Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: solo travel

  • The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Lost Luggage Incident

    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Lost Luggage Incident




    The Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned From a Lost Luggage Incident


    We’ve all been there. Standing anxiously by the baggage carousel, watching fellow passengers reclaim their belongings one by one. The crowd thins, the conveyor belt slows to a stop, and…panic sets in. My suitcase – containing all my carefully curated outfits for a two-week European adventure – was officially AWOL.

    Lost Luggage, Found Perspective?

    My initial reaction? Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. I pictured myself navigating the cobblestone streets of Paris in the same clothes I’d worn on the plane – a wrinkled t-shirt and decidedly un-chic yoga pants.

    Unexpected (And Pack Snacks!)

    Traveling without my trusty suitcase forced me to loosen my grip on my itinerary and be open to spontaneity. I stumbled upon hidden cafes, chatted with locals, and discovered the simple joy of getting wonderfully, gloriously lost. It also taught me the importance of being prepared for anything. From that day forward, my carry-on became a Mary Poppins bag of essentials, including snacks. Lots and lots of snacks.

    Lost Luggage Woes?

    So, tell me, dear readers, have you ever experienced the “joy” of lost luggage? What unexpected life lessons did you learn along the way? Share your stories in the comments below!


  • Confessions of a Chronic Over-Packer (And How I’m Trying to Reform)

    Confessions of a Chronic Over-Packer (And How I’m Trying to Reform)

    Hey fellow travel enthusiasts! Let’s be honest, packing can be a real rollercoaster of emotions. The excitement of planning, the thrill of picking out outfits, and then… the inevitable meltdown when you realize your suitcase has somehow morphed into a beached whale.

    My Suitcase Runneth Over (and Over Again)

    I’ll admit it – I’m a recovering over-packer. My philosophy used to be “pack for every possible scenario,” which, as you can imagine, resulted in some truly comical situations. Like the time I went on a weekend trip with enough clothes for a month-long expedition, or when I lugged a giant hairdryer to a tropical island (humidity, who?).

    My “packing paralysis” reached its peak on a recent trip to Italy. Picture this: me, sweating profusely, trying to cram a mountain of clothes, shoes, and “just in case” items into my suitcase. The zipper refused to budge. I sat on it, I jumped on it, I even considered bribing it with gelato. Nothing worked.

  • The Unexpected Joy of Missing My Train

    The Unexpected Joy of Missing My Train






    The Day My Schedule Went Off the Rails (Literally)

    We’ve all been there. You’re rushing through the station, coffee sloshing precariously, heart pounding to the rhythm of the announcement: “The train departing for…” My moment arrived just last week. There I was, a frantic mess, only to witness my train chugging merrily away without me. My initial reaction? Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

    But as I stood there, shoulders slumping, a strange calm washed over me. My carefully constructed schedule lay in ruins, and you know what? It was oddly… liberating. I was free, untied to the rigid timetable I’d imposed on myself. And that, my friends, is when the adventure began.

    Discovering Hidden Gems: A Bookstore and a Second Breakfast

    With time suddenly on my side, I noticed a charming bookstore nestled on a side street I’d always zipped past. Drawn in by the promise of literary treasures, I discovered a haven of overflowing shelves and the intoxicating scent of old paper. I spent a delightful hour browsing, stumbling upon a forgotten classic I’d been meaning to read for years.