Limit Your Screen Time
During this trip I had a ton of computer work to do…emails, newsletters, etc. I had just started reading about the effects of too much screen time, and decided to make a conscious effort to cut back on mine. I use the Screen Time app on my iPhone to keep me aware of how much time I log. It is too easy to get sucked into your screens on planes, trains, in hotel rooms, etc.
My suggestions: pack a good a book, set your Screen Time limits to 15-30min of social media per day, and bring blue-light blocking glasses with you for when you need to work! In those awkward 20-40 minutes before lobby calls, I now try to either squeeze in a quick hotel room workout, call someone I love, or practice instead of getting sucked into my phone.
P.S. I always tell students that my class is a #TarantiNOPhoneZone 🙂
BYOC (Bring Your Own Caffeine)
BYOC…bring your own caffeine! When I first started traveling a lot, I would wake up and have to search for my caffeine immediately. Depending on where I was, it could be nearly impossible to find a decent place. Or, I could be stuck with inedible instant coffee…or worse…no coffee! I have since switched to tea and try to grab a couple of extra tea bags when I can (from hotels, lounges, etc) to keep in my travel bags for caffeine emergencies. I also buy my favorite teas in bulk at home so I can pack a few in every suitcase. It makes a huge difference and saves time on the road to have my essentials with me for a strong start to the day.
Carry On Like a Pro
If you’re flying for a trip and plan to bring souvenirs/gifts home with you, the obvious tip is to pack light and leave space in your bag so that you have room on the way back. Well, for those of us who have a bit of an over-packing problem, this is just not in our worldview. After several years of flying in various cabins on various airlines with multiple bags and instruments, I have discovered an airport hack that has yet to fail me.
My two allotted items on the plane are generally my carry-on suitcase and my saxophone. Usually I’ll have items in my suitcase that I want to take out for my flight (laptop, books, etc), or sometimes I’m carrying a purse in addition. In this situation where I can’t consolidate into two items, I will get a plastic bag from one of those airport vendors like Hudson News or Cibo Express. Sometimes they will just give you one and other times you might have to buy a pack of mints or something small. If I’m really prepared I’ll actually have some bags in my suitcase already. I do try to conceal it as best I can. But in my experience, airline employees don’t question if you’ve got an airport vendor bag, because it looks like you were spending your money at an airport establishment.
So far, this has worked for me in the handful of instances where I was desperate…I hope it works for you too!
