Hello dearest Reader,
Hope you’re keeping well in your corners of the world. I’m sure life is treating you well and if once in a while it has been unkind or has not paid sufficient attention to your happiness then I suggest you read this letter of mine. I’m sure it will resonate with you.
I’m one of those women who enjoys travel, irrespective of the fact whether it’s for work or leisure. I think both of these have their own benefits and enrich in different ways. Work travel allows you to meet people, some you’ve known for years, but don’t get a chance to meet regularly and some you’ve probably met for the first time. It allows you to peek into local culture a bit more deeply as you always land up seeing the place through the eyes of your colleagues who resides there. Hence, the travel hiccups are a bit less. You enjoy the local cuisine referred to you and get the best bargains when you go shopping. Most of all you actually get to know your professional relationships in a tad more personal way. That might be good or bad depending on experiences. More often than not the folks who seemed distant, cold or at times ruthless in their critique turn out to be more human and warm. And that applies both to the people you work with and work for. And as you zip past cities amidst schedules of your frenzied meetings you learn, you watch and you enjoy.
I was lucky to attend a panel of C suit women leaders who shared their insights and their battles as they navigated careers. Their candid conversation was an eye opener. It’s strange how most of us women in the professional world have similar stories, who had familiar battles which were fought and who basically somehow managed to survive. It’s always about their choices, their grit and their never say die attitude.
Work trips are also about nostalgia, where faces change, clients change and newer people get introduced to life. And as I always believe, nothing lasts, it’s always better to enjoy the ride. But this story is not about dreamy work trips, it’s about a struggle of a woman who’s aging gracefully.
I’m at the cusp of that stage of my life, where I’m definitely not young but haven’t yet got the licence to be called old. This strange phase comes with changing body in addition to changing mindset. And the last seven days did tell me loud and clear, that a few things need to change and that definitely my dear readers is not my panache to travel.
Lessons learnt hard way, that your clothes need to be comfortable . Fancy clothes are a thing of past if you’re travelling. You get bruised by feminine contraptions which are required to get those beautiful things to cling to your body. It is horribly uncomfortable and not worth the effort. Length of dresses need to change. My legs definitely are no more a thing of beauty. The 40 something years has created a maze of veins like patchwork on them which by far is not something I would like to flaunt.
Most of these foreign places, need you to walk miles. Those black high heels which make you look classy in client meetings, sure will give you nightmares when you need to rush across the city. Carry spare flats in your bag. Lesson learnt from a senior woman colleague.
Try different local cuisines but don’t go overboard. A week is a long time. Client meetings during the day is often followed by late work hours glued to your computer when you’re back at the hotel. Food management is key to get through the grind.
The plushest of hotels with softest of beds, give you back aches. Ensure, you stretch yourself before and after a night of rest. Most important, manage your sleep. My body atleast drags my spirit down to the hell hole, if it doesn’t get it’s minimum requirement of sleep. These trips usually are hectic, so grab a nap, on the flight.
Last but not the least, carry your meds. They are your best friends. They will see you through, migraines, high pressure, work stress, sleeplessness or adventures with cuisines. Forgot to mention these will help with you bruises, cuts and sprains because of your benchmark shoes, long walks and dragging heavy luggage.
I rest my case. You evolve with age and so does your outlook towards work trips. And one thing we women really need to learn from the men of our world - how to pack light and manage their entire week with 2 basic business suit. Blue and Black. It’s an art, how their kind do it with elan. Guess women and their vanity does play the culprit here.
I’m now trudging back to my home base after a week. Professionally wise, but definitely battered and bruised. It’s not always a piece of cake. So do not go by the drool worthy social media posts. Some battles do take a pound of flesh.
I will see you soon, with some other stories, from my pocket. Till then take care, stay well and enjoy the ride.
Always yours,
Pocket full of life
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