The 100 Years Club Installment #78: The First 30 Days of My Hot Woman Summer
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I have long been a fan of the listicle.
So, here I am, roughly 30 days into summer (because I started counting on June 6th), and I just returned from the first leg of my “Hot Woman Summer” adventures.
I will offer 30 things I’ve learned about hitting the road with a one-way ticket.
Although my primary focus these days is people of my generation, many of these learnings apply to anyone who is (or aspires to be) a digital nomad.
You can also check out my travel website for more tips.
These 30 are a mixture of basic common sense & some stuff you might not normally think about but I learned throughout my journey:
- Ask yourself (frequently), “Why the hell not?” Be open to new experiences and adventures.
- Be fearless. Take a risk (or two or three). But don’t be totally wacky.
- Pack light. I’m still learning this one. My next trip will be just with a carry-on.
- Use packing cubes. They keep things tidy, especially when you’re staying in multiple places. These are my favorites. I showed my eight-year-old granddaughter how to “squish” them; she thought it was super cool, especially when I gave her and her younger brother some money for helping me pack. (She told her brother she would hold his money for him, but I’m a little skeptical, especially because he didn’t ask for a receipt.)
- Pack an umbrella or poncho. Dashing through a downpour is no fun.
- Pack bandaids. All that walking can take its toll. Be sure to bring at least two pairs of shoes.
- Mix it up. I went from suburban to rural to urban to suburban and back to urban. The change of locations and hotels kept me from boredom. I realized once again that I love to drive. If this writing/podcasting/coaching thing doesn’t work out, I could be a chauffeur or Uber driver.
- Balance work and play. I got most of my business done in the early morning, freeing up my days and nights.
- Avoid stress. This one is essential! See #13. I am learning to keep my cortisol levels in check.
- Welcome a culture fix. I took myself to the theater one night to see a great play. I wasn’t lonely at all. A random woman even struck up a conversation while we were waiting to go in.
- Live music and quirky events abound in the summer. Check out local calendars.
- Exercise, and don’t let your eating habits go entirely to hell. I splurged on my final day (see #22), but otherwise, I was very mindful of my healthy habits, attended a few workout classes, and walked a ton!
- Get comfortable with uncertainty and discomfort. You may think you have a plan, but shit happens. I cut my trip six days short because a friend flaked out. I just pivoted (as they say).
- When you have a bad day, shake it off. I had a couple of moments of deep loneliness and angst. Remind yourself how lucky you are to be free(ish).
- Find those hidden gems. One of my best meals (wings and local beer) was at a dive bar in Odenton, Maryland. It was in the middle of a residential area; one of those places you would never find without Google and Waze. Mid-wings, I was hit on by a random handsome 40-something-year-old crypto dude, which was flattering, but acting on it would have fallen into the category of wacko (see #2)
- Get to know the front desk staff. You don’t have to be weird about it, but be friendly, especially if you’re staying in a hotel for a few days.
- Speak up when you’re not having a great experience at a hotel. Avoid staging a meltdown in the lobby, but management will often give you a concession if the service is less than ideal.
- Wait until the last minute to make plans. I booked two of my hotels a day before I arrived and scheduled my return flight during my final week back east.
- Make time to see friends and family. When you’re passing through an area, think about who you might know who would be fun to hang out with for a little while.
- When visiting your kids and grandkids, make yourself useful. Ask, “What can I do to make your life easier?” You want to be a welcome guest and not a burden.
- Be mindful of your spending, but…
- Splurge a little. My “last lunch” was a no-roll lobster roll at a lovely outdoor restaurant (that even had real tablecloths!). After all, I was on the East Coast.
- If you’re single, don’t be afraid to switch your settings on the dating apps to travel mode. You never know who you might meet — even if it’s just a new friend, dinner companion, or business connection.
- Take pictures. Duh!
- Journal. I live a mostly paper-free life, so I did it in Canva. See below.
- If you find yourself lonely or bored, call a friend back home and make fun plans for your return.
- Book your next adventure. One way to minimize post-travel blues is to have your next trip already booked.
- Use the time between your trips to accomplish the boring stuff in your life like doctor’s appointments, haircuts, etc.
- Unpack and do laundry as soon as you get back. You’ll feel so efficient!
- Reflect on what you learned!
My next adventure may be a staycation in Scottsdale over the holiday weekend.
I also have a journey to Iowa planned (to visit a friend and prove that all the “I” states have something interesting going on—even for this die-hard NY girl). I’ve been to Illinois and Indiana. Let’s see what’s happenin’ in Des Moines!
After all, Why the hell not?
P.S. I’m re-branding my podcast this fall. If you haven’t voted yet, please help me pick a name.
Just click on any or all of my “travel notebooks” for a day-by-day summary of my adventures. And if you’re REALLY interested, just reach out and I’ll send you the slow-mo versions. 🙂
Yes and yes and an emphatic YES!! Loved your advice so much and also find it to be true.