media, I can stay on top of any current projects I have.
Use Your Time at Home Strategically
Sometimes I might only have 48-72 hours between trips. In that instance, I make sure to prioritize what tasks and errands need to get done while I’m home.
Obviously things like laundry and catching up on work take priority, but I’ll also use that time to schedule in doctor’s appointments, get my hair/nails done, and to knock out any other necessary maintenance appointments while I’m home. Then I’ll unpack/repack/get back on the road yet again.
Saying “No” When You Need to
I’m a people pleaser, so saying “no” is always hard for me. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve learned that saying “no” can be one of the best things you can do for yourself.
As I mentioned above, I have to budget in time for necessary errands in between trips. However, I also have to schedule in “me” time and listen to my body. Sometimes I’m sluggish after a trip and need to take a nap rather than hang out with friends. Sometimes I need to unwind and say no to that blog event. I have to listen to my body and not push myself too much!
Accept That You’ll Never Have a “Routine”
When people ask me what a typical week looks like for me…I don’t have an answer for that. If I’m home for an extended period of time, I might temporarily get into some sort of routine, but because I travel so much, my life is all over the place.
I’ll be candid with you: my apartment usually looks like a complete mess since I’m on the go so much. Sometimes I might need to give myself some grace and sleep in the day after I come home from a long trip. I haven’t been able to join a gym because I’m in and out of town too much to use a membership. I have to take it day by day, and accept that right now a structured “routine” isn’t something that’s attainable for me.
What are some ways your avoid travel burnout? Share in a comment below!
