French Press & Lists
When you come home from a trip, do you ever feel like you’ll never have the same routine that you had before you left?
These past few weeks have been nothing but an adventure. It’s always been my dream to travel abroad to foreign countries and get lost alone. There was a great deal that was learned and there were a few things that changed for the better…
To start, daylights savings time was skipped because Europe is très cool and don’t have it until this week. Coming back wasn’t so confusing even though there a 9 hour time difference. It didn’t bother me one bit to “spring ahead”. Another positive was being forced not to use my debt card due to the foreign transaction fee. It got tiresome real quick and cash became a main payment method. Not to mention eating in moderation and not taking food for total granted. Finding food wasn’t difficult but their way of life is to sit and enjoy every second of your meal. Work/Life/Balance is definitely more of a Life/Balance/Work lifestyle. Something I’d like to semi-adapt into my day.
The things that you don’t know you’ll miss until you’re gone for two weeks are suddenly the best things ever. In Rome, Ibuprofen (Advil) was around 22 euros for 12 pills! Plus, you have to read medication in another language. Also, Seattle tap water. For the love, Oregon and Washington have some of the best water in the world and it’s so refreshing. Living off of bottled water is tough and also pricey. And last, being mindful of transportation and knowing where you’re going. A real sense of home set in when my foot stepped onto SeaTac’s carpet. There was no sense of panic to find a bus or train. Knowing that you’re back home is nothing but soothing after a big trip. Not to mention the nice long shower you can take when you get home to wipe the travel off.
Already, my routine is completely shot because of all of the things being added into my life. Most of you may not know this but mornings are not my thing but the time difference has me waking up at 4:30am every morning. That time has been used for the better and easing myself into the morning. It’s strange but that time is being used for reflection and preparation for the rest of the day. It’s helped me go easy on myself and taught me that this should be a priority. Not just because coming back from a long trip is hard but because it’s helpful, supportive of yourself and kind.
Sunday morning was a very early but prepping for the week was one of the reasons for coming home on Saturday afternoon. All of my books were pulled out, my pen and my phone in preparation for the day. My lists were written while I waited on my french press to brew and my ibotta coupons were unlocked and ready for my normal weekend shopping trip. It was the perfect morning.
