This has been quite the week. If you’ll allow me to indulge you in my woo-woo: I had a very positive gut feeling closing out the weekend, and I went to bed clearly thinking, “I’m asking for all good things to appear in my life this week. Why not me?”
By Monday morning, my friends and I made it onto the local news for our viral Halloween costumes. By midday, I was unexpectedly presented an award at work during an all-hands meeting. That evening, an interesting opportunity appeared from the conference I was at a few weeks ago. Speaking good news into existence helps.
So why not you, too?
In the spirit of luck—and my upcoming trip next week—I’m hosting a giveaway for paid subscribers. I shared earlier that my 2026 resolution was to push myself out of my comfort zone more, so when the chance to camp in northern Georgia popped up in my inbox, I figured this was the time to nudge myself. (I haven’t gone camping since I was a pre-teen as a Girl Scout. I like indoor plumbing, what can I say? I’ll still have a toilet and a sink, luckily, so I’m gently easing into the experience.)
To celebrate, I’ve teamed up with Rumpl, best known for its outdoor blankets and gear, which is generously giving away a Fleece Puffy Blanket to one lucky winner. It’s the best indoor and outdoor blanket: comfortable, consciously made, and weather-resistant. Keep this in your car for road trips and picnics (or to gift to an outdoorsy friend this holiday season). Paid subscribers will automatically be entered, and I’ll announce the winner in next week’s edition. Maybe you, too, can manifest a win into existence.
I surveyed my Instagram community recently on the topic they most wanted to see, and this week’s theme won by a landslide. I hope you find it helpful—and if you do, please consider “liking” this post. It helps with the Substack algorithm.
In the United States, employers aren’t federally mandated to provide paid time off. (I won’t get on my soapbox for too long here, but there’s definitely a correlation between a lack of paid time off, American hustle culture, and the prevalence of burnout, and we’d be better off following Europe’s lead when it comes to vacation time. Alas.) My husband and I have both worked at companies that only provided 10 paid days off for the year, so every single one felt precious—like there had to be a very special reason to use them.
So if you’re too limited on PTO to travel, how can you squeeze every minute out of a long weekend? Is there a way to make a three-day trip feel twice as long?
Luckily, I’ve come to realize it’s not really about how much time you take away, but how you use it. In times of grief or overwhelm—like when our pet died—even a weekend away was the reprieve I needed. It’s because our brains slow down when we’re experiencing novelty, while time speeds up when you’re in a more predictable pattern (like your regular routine when you’re on autopilot).
Whether you have lots of time you want to capitalize on, like folks who plan trips on specific holidays to maximize their OOO days, or a reader with very limited PTO, here are my suggestions for making the most of a short trip—and they might not be what most outlets would say.
Rule #1: No long-distance flights, car rides, or multiple pit stops
I know you’re very surprised to see this on a publication focused on slower travel, but the key is to…take it slow. The obvious goal is to reach a place that feels new and refreshing, without running out your clock.
Aim for a destination within the radius of either a two-hour flight or three-hour car or train ride, and don’t forget to account for traffic, checking in at an airport, gas station stops, or bathroom breaks; they add up quickly. A one-hour flight taking off at 9 a.m. seems enticing…until you remember you’ll need to leave at 6:30 a.m. to make it on time. Once you touch down, it could take an hour to get to your destination, and then you may require a nap for a boost of energy.
If you can leave the evening before your day off, even better. If this is possible, try to “mark” the arrival with a special moment so it feels like your vacation has really started, like ordering room service or going for a post-dinner walk around a local neighborhood.
Have the gift of more PTO? Take an extra day off and sleep in on Day 1, before heading out for your destination, especially if you know a few extra hours will help you feel rejuvenated.
Rule #2: Doing one thing (or nothing) is better for you
If you’ve ever been on a marathon trip—waking up at 6 a.m., grabbing breakfast at 7 a.m., seeing a museum at 8 a.m., and so on—you know that you might feel like you saw and did a lot, but you don’t really feel rested or like you savored every moment.
If you want three days to feel like a week, you should invest in just one activity or anchor a day and take your time for the remainder. This may seem incompatible with experiencing a place, I’m sure, but remember that 1) the majority of destinations will be there to return to again, and 2) there are “vacations” designed for relaxation and “travel” meant for adventures.
If you’re aiming for the former, it’s okay to plan just one thing a day and leave space around it. You want structure and some level of research so you’re not completely winging it or, worse, wasting time—but you should build in downtime. (You could even write a “skip list” of what you won’t see on this trip, giving yourself explicit permission to pass on it for now.)
One slow morning filled with journaling, people-watching, or sipping your favorite drink can reset your nervous system. (And if you have children, doing this together can help build better morning habits overall!)
Rule #3: Go phone-free…at least for a little while
Do you ever leave your phone elsewhere for a little while and immediately get bored because you don’t have anything to scroll through or read? (Just me?)
This works to your advantage if you’re trying to slow down time.
Leave your phone at your hotel and walk to a nearby cafe (also an easy way to become a “regular,” even for two or three days). Sit and read for an hour. Bring a film camera with you and snap shots around your destination. Create a game with your family to notice things around you that require you to be present and off your devices. I promise your time will feel much longer.
Rule #4: Aim for variety
It’s common to go on a trip that flew by in the moment and later remember it as a longer, richer experience. That’s what psychologist Claudia Hammond dubbed the “holiday paradox.” (My psychology degree is really coming in handy this week.)
The key is to make each day distinct. For example, maybe one day is meant for the outdoors—a morning hike and leisurely picnic—and then the next is about culture and food with a cooking class. You still rely on one anchor a day, but those differentiated experiences help each one stand out. The spice of life, as they say.
We usually have little control over our PTO policies, but hopefully we can make the most of the out-of-office time we do have. If you have any hacks or tips you use for your own time away, I’m sure we’d all benefit from hearing them. ♥️
🤕 I’ve been having more sinus pain this year. For months, I was debating this “depuffing wand” that claims to help with sinuses, puffiness, and migraines. It’s silly I didn’t get it earlier, because now that I have it, it’s completely changed my life. The wand is well worth the price if you want to drain your sinuses, awaken tired eyes, calm angry skin (like threading your eyebrows, ask me how I know), and apply serums or skincare treatments. Plus, it’s small enough to bring with me everywhere.
💰 I shared this in the Departure chat earlier this week, but Rakuten’s sharing its “Holiday Big Deals,” and some of the offers are pretty good. If you sign up here and spend $50 with the Rakuten plug-in, you’ll also get $50 in cash back or 5,000 points. (To date, I’ve earned 223,000 points by using Rakuten.)
🦁 Much Better Adventures launched its Wildlife Collection featuring select trips, like tracking snow leopards in the Indian Himalayas, following wolves in Sweden, and a safari in Borneo. Nothing I love more than a safari, so I will be adding these to my list.
🛄 JetBlue quietly raised bag fees for the third time in a year—as much as $70 for a first bag for economy. Yikes. Another reason I’m Team Carry-On. (CNBC)
🥰 Art bringing together community spaces, produce, and bursts of color.
See you next week! —Henah x
