Travel Hacks from the Captain - Packing Cubes

"Just in case is the curse of packing". Alexandra Potter

Packing a bag has become an art form to me.  I am constantly refining what and how I organize my suitcase for long trips.  As a airline captain flying long haul cargo, our schedules have us out 16 days straight.  Yes....we leave and return home over two weeks later.

    Yes....it takes getting used to.

    Yes....my family actually prefers it since when I am home, I am really home.

    Yes...my bags are HEAVY!

Back to packing....let's chat about my favorite packing tool, packing cubes.  I was introduced to these gems years ago but didn't fully appreciate them until the last couple of years.  

What are they?  Different sized, usually fabric bags that all you to control clutter.  You might be thinking, it's just a suitcase but think of how you can throw all your undergarments in a small bag, a couple outfits in the big one and then add your toiletry bag.  You arrive at your destination and need PJ's, instead of tearing through the whole bag, you grab the small cube and viola!  

Here is the real big thing for me...the compression you can do with your clothing.  I cannot travel with a vacuum sealer so compression is the way to go.  I can get an extra outfit or take a cardigan with me where it might not have fit.  This allows me to have another option on a layover that I might not have had before.  Let me tell you, after seeing the same outfits for 16 days, you are ready for some change.  

Below is is picture of a typical set up minus my toiletry bag that I drag all over the world.  My bag is by Strong Bags...a 23 inch crew bag.  It's great for flight crew but for the average traveler, opt for something lighter.  We just need indestructible bags for frequent use.  

You will see I always travel with a doTERRA diffuser....hotel rooms need a good refresh to feel like home.  

Do you love packing cubes or is this something new for you?

Influence. Success. Do the small steps really count?

Influence.  As I have traveled across the country, teaching classes to introduce essential oils or on how to launch your doTERRA business, that question of influence always creeps into my mind.  You see, I have been on lots of airplanes.  My influences have been through the books I have read, the coaching programs I can do on the road, the fabulous movies I watch on all my Delta flights. 

When you look at yourself and your impact, often the actions seem so small at the time.  At least for me it seems that way.  Maybe you can see your global impact with each action.  As I watch movies about Walt Disney to Ruth Bader Ginsberg, one thing always sticks with me  - they dove into something they were truly passionate about, rarely took no for an answer and only when a few other people would stop them to really look at their impact would they see it.

Each and every influential person went through their ups and downs.  It is part of the growth process.  Walt started out with almost nothing, grew a fortune, lost almost all of it and started the process over a whole lot smarter.  Justice Ginsberg, like so many women in a man’s world, fought an uphill sexism battle to rise to the ranks of the Supreme Court.  Luckily, both of these rock stars were surrounded with amazing people who supported them, balanced their strengths and allowed them to never do life alone.

As you grow your doTERRA business or just go through life, there are so many ways to use your strengths, meet people, teach your friends and their friends to grow but one thing remains absolutely true.  You have to love what you are doing to really convey your message.  That energy will convey your message far more than the words you speak.  Don’t get me wrong, you need a clear and concise message too.  Your heart is how you have the influence.  Now, that might sound like some mystical, magical thing but have you ever heard of a performer being “flat” on a performance and when they are interviewed later (and honest) they will say “I just didn’t feel it tonight.”  They were lacking heart and passion. 

Your passion is jet fuel to your influence.  If your energy is lacking….it is like having an empty tank.  So many of these things build on each other to give you influence. 

So you want more influence and energy….don’t we all. 

Here are some of the things that work for me (and keep in mind, I have spent 3 months with a tough travel schedule and lots of emotional ups & downs):

• Watch a movie that allows for an emotional release...either laughing or crying, whatever you need
• Exercise, even it is 10 minutes of walking, stationary bike or a good stretch in the morning
• Get a journal and write down all the junky thoughts you think are holding you back, THEN write why they have served you so far
• Sing really loud in your car with or without anyone else
• Practice Ho'oponopono  Click this link here to learn more

And AWAYYYY We Go!

Some of you following this blog know that my real identity...aka day job, is as a pilot.  Yes, like big airplanes.  I was a huge fan of the phrase, "If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going."  But check out my current bird!  She is one awesome machine.   I spend more time teaching others how to fly her than I actually get flying but that is alright.  

How does this apply to essential oils?  Great question!  I am not exactly the person you think would be into natural medicine.  That is the thing about doTERRA!  It works.  You use it, it does what it says and you just want to keep using it.

But that is not what this blog is about today.  It is about oils and travelling.  

If you love to travel, hate to travel, travel for work or just take a yearly vacation the oils can really help you.  First off, you can take them through security.  The TSA does not restrict them as long as you follow the 3-1-1 Rule.

Most bottles of doTERRA are 15mL and you can fit many in a quart size Ziploc bag.  There are also great ways to carry them if you want to take just a little bit for a short trip.  You can use either a travel size carrier or recycle/re-purpose a Altoid mint tin.  They work great.  But what do you pack?

 

Well, there are a couple of options.  If you have a daily protocol, obviously you want those oils.  Let's say you don't but you want to be prepared.  The doTERRA blog has some great ideas how to make kits.

Now, since that blog entry was made, there have been some new, cool products announced.  One being DigestZen softgels.  DigestZen oil would work great too.  The softgels are just very portable!

This little gem will help keep you from suffering from stomach issues that can result from a change in water, soil, food, etc.  Let's face it, no one wants to travel across this awesome planet to end up seeing only a bathroom.

Then there is OnGuard+ softgels.  If you feel rundown or worry you have been exposed to a virus, this is the product for you.  I am testing it's potency out right now with the start of a sinus issue.  This little soft gel is my new protect and defender!

So far, I like the fact that if I feel a bit lousy it is very easy to take.  It will be just as easy to pack in your bag.

Now back to oils that I would take.  Peppermint!  It is going to help tackle headaches, upset tummies, and fevers.  The other great benefit of Peppermint is that it will help you perk up and tackle Jet Lag!  Add a little Frankincense or Wild Orange and really see a big boost.  As a mother of three, I use that little blend frequently to keep going around 3 pm.

Mix peppermint with a bit of water and spray down any hotel bed to help kill bed bugs as well!  

Let's say it is bedtime locally but your internal clock does not agree.  That is where I would break out Lavender, Serenity or maybe even Geranium.  All are great at promoting sleep.  

The best way I found to handle sleep issues on the road was to sleep when I was tired.  Of course as a pilot, I was never staying anywhere too long.  Sleep prevailed over sightseeing.  If you are on vacation more than likely you really want to see the sights.  Do your best to adjust to the time zone you are visiting.  If you land and it is 8 am, try to stay up and do all the normal daytime activities you want and possibly get to bed a bit early if you get tired.  It really does help you reset. 

OnGuard would be in my travel kit as well.  You can mix it with water in a spray bottle to make hand sanitizer.  8 drops to 3 oz of water is a potent mixture to help ward off those unwanted travel bugs.  It will just help you everyday keep the germs away.  Apply it to your feet daily for overall immune support.

I spend many days wandering how my world travel would have been very different if the oils were in my life "back in the day".  I am quite positive, my overall health would have been much better.  I am certain the many times I ended up with some nasty stomach bugs, I could have suffered far less.  At least I have them now and they will travel everywhere I go.

Now, who is ready to go here?

This is the Maldives....yes please!

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