The small moment that allows me to slow down when traveling.
If there is one universal experience in life, it is feeling the familiar dread of the airport. Even if you’re the most seasoned traveler and love to visit new places, travel is a lot. The long lines, chaos, crowds, and stress can get to even the best of us. However, despite that, I’ve found a secret ritual that I’ve come to love. And, it’s also my new favorite mindful travel tip to share. It has transformed the way I experience travel, and I hope it helps you, too.
Some people’s pre-flight rituals might involve checking that the gate exists before getting a snack or having a drink at the bar. Maybe it’s listening to a specific podcast or song once they’re on the plane. But mine is very simple. I walk into the shop closest to my gate, and I have one goal in mind. Sure, I’ll browse the magazines and maybe take a look at the salty snacks. I’ll even peruse the local shirts and souvenirs. But at the end of my wandering, there is always the same thing in my hand at checkout – a bag of peanut butter M&Ms.
While I love killing some time looking around the shop, it’s the sweet and salty treat that completes my airport ritual. Knowing that once I’m settled in my seat, a snack I rarely indulge in outside of travel experiences is waiting for me makes me feel ready for my flight. It allows me a chance to slow down and find joy in travel, no matter how many rude people I encounter.
This may sound silly, but this ritual holds meaning for me. I don’t like getting to the airport too early. So, I take advantage of PreCheck and CLEAR to keep my security experience as stress-free as possible. I time my arrival at the airport to give me just enough time to wander a shop for a few minutes and get my peanut butter M&Ms. It’s not about the airport itself, it’s that feeling of being in a place in between where I was and where I’m going. And it’s also about finding peace and joy in the ordinary. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate the journey itself, not just the destination. The fact that peanut butter M&Ms are delicious is a bonus!
Having a small airport ritual, even if it’s something as small as getting a bag of candy, shows that even in the most sterile or stressful environments, we can create meaningful moments for ourselves. This mindful travel tip is about romanticizing a moment that could be rushed or forgotten. And sometimes, it’s just about treating yourself!
What is your airport ritual?