1. Do practice runs.
Our three-week long trip last April to the United States started with a 24-hour journey (from Manila door to New York door.)
We knew that this long trip would test anyone’s patience, not only a seven-year-old’s. So before the US, we practiced with long road trips (including a 10-hour drive to Ilocos Norte). We went on short jaunts to Hong Kong and Macau and then finally, the four-hour plane journey to Osaka.
Because of these, B, our daughter, waited patiently in line, walked more than 10,000 steps and just pulled out the iPad to play games when she would get bored. We knew the snacks to pack, the treats to dole out at the right time, the movies to load for maximum peace during travel.
The takeaway:
When making changes in your life, try a practice run first. Research a new career, exercise program or entrepreneurial venture. See if you can be an intern. Take a trial class. Try a side hustle. Not everything needs to be a leap of faith.
2. It’s called a vacation, silly.
As much as we wanted to cram our days with as much sights and delights New York, Orlando and Washington DC could offer, we had to account for the jet lag…and the tired-ness of both little and big feet.
There were days when B didn’t want to leave the apartment. There were times when she was more interested in playing with her cousins than seeing another museum. She wanted to watch TV and be entertained by American TV commercials.
And we let her.
The takeaway:
Yes, you want to carpe-the-heck out of the diem but sometimes you just need to listen to your body and allow rest, breathing and reveling in your rare free time.
3. Use your imagination.
Boring museums. Another long line. A less-than-charming High Line with its bare wintery trees.
These became opportunities to make stories out of a painting’s subjects, a time to play trivia games or participate in hill-climbing challenges out of benches.
The takeaway:
Bored with your routine? Use your imagination to transform the mundane into something better. Make making memos into a game. Create stories about why your client is always so hot-tempered. Re-arrange your desk. Take a different route to work.
4. Embrace the unexpected.
There were rides we didn’t get to experience in Disneyworld (oh, it’s a Small World and Space Mountain—you were missed!). We never got to climb to the top of the Empire State Building…even if it was only a block away. We only got to see check out the Air & Space Museum and the Hirshhorn, despite the wealth of Smithsonian museums and other historic Washington sights.
But we did get to meet Moana and Olaf. We visited our favorite bakery in Soho twice (cookie shots at Dominique Ansel—yummmmm!). There were precious playdates with younger cousins.
The takeaway:
Life doesn’t always turn out the way you want. But what shows up can sometimes be better than what you had planned.
5. Set some boundaries.
Gaaahhh! An afternoon at the American Girl store on Fifth Avenue. Gift shops as soon as you exit ANY ride in Disneyworld. A hyper seven-year-old let loose in the aisles of Toys R’ Us.
To make sure these shopping expeditions didn’t empty our wallets, we set some boundaries before the trip. One doll and one accessory from American Girl. One costume from Disneyworld (and no Mickey Mouse hats!). One toy from Toys R’ Us.
We spent our money on experiences (museum and Broadway tickets) and delicious food instead.
The takeaway:
To reach any goal, set your own boundaries by identifying your values and sticking to them. If you want to spend more time with your family, avoid checking your email after work. If you want to do more things you love, allocate 30 minutes a day to your favorite hobby and make this time sacred. If you want a sexy bikini body, make sure your workout schedule is as important as a meeting with your boss.
6. East or west, home is best.
B always brings her favorite teddy bear on any trip. I pack my Mickey Mouse shirt and floral pajama pants that don’t match. My travel pouch always includes my rosary. No matter where we are in the world, we try to bring a little bit of home with us.
The takeaway:
Home represents love, support, safety, security. Whatever makes those feelings come up for you, take that along wherever you go—for example, photos of your family, a shell you picked up during an unforgettable vacation, a religious talisman.
7. And finally, our motto for the trip: Don’t say no until you’ve tried it.
Medium-rare steak. Sushi. The Haunted Mansion ride. Petting a llama. Lining up at 6:30 a.m. for the Yayoi Kusama exhibit.
These were some of the things that pushed B—and us—out of our comfort zones on our trip.
The takeaway:
Step out of the comfy cocoon you’ve created for yourself and experience the possibilities that lie just beyond discomfort.
