Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: sustainable 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!


  • The Unexpected Life Lesson I Learned from a Lost Luggage Mishap

    The Unexpected Life Lesson I Learned from a Lost Luggage Mishap

    The Unexpected Life Lesson I Learned from a Lost Luggage Mishap

    The Great Underwear Crisis of 2023

    We’ve all been there, right? Standing at the baggage carousel, watching the same sad, orphaned suitcases go round and round, a sinking feeling growing in your gut. This, my friends, is the tale of how my missing luggage taught me a surprisingly profound life lesson.

    It all started with a much-needed vacation to the sunny beaches of [Destination]. Picture this: me, a carefully curated capsule wardrobe packed to perfection, and dreams of sipping cocktails with sand between my toes. Fast forward ten agonizing minutes at baggage claim, and my picture-perfect vacation started to resemble a scene from a low-budget disaster movie.

    Panic set in. Not just the “did I pack my toothbrush?” kind of panic, but a full-blown, DEFCON 1, “I’m going to have to wear the same pair of underwear for a week” kind of panic.

    Embracing the Art of “Making Do”

    Now, I’m not going to lie, the first 24 hours were rough. My carefully planned outfits were replaced with questionable tourist-trap t-shirts and shorts that could generously be described as “breezy.”

    But then, something strange happened. I started to relax. Without my usual wardrobe crutch, I was forced to get creative. I embraced the local style, rocking flowy dresses and colorful accessories I never would have dared to try back home. I even learned to tie a sarong in about a dozen different ways (a skill I’m strangely proud of).

    Turns out, being stripped of my creature comforts forced me to adapt, to be resourceful, and to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Who knew that a mismatched outfit and a healthy dose of self-deprecation could be so liberating?

    The Beauty of Letting Go

    By the time my suitcase finally arrived, three days late and smelling suspiciously of duty-free cologne, I was surprised to find that I didn’t really care anymore. In fact, I kind of missed my makeshift wardrobe and the “go with the flow” attitude it inspired.

    That’s when it hit me: sometimes, the things we think we need are really just things we cling to for comfort. This whole luggage fiasco wasn’t just about a lost suitcase; it was a crash course in letting go of control, embracing the unknown, and realizing that sometimes, the most unexpected detours can lead to the most beautiful destinations.

    What About You?

    So, tell me, what’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a travel mishap?

  • 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.