The last time I was on an airplane it was March 1, 2020. I never would have imagined it would be my last for 6 whole months. I boarded my first flight today and let me tell you, it’s been amazing!! There’s just something special about the feeing you get when you leave home on an adventure, no matter how great or small or for work or play. And stepping off into a new place with (usually) different weather, different styles of food, different vibe, and different terrain just kind of resets my soul. It brings me back to sense of center in some weird way. You would think it would be the reverse and I’d get that feeling when I arrive back home, but it’s the departing into a new place that gets me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and home and I wouldn’t change that for the world, but my well being needs more. I need change and exploration and experiencing new things. These past 6 months have been a roller coaster of emotions and I’m sure it has been for everyone. For work travel alone, I was gone 103 days in 2019 and then several days here and there for personal/family trips. Travel isn’t always to exciting new places, but even while working I try to experience new things to fully take in each city. Putting all of that time traveling on an abrupt standstill has been hard, like real hard folks. I feel like I’ve been robbed of the past 6 months of my life. I’d like to think that I always find the silver lining in situations, but I know that’s not true. I’ve been pretty bitter about all the things we had to miss out on and cancel. There are so many to list and complain about, but I think I’ve done enough wallowing in it already. So on to the happy parts... I’m on a plane and it’s so awesome! Airports and flights for the most part have been pretty much the same as before with people simply wearing masks and walking a little further away from one another. It’s pretty nice being given a sani wipe and snacks when you step on the plane and this is one thing I hope will continue post-pandemic era. And rates for flights are pretty nice too and I definitely hope that continues as well. So now that I’ve started to add back in personal travel, I’m hoping work travel follows right behind and that I can get a few more trips in before 2020 comes to an end. Now it’s off to enjoy my adventure!
Lex