Sharing some of the strategies I’ve tried to incorporate into our daily lives after our trip.
Hi friends! How are you? How was your weekend? I hope it was great! We celebrated Nana’s Day, the pilot was home from his trip, I taught a Barre class, and met a friend for brunch. We also got some monsoon rain, which is always a treat.
For today’s post, I wanted to share a bit about our journey, my perspective since returning, and some of the strategies I’ve tried to keep up. As you know, we love to travel. I feel it’s the most fulfilling way to spend the money we earn—on experiences—and it gives us a chance to step away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy quality time as a family (or as a couple). Travel always gives me a fresh perspective and helps me remember what truly fuels my energy and joy… and what doesn’t.
When we were in Spain, we took the time to savor each day. I’ve been trying to hold onto some of the things I loved most about our trip (you know, aside from the epic monuments, culture, and food…) and put them into a small list. It’s not about living in a permanent “vacation mode,” but rather what the journey reminded me of what truly matters.
The Strategies I Want to Keep
1. Walk as Much as Possible
We walked miles every day without even trying, and the movement felt natural and refreshing—not forced. While it’s a bit more challenging here at home, I’m still trying to recreate it with post-dinner walks, walking during meetings, and taking Maisey out when the rain cools things down.
It’s funny because Tucson isn’t exactly a walking-friendly city. Everything is spread out, it’s blisteringly hot, and if you’re outside, most people assume your car broke down unless you’re in a neighborhood or on a sidewalk. It’s peak summer, so I’ve been using a little padding all day. In Spain, I easily hit 20k steps daily, but here, I have to be intentional to reach 10k.
2. Cook from Scratch (and Choose Places That Do the Same)
The food we ate felt nourishing and intentional, whether it was made at our Airbnb, by friends (our friend Tony makes epic carrilladas), or by chefs at cozy local spots. While I don’t think we need fantastic meals all the time, the quality and freshness of the ingredients made all the difference. Since being home, I’ve found that only a handful of restaurants feel worth it. I’d rather buy good ingredients and cook at home than pay $100–200 for an average meal for the four of us.
3. Keep Meals Simple
I also remembered that meals don’t need 18 ingredients or three sauces to be satisfying. A piece of grilled fish, some roasted vegetables, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon: perfection. Since our trip was on the longer side, I was able to cook at our Airbnb, but I also didn’t want to buy a ton of ingredients. Our meals were simple, fresh, and satisfying.
4. Stay Up Late and Sleep In (Seasonally)
It was magical to embrace summer nights: kids staying up late, spontaneous gelato runs, morning light streaming through the windows while still curled up in bed. It’s not a forever routine, but a fun reminder that sometimes bending the rules is okay. The school year is rigid and scheduled (as it needs to be), so it felt like a special treat to stay up until midnight or 1:00 most nights and sleep in until around 9:30.
5. Slow Meals with Good Company
Recreate those two-hour meals, whether it’s dinner on the terrace with friends or just the four of us at the dining table. I loved how meals weren’t rushed, allowing us to fully enjoy the food and the company. It also helped me tune into hunger cues more, so I ended up eating less. I’m trying to slow down in all aspects of life.
6. Prioritize New Adventures with the Kids
Even at home: new parks, new recipes, little day trips, or just letting them help me plan something “new.” Travel always reminds me of how magical the world looks through their eyes. And as they say, they grow up so fast. The things they used to enjoy aren’t as exciting anymore, so it’s been fun to explore what they’re into now and have new adventures together.
7. If You Take a Break… Nothing Falls Apart
This is a big one. As mothers, we carry a huge mental and emotional load. We’re the ones who mysteriously know where the socks are, what ingredients we need for dinner, who has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and what’s due for work or school. It was refreshing to take a step back… and realize that nothing fell apart. The blog, the mail, the housework—everything waited until we got back, and it was fine.
When both girls were little, I was still blogging three times a day and couldn’t imagine taking more than a short weekend off. Eventually, I took six weeks off for the first time, and nothing broke. I wrote content in advance and took client calls and emails while we were gone. It was a huge gift and gave me fresh inspiration and energy when we returned. While I don’t think I’ll take six weeks off again anytime soon, lol, it’s a good reminder that you can step back a little, and things will be okay.
8. Make Time for Art, Music, and Culture
Whether it’s visiting a museum, listening to live music, or playing a symphony on Spotify during dinner, it enriches everyday life. You don’t have to be in another country to bring beauty into your day. I’m trying to be intentional about booking theater tickets, enjoying outdoor music, visiting museums, and incorporating small pieces of culture and joy into our lives.
9. Build Community
One of the most beautiful things about Spain was the sense of community. Our friends there go to an international school in Seville, and parents often gather. They’re constantly enjoying drinks or tapas while the kids play, planning meals, day trips, and playdates. We’re lucky to have an incredible community here in Tucson, so it was a good reminder to continue nurturing the relationships that matter most to us.
10. Dress for the Day
Europeans have a way of showing up for the day with intention. While leggings have their place (I’ll never fully abandon them, lol), dressing up feels good. I definitely feel more focused and productive when I’m in *real* clothes instead of sweats and a hoodie.
So, tell me, friends: Has a trip ever changed your perspective on everyday life? How are you trying to slow down in your routine?
xo
Gina
More:
Barcelona Adventure
Sevilla Adventures
Disney Fantasy Cruise: Spain, Italy, and France
Tips for Visiting Seville
