strategies I want to keep after our trip

Share some of the strategies that I have tried to maintain in our lives after our trip.

Hello friends! How are you? How was the weekend? I hope you had a great one! We celebrated my Nana’s birthday, the pilot was at home in a trip, I taught a kind of bar and met a friend for the brunch. We also receive some monzonic rain, which is always a bit of pleasure.

For today’s publication, I wanted to chat a little about our trip, my perspective since we returned and some of the strategies I have tried to maintain. As you know, we love to travel. I feel that it is the most uncomfortable way to spend the money we have earned, in experiences, and gives us the opportunity to be far from the hustle and enjoy time as a family (or as a couple). Travel always gives me perspective and helps me remember what my energy and joy really feeds … And what doesn’t.

While we were in Spain, we could take our time and really enjoy every day. I have really tried to maintain some of the things that I loved so much of our trip (you know, in addition to the epic views, culture and food …) and put them in a small list. It is not really “vacation mode” forever, but what the trip reminded me most.

strategies I want to keep after our trip

1. Walk as much as possible

We walked miles a day, we don’t even try, and the movement felt natural and refreshing, not forced. While it is a bit more challenging here, I’m still trying to recreate this a little at home with walks after dinner, walk during meetings and walk through Maisey when the rain has cooled things a bit.

It’s fun because Tucson is not a friendly city to walk. Everything is far, it is a million degrees, and if you are out walking, most people will assume that your car broke, unless you are in a neighborhood or on the way. It is definitely the peak of summer, so I’ve been using my lilhadilla to walk throughout the day. In Spain, I had easily reached 20k steps per day, and I have to be intentional to reach 10k here.

2. Cook from scratch (and choose places that do the same)

The food we ate felt nutritious and intentional, whether it was made in the Airbnb, by friends (our friend Tony makes an epic carrilla) or by a chef in a cozy local place. While I don’t think we need to have elegant meals all the time, the quality and freshness of the ingredients say a lot. I discovered that since we have been at home, there is only a handful of restaurants here that feel it is worth the cost for me. I prefer to buy good ingredients and cook at home, instead of paying 100-200 for a mediocre meal for the four.

3. Keep simple meals

I also remembered that meals did not need 18 ingredients or 3 sauces to be satisfactory. A piece of grilled fish, some roasted vegetables, a drizzle of olive and lemon oil: perfection. As our trip was on the longest side, I could cook in the Airbnb, but I didn’t want to buy a ton of ingredients and components. Our meals were so simple, fresh and satisfying.

4. Stay awake late and sleep (seasonally)

It was really magical to hug the summer nights: the children until late, the spontaneous ice cream runs, the morning light that appeared through the windows while you are still curled up in bed. It is not a routine forever, but a fun reminder to fold the rules sometimes. The school year is very rigid and scheduled (it has to be), so it felt as an epic pleasure to remain awake until midnight or 1 am, most of the nights and start the day around 9:30.

5. Slow meals with good company

Recreate 2 -hour meals, whether dinner in the patio with friends, or only four at the dining room table. I loved that meals do not rush, which allows you to enjoy food and company much more. I find that you are more tune in with signs of hunger, so you actually eat less. I have been trying to reduce speed a bit with all aspects of life.

6. Priorit new adventures with girls

Even at home: new parks, new recipes, small one -day excursions or just let them help me plan something “new.” Travel always reminds me how magical the world is to see through its eyes. In addition, what they say is true: they grow very fast. The things they used to enjoy are no longer so exciting, so it has been fun to explore what they like and have some new adventures together.

7. If you take a break … nothing falls apart

This is great. Together, we all carry a great mental and emotional burden, especially as moms. We are the ones who remember that mysteriously they were left without socks, the ingredients we need to collect for dinner, ask for a gift for the birthday party this weekend, a child has a dentist appointment tomorrow, along with work deadlines and tasks. It was refreshing to step back … and nothing broke. The blog, the entrance tray, the tasks; Everyone was waiting when we returned, and it was fine.

When both girls were babies, I was still blogging three times a day and could not imagine take off for more than a brief weekend. I ended up taking about six weeks free of work, for the first time, and nothing broke.

Pre-written my content in advance and only received calls from customers and emails while we were out. It was a great gift, and gave me a new inspiration and energy to return to the things we returned. While I don’t think I took six weeks free in the short term, hahaha, it is a good reminder that you can get away a little and things will be fine.

8. Take time for art, music and culture

Either a museum, live music or listen to a symphony in Spotify while preparing dinner, add wealth to everyday life. You don’t have to be in another country to bring beauty to your day. I am trying to make an effort to book theater tickets, enjoy outdoor music, visit the museum and bring small fragments of culture and joy to our lives.

9. NUTRIAR COMMUNITY

One of the most beautiful things in Spain is the community environment. Our friends go to an international school in Seville, and parents often meet. They are constantly enjoying a drink or tapas together while the children leave and play, and plan meals, one -day excursions and play dates. We are lucky to have an incredible community here in Tucson, so it was a good reminder to continue promoting the relationships that are important to us.

10. Dress for the day

Europeans have a way of appearing for the day. While leggings totally have their place (I will never leave them completely hahaha), dressing feels good. I definitely feel more concentrated and productive when I am in clothes * real * instead of sweatshirts and a hoodie. 😉

So, tell me friends: A trip has changed your perspective of everyday life? How do you try to reduce speed in your routine?

XO

Gina

Further:

Adventures of Barcelona

Seville Adventures

Disney Fantasy Cruise Spain, Italy and France

Tips for visiting Seville