Another a new adventure

The lights turn on. The man opens his eyes abruptly.

Good evening everyone, we have now started our decent into San Francisco International airport. Flight attendants, please prepare the cabin.

The sudden shock of being awoken starts the mans mind again.

What a nice sleep. I wonder if it's too late to get a drink. Nope. Thank you first class! oh man, why am I going to this destination again? His thoughts begin to fill his mind again...

The man looks out at the beautiful glow of the bay skyline in the dark.... an amazing achievement of mankind. The man had finally found home among the clouds, but the man's life was yet again changing. Work was changing how they do business and the man's home was slowly changing to a darkened apartment away from the clouds.

When your home is in a immovable structure, continuing relationships around the world becomes increasingly tougher and the man knew this. This trip to San Francisco was not for business this time, it was to find an immovable home. A home that grounded him.

Flight attendants please take your seats

The man takes a deep breath. knowing change is emanate, he sets his mind on making a home on the ground.

8 Weeks later

"I need to get up into the air. It's been nearly 8 weeks!"

The man argues with his manager. Alas, his manager caves and gets him into the clouds again.

Like an old friend, the TSA agent greets the man at security. Like a pro, the man continues through security in a matter of minutes. The club lounge feels like a warm hug to the man. Everything he needs for the comfort of the road, healthy snacks, cushy seats, chargers, drinks, wifi, ticketing help, business rooms, and most importantly, peace and quiet.

While the man sits in peace waiting for his flight, there's a moment of hesitation. Normally the man finds fun things to do-- code, watch the news, text friends, watch movies, and most importantly figure out what fun things he'll due at his next destination. His mind was in disarray though, the infrastructure of blocks and barriers to normal life had been whittled away from the normality of an everyday immovable home. The man was lost, confused, and at a loss.

I need to get groceries when I get back. I still need to furnish my immovable home and get my address changed. License. Registration. Register to vote. I need to find a new place to bike. I wonder if there is a local group I can join?

What is this? The man has not felt these feelings in years. Heck, the man drove from his immovable home to work and back the other day. The last time the man did that was nearly 5 years ago. The mans struggle was getting worse.

The moment I stop flying I'm stuck. Who the heck has the money to fly and see family and friends whenever they want? My miles are nearly depleted, I'm flying less for work, settling into this new immovable home. I'm stuck. I cannot move. This is what it feels like to be in the same area. how do I get out. What if I need to leave? What if I don't know anyone here? Can I even afford to move again? What have I done? If I'm not traveling, my life stops. Breath.

The mans anxiety raises. What is happening to the mans life? He had worked so hard in the last few years to fight the loneliness, the superficial conversations, and the loss of "home". The man now lies in a paradox that he just fought so hard to get out of. The man smiles,

There's never a dull moment in this thing we call life.

The man closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, looks out into the world and begins to embrace the reality that life that given him.

I came. I saw. I travel.

Don't break rule #1

I have a very strict rule when traveling, it's called "The #1":

Don't go hang out in your room unless you are going to bed.

This rule keeps me sane. This rule allows me as a traveler to more/less "tolerate" my lifestyle. I absolutely love my job and my company, but the traveling part can be difficult at times if you cannot manage it. This rule allows me to manage that.. No matter how nice your hotel is, how many channels you have, free room service, or even high speed internet, DO NOT break rule #1.

Unfortunately, like all humans, I am not infallible and broke this rule my first night in Denver at the Hyatt this week. Let me tell you, depression set in, loneliness was my best friend, and I couldn't get motivated to do anything. Even when I finally made it down to the gym I couldn't get motivated to run more than 1 mile (I usually run 3+ miles).  To say the least the only thing I felt like I could do to take the pain away was go to sleep, but even that evaded me that night.

The lesson? Don't break rule #1

Traveling requires an extreme schedule. Lots of planning, but in the midst of that planning, there needs to be comfort. Relaxation. A sense of home. Most important, a sense of normalcy. Staying in your room can bring on the feeling of being trapped, loneliness, and depression. Don't travel because you have to, travel because you want to. In order to make that change you have to LIVE that "traveling" life. 

Staying in your room can bring on the feeling of being trapped, loneliness, and depression.

You're required to be on the clock for 8 hours when traveling (hopefully). The rest is up to you. If you decide you HAVE to be there and there isn't an escape, you will hate it. BUT if you embrace traveling, come up with a strict routine, enjoy the company of strangers, and "Don't go hang out in your room unless you are going to bed"; traveling will be enjoyable.

You are in a new place, if you have to be there, embrace it.

I came I saw, I travel.