the first 24 hrs in a new city
a little guide on how to adjust better and faster so you can start experiencing when you travel
Long travel days, ending up at your hotel or hostel as nothing more than a pile of exhaustion. Jet-lag hasn’t even set in yet - just running on autopilot and airplane snacks.
If you’re like me, and you can’t sleep on plane rides (even if they’re 14 hours long) - you know the dread of a long travel day. I’ve decided to roll with the punches and accept the sleep depravation. But what I have learned over the countless hours in airports and waiting for the trains. or ubers. or the 14 euro Flixbus, is how to take stock of my surroundings and quickly adapt (so I’m not spending days in complete travel shock).
Today Im sharing you my exact mindset and steps I take to ensure all my trips are off to a phenomenal start (even if the journey was bumpy beyond belief).
1. Take care of your body first and foremost
When you arrive to your accommodation, check-in, then allow yourself to succumb to the desires of the animal. Whether thats taking a long shower, ordering delivery (resource hub coming soon with all my fav travel apps), or sleeping for 9 hours. Many people may tell you to stay awake to fight the jet lag - but you need to be well-rested if you want to enjoy any of your trip (and not get sick!). I advise clients to plan for a whole day extra in their trip without planned activities so they can reset in a new timezone.
2. Dive into your arrival research
You should definitely research aspects about your destination in the planning process before departure:
I teach you my exact planning procedure in the Ultimate Atlas - your map to planning and experiencing transformational travel. [Coming soon!]
But in addition, once you have taken care of the body, now its time to ease the mind on where the hell you just ended up. Google maps is my best companion, discover your surroundings. Mentally note the distance to the nearest public transit (if you haven’t used it yet), places to eat, and drug stores. That way if you ever have a moment of panic while you’re exploring - you already know some safety zones.
Tip: I like to look up where the luxury stores are (if any) and mark them on the map - because I know that likely, that will be a safe area if I feel unsafe in where I am staying. Check out my guide on safety on Substack!
One last thing you should research - how to say the top 5 phrases in the local language, and any local customs to heed. Fitting in is survival when you’re solo!
Some more articles on these topics:
3. Go on a wander walk
Instead of jumping into your list of sightseeing and activities - I always suggest to schedule in a little neighbourhood walk. Just like you did on your phone, discover your universe for the week (or however long you decide to stay) on a short wander. No destination in mind, just walk (without music!) until something inspires you or piques your interest. Likely, there will be much to take in. Use your newly learned phrases in a local shop to get accustomed to the cultural norms and ways to interact.
4. Check in with your loved ones, but don’t fall victim to doomscrolling
Call your mom, send a photo to your best friend, but whatever you do - don’t try to escape feelings of fear or anxiety with hours of social media. You’re on this journey for experience, and the challenges and discomfort is all a normal part of it. It’s what will catapult your inner growth and make you extremely confident. Seriously, now that I have navigated being solo in a foreign country - everything else in life is a piece of cake.
5. Make a mini-routine
Routine is safety for the subconscious, so to ease the adjustment of complete newness - find some comfort in a bit of routine. My absolute favorite thing to do is find a coffee shop or cafe walking distance from my hotel to have breakfast, journal, and plan out the day. The best thing is, the more you return, the more likely you are to make friends with the staff or the locals!
Now you’ll be ready to allow the journey to mold you and bring you all it’s meant to - bringing friendship, a new worldview, even love.
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