I took a short trip with my family last weekend across the country. While packing I debated whether to bring my trusty notebook and pencil, I mean we were traveling for only 4 days including transit. Also we were taking this trip to get away with the kids and experience new things. Eventually I looked at it in what I thought was a more practical way, I was going to spend six hours on a train and nine on a plane, what a perfect time to make progress on my next collection of poetry. So I brought my notebook.

Here’s the part where before I left I thought I’d be writing about how much progress I made while travelling. I’m surprised and pleased to say I got absolutely no writing done on my trip. I laughed, watched movies, and played games with my children on the airplanes. We chatted and connected and it felt great. We played cards when our train got delayed between stations and took pictures of our travelling stuffed dinosaur all over the place. I saw the scenery and did absolutely no work. Even my work fueled husband didn’t speak of work once.

What I did do was come home refreshed and clear minded. Stress free and able to focus I have made more progress in the week I’ve been home than I did the month before I left. Maybe one day I will be able to make a great travelling writer, I do hope to travel quite a bit one day. For now, it seems, I am much too distracted with new sights and appropriately prioritizing making memories with my family.

I dream of sitting on a beach one day, looking at the ocean, and writing. Maybe one day but for now I’ll enjoy the sights and experiences with my husband and children and return home with a clear head to write.