| this newsletter is a long one—click here to read the full issue, in case it gets cut off. I have my road warrior days to thank for this career as an author and speaker. My blogger origin story was the same as most of my peers in the early 2010s--a creative outlet to offset my technical job, and one I could do solely on my laptop. What started as a lifestyle blog in 2009 quickly pivoted to a packing and travel one (after one of my first packing posts went viral on Pinterest). I used my weeks on the road as material for my blog, and to fill the empty hours between meetings and flights to write those posts. I’ve been living those HItha on the Go days for the past two weeks, with back-to-back work trips. I spent two days in Frankfurt in meetings with our key stakeholders and vendors. I just returned home from two city trip—DC to speak at The Gathering, New Orleans for our team offsite and annual meeting with our clinical advisors. It felt great to be on the road again, and it feels even better to be home and settling back into my routine. As promised, here’s how I prepare and pack, make the most of my time en route and in my meetings, and reset when I get home. I always make a packing list, usually a few days before I start packing. I have a template in my Notes app that I copy and paste for a new trip, and I’ll add the weather forecast at the top so I can pick my outfits accordingly.
I’m big on re-wearing items. I try to wear each piece twice (if not more), refreshing them with this spray and my steamer. I have a photo album in my phone full of mirror selfies of outfits I feel great in, and will swipe through them before picking the outfits I plan to pack (I hold down the image to copy it, and paste it directly in the packing list note). Most of my work clothes are from MM.LaFleur, and many of them are made from wrinkle-resistant fabric (that’s machine washable) and are so comfortable. Use code hitha15 for 15% off your MM.LaFleur order! I’ve become even more streamlined with my accessories. I almost always wear my Atoms (I do my workouts in them), and pack a pair of shoes for my work outfits (currently loving these MM.LaFleur boots). My go-to personal item is this Naghedi tote in cashmere (it goes with everything and fits everything I need), and I’ll bring a crossbody (this one or this one) for when I don’t need the big one. I wear my daily jewelry, and maybe pack an extra pair of earrings if I remember to. I get a blowout from Glamsquad the day before or the day I leave, so I can get by without having to wash my hair when I’m away. I also avoid super sweaty workouts (to help maximize my time between washes). Use code hitha for $25 off your first appointment, or hitha15 for $15 off your next appointment. I have exactly one makeup look, and it thankfully fits in a tiny makeup bag. It usually sits on my bathroom vanity, so I just grab it and toss it into my suitcase. I keep my toiletries pre-packed in this bag, and restock it when I return home and unpack. I buy my toiletries in travel sizes instead of decanting them (mostly out of laziness, but also because they can degrade your active products). I’ll refill the products that I can (like this cleansing balm and these exfoliating pads) with my larger products at home. Some toiletries I always pack are these disposable washcloths (they gently get all my cleansing balm off, and I don’t have to bug the hotel for extra washcloths), this lotion stick (what do European hotels have against body lotion?), and these disposable toothbrushes (they’re great for red-eyes or to refresh between lunch and a meeting).
If possible, I’ll book the same seat on my flights there and back. It’s one of my little quirks (I’m a window girl, through and through) I get my best writing done on an airplane, so I will always pack all of my writing supplies (laptop, notebooks for my daily planning and journaling, and a mini legal pad to scribble down notes in a meeting or when I have ideas). I can’t tell you the last time I watched a new movie on a flight. I stick with Crazy Rich Asians, Top Gun: Maverick, and the Mamma Mia! movies. I love a ginger ale on the flight, and pack a bag of Sour Patch Kids (apparently they help with anxiety, and I love a sour treat). This neck pillow and sleep mask help me get decent sleep on a flight (I play the same ocean waves track on a loop). I rest on my outbound flight and try to get as much work done on my return flight. It’s counterintuitive, but it works for me. I want to be well rested when I land and hit the ground running, and i know that my body is going to completely let go when I get home.
I do a minimal version of my morning and evening routines when I’m away from home: Morning: a 5 minute meditation, two pages of journaling, planning, and heading out of the hotel for a quick walk and coffee. Evening: grab a to-go cup of hot water from the hotel bar, make my AGZ and sip it while listening to calming music, fully get ready for bed, and read until the AGZ kicks in and I fall asleep. I use the eye mask I mentioned earlier to help me sleep.
I try to start my day with as much fiber and protein as I can. I’ll usually order oatmeal, a bowl of berries, and a mix of hard boiled eggs and chicken apple sausage for breakfast. I don’t call or FaceTime the kids when I’m away on a short trip. For our family, it disrupts the new flow they’ve established while I’m away. I send two quick videos (one for the morning, one for the evening), and they send me one back.
I used to be a terrible unpacker, but now I do it immediately when I get home. Dirty clothes go straight into the hamper, toiletries get refilled/restocked, my travel essentials (slippers, umbrella, steamer, travel adapters) go into my travel drawer. I take an everything shower when I get home, and wash my makeup brushes while I’m in the shower. I order the same Japanese meal for my first one back: miso soup, seaweed salad, agedashi tofu, and two rolls (1 cucumber, 1 avocado). I try to drink 3 giant tumblers of water my first day back. I add lemon (for taste, not for any supposed health benefits).
What are your travel quirks/rituals/tips? Share them below. Leave a comment Catch up on the latest:
a big thanks to MM.LaFleur for dressing me for these trips! Check out their Substack, The M Dash by M.M.LaFleur. Frankfurt, 2 days. I flew in Tuesday morning and went straight into meetings that day and the next, and flew home on Thursday morning. Not shown: Lands End lightweight puffer (kept me warm for the brief moments I was outside). Washington, DC (for The Gathering) and New Orleans (for our team offsite and clinical advisory board meeting). Travel day: MM.LaFleur jardigan and pants, ABLE t-shirt, Atoms sneakers, Naghedi bag, Beis suitcase Speaking at The Gathering: MM.LaFleur top, pants, blazer, and heels. Naghedi bag. Clinical advisory board meeting: MM.LaFleur top, pants, jardigan, and heels. Naghedi bag.
If you enjoyed this weekend’s letter, please consider: Wishing you a wonderful week. xo,
HPN | |
