An Innocent Introvert’s Mistake!

Getting ready to leave home for any extended period of time is difficult, let alone a new country, when you have a small business, and when you decide to do said “leaving” for 2.5 months. Some of the things you won’t of course suspect as being “difficult” is just the sheer emotional roller coaster, packing (esp for a woman), and just trying to plan for every mishap actually can cause you more strife in the long run. Here is a list of the random lessons about my second nonparental flight internationally– hope it gives you some jollies.

1) SPONTANEOUS EMOTING… Even if you try to stay strong for family members before leaving (totally admirable), just realize that your body still feels stess and will subconciously recognize what your feeling even if you don’t choose to acknowledge it! Don’t be surprised if you spontaneous emote when you rationally feel fine.

2) DON’T TAKE YOUR COMFORT FOODIMAL… Don’t try and think of everything! Something is bound to go imperfect no matter what. I had higher hopes for myself (being a wedding photographer) to be better accepting of these imperfect situations, but I personally fell victim to trying to save money, and packing too many items of sentimental value for quick introverted recovery! Of course I couldn’t part with my foodimal (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 reference), but other favorite tolietries and alike stayed home while the rest of us went to market. It’s amazing how much a full can of hairspray can weigh! Aim to purchase some goods in the country you’re traveling to!

3) HOW TO ROLL WITH YOUR CARRY-ONS…Pack bags portional to your stature. A 40 pound carry on and a 30 lb personal bag makes for a long, tiring walk around the airport. Within the first 30 mins I sure wished I could look just as ridiculous with a rolley set of my own!

4) TIME FOR SERENDIPITY… Time is one of the most important luxuries you can have on your side when traveling (note: we are doing so without kids), especially around the holidays. Adequate layovers can save you stress when flights are delayed, and overbooked. Or if the pilot decides to make you wait on the aircraft instead (after deboarding you the first time) while mechanics repressurize the plane. But you know, other than the crying babies, and upright seats that have ergonomically been ignored, you will get through it.

5) TRAVEL WITH SOMEONE YOU CAN DEPEND ON… I was very close to saying that you should just travel with an loveable Australian, but I realize that those are increasingly hard to come by (especially ones that are also both athletic and cute)! I cannot say how thankful I was to have a strong, level headed (evening out my type A traveling personality), pleasant person to travel with. I was able to trust Isaac every step of the way.