{"id":130659,"date":"2025-07-21T10:26:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=130659"},"modified":"2025-07-28T11:00:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T11:00:15","slug":"strategies-i-want-to-keep-after-our-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/strategies-i-want-to-keep-after-our-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"strategies I want to keep after our trip"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Sharing some of the strategies I\u2019ve tried to keep in our lives after our trip.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Hi friends! How are you? How was the weekend? I hope that you had a great one! We celebrated my nana\u2019s bday, the Pilot was home from a trip, I taught a barre class, and met up with a friend for brunch. We also got some monsoon rain, which is always a little treat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For today\u2019s post, I wanted to chat a bit about our trip, my perspective since we\u2019ve been back, and some of the strategies I\u2019ve tried to maintain.<\/strong> As you guys know, we LOVE to travel. I feel like it\u2019s the most fufilling way for us to spend the money we\u2019ve earned &#8211; on experiences &#8211; and it gives us a chance to be away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy time as a family (or as a couple). <strong>Travel always gives me perspective and helps me to remember what actually fuels my energy and joy\u2026 and what doesn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/?attachment_id=205038\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-205038 follow noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-205038\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/strategies-i-want-to-keep-683x1024-1.jpg\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While we were in Spain, we were able to take our time and genuinely enjoy each day. I\u2019ve really tried to keep some of the things that I loved so much about our trip (you know, besides the epic sights, culture and food\u2026) and put them into a little list. It\u2019s not really about \u201cvacation mode\u201d forever, but rather what the trip reminded me matters most.<\/p>\n<h2>strategies I want to keep after our trip<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Walk as Much as Possible<\/h3>\n<p>We walked miles daily, not even trying, and movement felt natural and refreshing &#8211; not forced. While it\u2019s a little more challenging here, I\u2019m still trying to recreate this a bit at home with walks after dinner, walking during meetings, and walking Maisey when the rain has cooled things down a bit.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s funny because Tucson is NOT a walking-friendly city. Everything is far, it\u2019s a million degrees, and if you\u2019re outside walking, most people will assume your car broke down, unless you\u2019re in a neighborhood or walking path. It\u2019s definitely the peak of summer, so I\u2019ve been using my lil walking pad throughout the day. In Spain, I\u2019d EASILY hit 20k steps per day, and I have to be intentional to hit 10k here.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/things-to-do-in-sevilla-with-kids\/cathedral-view\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-166299 follow noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-166299\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cathedral-view-768x1024-1.jpg\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>2. Cook From Scratch (and Choose Places That Do the Same)<\/h3>\n<p>They food we ate felt nourishing and intentional, whether it was made at the Airbnb, by friends (our friend Tony makes an EPIC carrillada) or by a chef at a cozy local spot. While I don\u2019t think we need to have fancy meals all the time, the quality and freshness of ingredients speaks volumes. I\u2019ve found that since we\u2019ve been home, there are only a handful of restaurants here that feel worth the cost to me. I\u2019d rather buy good ingredients and cook at home, instead of pay 100-200 for a mediocre meal for the four of us.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Keep Meals Simple<\/h3>\n<p>I also remembered that meals didn\u2019t need 18 ingredients or 3 sauces to be satisfying. A piece of grilled fish, some roasted veggies, a drizzle of olive oil and lemon: perfection. Since our trip was on the longer side, I was able to cook in the Airbnb but also didn\u2019t want to buy a ton of ingredients and components. Our meals were so simple, fresh, and satisfying.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/sevilla-adventures\/mokambo\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-201241 follow noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-201241\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/mokambo-768x1024-1.jpg\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>4. Stay Up Late and Sleep In (Seasonally)<\/h3>\n<p>It was truly magical to embrace summer nights: kids up late, spontaneous gelato runs, morning light peeking through the windows while you\u2019re still curled up in bed. It\u2019s not a forever routine, but a fun reminder to bend the rules sometimes. The school year is very rigid and scheduled (it has to be), so it felt like an epic treat to stay up until midnight or 1am most nights and start the day around 9:30.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Slow Meals With Good Company<\/h3>\n<p>Recreate the 2-hour meals, whether it\u2019s dinner on the patio with friends, or just the four of us at the dining room table. I loved that meals aren\u2019t rushed, which enables you to enjoy the food and company so much more. I find that you\u2019re more in tuned with hunger cues so you actually eat less. I\u2019ve been trying to slow down a little with all aspects of life.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Prioritize New Adventures With the Girls<\/h3>\n<p>Even at home: new parks, new recipes, little day trips, or just letting them help me plan something \u201cnew.\u201d Travel always reminds me how magical it is to see the world through their eyes. Also, what they say is true: they grow up SO quickly. Things they used to enjoy aren\u2019t as exciting anymore, so it\u2019s been fun to explore what they\u2019re into and have some new adventures together.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/disney-fantasy-spain-italy-and-france-recap\/w-my-loves-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-195256 follow noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-195256\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/w-my-loves-1024x768-1.jpg\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>7. If You Take a Break\u2026 Nothing Falls Apart<\/h3>\n<p>This one\u2019s big. Together, we\u2019re all carrying a huge mental and emotional load, especially as moms. We\u2019re the ones who remember who mysteriously ran out of socks, the ingredients we need to pick up for dinner, order a gift for the birthday party this weekend, one kid has a dentist appointment tomorrow, along with work deadlines and chores. It was refreshing to just take a step back\u2026 and nothing broke. The blog, the inbox, the chores; they were all waiting when we returned, and it was ok.<\/p>\n<p>When both girls were babies, I was still blogging three times a day and couldn\u2019t imagine taking off for more than a short weekend. I ended up taking about six weeks off work, for the first time ever, and nothing broke.<\/p>\n<p>I pre-wrote my content in advance and only took client calls and emails while we were away. It was a huge gift, and it gave me new inpiration and energy to get back into things the second we were back. While I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll take six weeks off again anytime soon lol it\u2019s a good reminder that you CAN step away for a bit and things will be ok.<\/p>\n<h3>8. Make Time for Art, Music, and Culture<\/h3>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s a museum, live music, or listening to a symphony on Spotify while making dinner, it adds richness to everyday life. You don\u2019t have to be in another country to bring beauty into your day. I\u2019m trying to make an effort to book theatre tickets, enjoy outdoor music, visit museum, and bring little bits of culture and joy into our lives.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/7-5-friday-faves\/live-flamenco\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-166168 follow noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-166168\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/live-flamenco-1024x834-1.jpg\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>9. Nurture Community<\/h3>\n<p>One of the most beautiful things about Spain is the community environment. Our friends go to an international school in Sevilla, and the parents get together frequently. They\u2019re constantly enjoying a drink or tapas together while the kids go off and play, and planning meals, day trips, and playdates. We\u2019re fortunate to have an incredible community here in Tucson, so it was a good reminder to continue to nurture the relationships that are important to us.<\/p>\n<h3>10. Get Dressed for the Day<\/h3>\n<p>Europeans have a way of showing up for the day with care. While, leggings totally have their place (I\u2019ll never quit them fully lol), getting dressed feels good. I definitely feel more focused and productive when I\u2019m in *real* clothes instead of sweats and a hoodie. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/?attachment_id=205041\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-205041 follow noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-205041\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dress-and-flats-768x1024-1.jpg\" data-fslightbox=\"gallery1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So, tell me friends: has a trip changed your perspective on everyday life? How do you try to slow down in your routine?<\/p>\n<p>xo<\/p>\n<p>Gina<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>More:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/barcelona-adventures\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow noopener noreferrer\">Barcelona Adventures<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/sevilla-adventures\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow noopener noreferrer\">Sevilla Adventures<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/disney-fantasy-spain-italy-and-france-recap\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow noopener noreferrer\">Disney Fantasy Cruise Spain, Italy and France<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/tips-for-traveling-to-sevilla-spain\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"follow noopener noreferrer\">Tips for visiting Sevilla\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\/strategies-i-want-to-keep-after-our-trip\/\">strategies I want to keep after our trip<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/fitnessista.com\">The Fitnessista<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sharing some of the strategies I\u2019ve tried to keep in our lives after our trip. Hi friends! How are you? How was the weekend? I hope that you had a great one! We celebrated my nana\u2019s bday, the Pilot was home from a trip, I taught a barre class, and met up with a friend\u2026<br \/>\nThe post strategies I want to keep after our trip appeared first on The Fitnessista.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":130661,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[20,1,21,22,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130659"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=130659"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130659\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":130664,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130659\/revisions\/130664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/130661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=130659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=130659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=130659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}