There are two main reasons that most people travel; for pleasure and for work. These two modes of travel put you in a different frame of mind, such that you may react totally differently to the same events. For example, getting up early for a work trip may make you feel lethargic. However, getting up at the same time for holidays can leave you energised, curious and excited. You’ll probably relish seeing the sun come up, knowing this means your holidays are just about to begin. Below, we’ve set out a few, helpful travel tips – whether you’re going on a business trip or setting out on a holiday adventure.
Travelling for work
If you travel for work, you’ll probably visit the same cities, stay at the same hotels and mostly go to the same restaurants. Chances are you won’t be looking for anything new or different. You’ll try to keep your routine and give your job responsibilities all of your focus. When you want to relax after a hard day’s work, it will benefit you to revert to the familiar, your comfort zone. But how can you achieve that in a sterile hotel environment? Firstly, you can ask yourself what makes your home feel familiar. Often this will be some small keepsake items and the rituals you follow at home.
Making things familiar (1)
Think about your home rituals for bathing. Maybe you like a particular essential oil, candle or soap. Perhaps you read your favourite magazine. Are you able to take these things with you, or find them on your travels? Maybe you like to drink a certain type of tea in your favourite mug while watching the news. Is it possible for you to bring your favourite mug and tea with you? Perhaps you simply enjoy watching TV in a bathrobe and thick, warm socks. Well, pack and bring your socks with you! Even the smallest things can transport us back and enhance the feeling of homeliness.
Travelling for pleasure
Reminders of home are probably less important when you travel for pleasure. On holiday, you have a different frame of mind as you are probably entering a new environment. Travelling for pleasure often means escaping from your everyday world, but this feeling may not last. You may find that unpacking and organising your things in a familiar manner helps you to focus on the purpose of your trip.
Making things familiar (2)
If your stay is for more than a few nights, you can unpack all your clothes and put them away tidily. You can use the bathroom space for your toiletries and maybe your favourite adult toys. There’ll usually be an ideal spot for your empty suitcase so that you can forget about it until it’s time to repack and check out. By doing these simple things, you can actually temporarily move into your hotel room and behave as if you own the place. By organising your hotel room as you like it, you won’t feel like a guest any more, rather you’ll feel comfortable and able to act like the room belongs to you, and in fact, so long as you stay there, it does!