Travel? Hygge?

Can traveling be hygge? Can traveling with a seven month old baby be hygge? Well I did it…and here is what I have to say:

To begin with, traveling is much more convenient than you think. And it is ok to rely on those conveniences! Why bother bringing a whole pack of diapers? If you run out, make an adventure of going to the nearest local convenience store and there your problem is solved! And on top of it you were literally forced to go out on the town you happen to be visiting. And clothes.. as Courtney Carver says in her book “Project 333”  when packing for a trip take out all the clothes you think you need and pack half into your suitcase. Most people over pack and if you are the rare person to under pack- conveniently there are many laundry facilities available upon request and yes..a little more adventure. This goes for basically everything you think you need: food, toiletries, entertainment, etc. Unless you cannot afford a basic-need travel emergency (in which you most likely wouldn’t be traveling for pleasure) you really don’t need to worry about if you have brought everything. It is much more convenient to travel with less. 

Yes, traveling with a baby was difficult. I will not lie. However, I was able to see a very special and unique side of people, strangers whom I never met and that was worth it. Well, ok! My baby and destination was also worth it! 😀 I felt very surprised and happy that complete strangers were overjoyed to see or hold my baby. Generous people were willing to wait for me, hold my baby or watch him, and even a Captain of the plane waited to make sure I had my stroller off of the plane before he left the plane himself. What strikes me the most was how many different types of people loved interacting with a baby. Young and old, men and women, English Speaking and Non-English Speaking… it didn’t matter but those who stopped to acknowledge my baby had a moment of joy. And that was hygge. 

I could say much more on how to travel and be hygge, but in one word to be hygge while traveling is to ADVENTURE! You must take those moments of inconvenience, of discovery, of meeting complete strangers, and really enjoy them. If you don’t take time to enjoy them you risk turning travels into regret and stress. Take travel for what it is- an adventure waiting to happen and make your life a little more hygge as you go.

What are some of your favorite travel hygge hacks or moments?