How to Pass the Time While Traveling
Aside from cheap flights and a duffel bag full of cash, time is my love language. But there's never enough time,…so I have some tricks to help you make the most of it! One such trick is to use travel time as an opportunity for productivity. Many people find themselves stuck with a large window of unscheduled time and seemingly nothing to do while in transit. But, while most people step off of the plane feeling tired, I emerge energized and ready to explore! Here are some tips for getting things done on your trip:
Listen to a podcast - Catch up on all your podcasts whilst in transit to a new location. I have about 200 podcasts in my queue, so traveling is a great opportunity to listen to them all.
Listen to an audible book - Along those same lines, I’m also a fan of audiobooks. Think about how many hours you spend driving. Now, imagine spending the same number of hours reading? One of my tricks for consuming the most content possible is that I’ll listen to my audiobooks at 2-3x the speed! 🤓
Research your trip - When stuck in transport, I make good use of my time by doing thorough research on my destination. I might read a guidebook, adjust my plans, or learn something interesting about the culture. This hack saves me time on my vacation and I use it frequently.
Talk to a friend - We all lead busy lives, so being in transit is the ideal time to chat with a friend (if possible). I like to talk with friends I might have lost touch with when I'm driving because they help me stay awake behind the wheel. I get a dual benefit: I arrive at my destination in one piece and get to socialize.
Sleep! - I love sleeping the ride away because then I’m refreshed when I get to my destination and can fit in more activities. Every time there’s an opportunity to sleep, I’m on it! I especially enjoy sleeping on planes. I pass out before the plane even takes off which makes a lot of people jealous. Traveling is exhausting so doze off when you can.😴
Meditate - Meditating on a train or a plane is relaxing for me. However, I don't recommend doing this while driving. Meditating helps you handle life’s unexpected surprises because life is what happens when you’re making other plans! 🧘🏽♂️
Listen to music - There's always a new album or song to discover, so I’m constantly checking out new music on Spotify. Feel free to reply if you're also a fan of Discover Weekly!
Binge TV - I’ve been binge-watching shows before it became trendy, but I've always felt guilty about it. However, you can rid yourself of that guilt when you're in transit. Don’t forget to download all your episodes beforehand so you don't have to deal with any WiFi connectivity issues.
Journaling - Journaling is something I know I should do more of, but I never seem to find the time. Writing about your feelings when there's nothing to do can be a great way to pass the time. Additionally, journaling throughout a trip creates a written souvenir that you can reflect on when you’re back at home.
What do you typically do when you're in transit?