Pouring into Yourself, Traveling Overseas with Toddlers, Seeing a Place Twice
A conversation on freelance work, recovery and travel for the summer.
Recently, I noticed something had changed about my friend of almost 15 years. Her baseline was off, but in a good way. Her typically calm and cynically inquisitive disposition had become strangely positive, and I needed to know what she was doing differently.
Like me, she is a bit of an overachiever and has been working too hard for too long, cruising way past the point of burnout. You know the type of exhaustion one vacation can’t fix? We talked about what she was doing: therapy, meditation, medication, and activities that require a lot of intentionality and dedication. But she also mentioned one easy but profound fix that I really hadn’t done enough of: pouring back into yourself regularly.
Jumping back into the reporting world, I realized how much a single story can take out of you. Many people don’t know this, but entire centers help journalists deal with the second-hand trauma they experience from their work. People who are really into the job, like me, often find themselves immersed in the topic, the lives of their subjects, and the responses from officials. They watch every move and shake on their beats. This immersion can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed that doesn’t end, even when the story is published. So the idea of taking a step back, a moment to pour back into yourself before going into the next thing, is not just healthier; it is necessary to avoid burnout.
And, of course, this isn’t just for journalists. American culture can be one of extraction, where people and work will constantly take from you if you let it. You have to set your own boundaries. You have to find the spaces where you can pour back into yourself. So, I’ve been on a mission to do that. I recently started to listen to a new meditation channel and podcasts that focus on healing and relationship building rather than just work. I’m also considering more fun things like home facials and possibly joining a class.
This may seem normal to some people, but for a recovering workaholic and a mother like myself, taking the time to pour back into yourself can almost seem revolutionary.
10 Tips For Vacationing Overseas With Small Children
As it is the summer season, one big way people pour back into themselves is by going on vacation. I used to be the boutique hotel or even hostel type (I’ve even couchsurfed) before I had kids. These days, I am a big resort fan.
For me, my kids are under five, and it’s not a vacation if I have to cook, clean, and entertain them the entire time. (Leave me at home if that is the plan.) When traveling with kids, here are 10 tips from me:
Look for hotels that include breakfast.
Ensure regular cleaning (since COVID, some hotels STILL haven’t resumed this service).
Look for Kids Clubs and/or nanny services.
Choose the most direct flight/route possible.
Don’t try to do too much in a day. It is better to see two things and enjoy your time than try to squeeze in all the sights and end up with a cranky toddler.
Always carry too many snacks.
Charge tablets and other screen pacifiers; sometimes, you just need to hand them a screen so you can enjoy that sizzling garlic shrimp in peace.
Resorts within the U.S. tend to be more expensive with less quality. My favorite hotels with my kids were in Greece and Spain. (Mexico is on my list, but I have not gone yet). I like places outside the main tourist areas, sometimes one to three hours away.
Don’t make assumptions about what your kids will and will not like. If you are traveling, it is a great time to try something new.
Bringing an extra adult who can help with the kids is worth the money if you have it.
I have found that most other countries are generally more tolerant and warm toward small children than the United States. I don’t know what that says about us, but parents should consider it an unexpected perk of being overseas.
Career Moves - Freelancing
Freelancing is a great activity to do between jobs. It is particularly useful for people who want to work for themselves without building a whole startup company. It can also be for people who want to make extra money or break into a new field outside of their day jobs.
With the way the gig economy is set up these days, you can pretty much freelance any skill you have. If you are like me, with a plethora of skill sets and interests, it can be a bit daunting deciding what to hone in on. But I do think it is important to focus on something, ideally the type of work you want to do full-time if that is not already your day job.
Freelancing has many benefits, though the obvious downside is that the work is inconsistent, and you need to be a self-starter and self-motivated to keep it up. You also don’t usually get the benefits that come with a fulltime salary.
Some of the benefits I have seen:
Freelancing gives you an opportunity to see inside different companies. You get a sneak peek at different personalities and processes that you normally need a full-time commitment to see.
It also gives people a chance to see your work style and ethic, which can be good in case you ever apply to work full-time with the company.
You get to set your own work schedule, so you can work hard or take your kids on a resort vacation whenever you want (if you have the money).
In getting started, I find it easier to freelance by reaching out to your network. Meet for a coffee, and let them know what you are offering. Your immediate network may not need your service, but they will be your best source for leads.
What I am Reading - Revisiting a Book
There are so many places to visit in the world; I often feel crazy when I visit a place twice. But on the occasions that I do, I try to check out a part of the country that is more off the typical tourist path. I find that the second visit is usually better than the first. By avoiding the tourist traps, I feel more like a local, like I’m discovering the country and culture in a deeper way.
I feel the same way with books. I RARELY revisit books that are not cookbooks. There are just too many books in the world and in my reading queue that I have not gotten to. But there are some that I have revisited. "Atomic Habits" is one, and I recently picked up "Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and Production" again.
Sure, I’m an experienced audio reporter. But I find, similar to the places I revisit, when I reread books like this, I can hone my craft and work on things I might have missed when I was steeped in the rush of reporting. Books like these give me a chance to reflect, think about skills I’ve mastered, and identify things I could do better. It is a little less overwhelming the second time around because I am not starting from scratch.
So maybe as you pour back into yourself this week, consider revisiting something—a book, a place, a course. Look for something you didn’t see or notice the first time. Take it in and be proud of yourself for making the time.
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