Last year moved quickly. Between new adventures through Japan, Glacier National Park, and Vienna, we also experienced family loss, unexpected travel, and constant movement. It was a year of balancing togetherness with life’s unplanned turns.
This year has already had its share of surprises, including a couple of last-minute trips, one of which happened during a February blizzard. Although we’ve tried to keep things low-key, life has a way of interrupting those plans.
Now that we’re on the other side of it, we’re focusing on a simpler pace, opting for fewer, more deliberate trips and more time at home. We can’t control the unexpected, but we can make it feel more manageable.
When “More” Started to Feel Like Too Much
Brian and I took on a handful of new travel experiences last year, which was exciting but left us feeling stretched thin. We tried to space these trips out so that we could fully enjoy the planning process and have enough time between them to unwind and recharge before the next adventure.
Unfortunately, we found that researching and planning each destination was more involved than we expected. And though good experiences far outweighed the bad, we struggled with last-minute planning, reworking set travel plans to attend a family wedding, and navigating some difficult dynamics behind the scenes.
Pretty soon, things began to feel too heavy, despite our attempts to pace ourselves. We also dealt with a few other challenges, including:
- Nonstop planning and logistics, especially around flight delays
- The emotional weight of loss and strained dynamics.
- Back-to-back trips resulting from unexpected travel.
- Less time to slow down and process experiences.
- Hybrid work schedule considerations.
Even good things can become overwhelming when there’s not enough downtime. It became clear that we needed to rethink how we want to approach travel and time moving forward.
Why We Chose to Change Our Pace
For us, this has meant leaving extra room for flexibility without sacrificing our sense of adventure. More than anything, we’re trying to find a pace that doesn’t leave us drained when unexpected things pop up. The focus isn’t so much on preventing burnout or fast-paced schedules but on being particularly selective about the experiences we choose. Ultimately, we’re looking for an easier balance between life and travel.
Instead of deciding on the number of places we want to visit, we’re deciding on how we experience each one. Trips are part of the bigger picture. For example, our trip to Napa wasn’t just about wine country; it was about time with friends.
When we started to reconsider how we want to experience our trips and how we spend our time, we started paying attention to what was actually working for us:
- Trips that encouraged us to slow down (spacious units, pool and gym access, quiet locations)
- Experiences that blended place, purpose, and connection
- Using RCI, flight deals, and other booking strategies more intentionally, not constantly
- Exploring options closer to home
Brian and I don’t want to feel stretched thin, even when life throws a few curveballs our way. Some might say that it’s inevitable, but we’re aiming to find ways to minimize that feeling while still enjoying a few trips here and there. We’re still traveling, just at a different pace than before.
What Slowing Down Looks Like for Us
Brian and I are slowing down after last year. We’re not looking for complete stillness, but just enough so that our days aren’t constantly leading up to something else.
I’m spending more time writing from our balcony, something that used to be part of my routine but got lost in the busyness of last year. We’re also making time for small projects, watching over our new garden (as we try to improve our black thumbs), and exploring nearby hiking trails.
Our weekends aren’t quite as structured. Instead of packing our schedules or planning the next trip, we’re coasting through our free time. Some weekends are productive, others are restful, and both feel just as good.
It feels like we’re giving ourselves space to catch up on downtime that actually allows for some real rest. Slowing down has made everything else feel a little more balanced.
How We’re Traveling Now & Why It Feels Better
While we’re planning fewer trips, our experiences have been all the better for it. We’re not impulsively jumping on good deals or booking trips just to use points or credits. We still make use of them, of course, but in a way that’s more intentional and doesn’t lead to extra spending.
In place of that constant motion, there’s more direction. We’re tying our travel into our 52 Experiences list, using those ideas as a guide to slow down and choose destinations that fit what we’re already excited about.
Putting It Into Motion
This decision has changed what our trips actually look like:
- Specific Experiences:
We’re visiting destinations that support specific experiences, like hiking, exploring national parks, or venturing off to a starlit retreat. - Multi-Purpose Fun:
Visiting new places isn’t just for the sake of seeing new places. We’re visiting friends (and making new ones), spending time with family, or sharing experiences together. - Intentional Bookings:
We’re being more intentional with tools like RCI and other booking platforms, choosing trips that genuinely fit our interests and goals. Our upcoming stay in Moab is a great example, as it wasn’t just booked because of affordable availability but because it aligns with our goals of hiking and exploring more national parks. - Simpler Travel Plans:
Aside from one international trip planned later in the year, we’re focusing on more straightforward itineraries and driveable destinations. It keeps things a little more flexible and easier to adjust when necessary. - Selective Use of Perks:
We’re using rewards and credits that easily fit into our schedule, without forcing extra trips or spending. Perks like our Chase Sapphire Reserve Edit credits will be used for trips we’re already taking or driveable destinations, rather than as a way to justify extra travel or stretch our budget.
We’re planning trips around how we actually want to spend our time, even when life goes sideways. Balanced and flexible, with a side of adventure.
The experiences feel better because we’re not rushing through them. We’re not overextending ourselves to make them happen. We’re giving ourselves time to be present, to rest, and to actually enjoy the places we’ve chosen to go.
It’s a slower pace, but it fits us better. And when the unexpected happens, as it always does, it’s a lot easier to handle when everything else isn’t already at full speed.
