Business Travel: Is it actually chic?

It has been a minute since I had to travel for business. Still undecided if I like it…. almost 20 years later.

The idea of traveling alone sounds thrilling. With 3 kids to plan every detail for, having a roller bag, my air-pods and my own snacks sounds great.

The collaboration, the insight, the face-to-face… all good. Being able to see body language, to observe rooms, all important.

But, I am not sold that business travel itself is actually chic. Strangely, I spent most of my life thinking it was. And when I told my social circles and my village at home of my plans, they thought it would be too.

Here I am, staying in a swanky hotel, traveling alone, enjoying meals, working on my own clock… or so they think.

Reality is, I am exhausted.

This is not my home base. I do not recharge the same in a new hotel, no matter how pretty, fancy or trendy it is. My time is not my own. I am on an agenda that I may have influenced but did not decide. I only have what I bring with me, so last minute items I would walk to another room for, just are not here. Everything takes aggressive planning because the challenges of multi-state commuting means lots of waiting around.

I honestly feel like I am continuously looking for: water, a bathroom and an outlet for my charger. In between there, I am trying to actively listen, diligently take notes and attempt to maximize the time around me. But yet, here I am, 20 years later still find some ounce of value in the business travel.

Today, I walked off the elevator and saw this picture and thought - actually this is all mindset. Sure I am exhausted, but if I tell myself I am as chic as this image…heck, then I am! It really is about understand the positive you can take from the time. Not getting caught up in the exhausting (and when I saw exhausting I am hoping I make it through dinner without putting my head down) conversations, task lists you build up plus managing your home life… because home is still happening and I still keep an eye on it.

This is what makes me flip flop on if this is chic or not. But honestly, is it?