Guest Blog Introduction
Ema Gavrilovic is a freelance writer based in Chicago, Illinois. After finally becoming licensed as a clinical therapist Ema chooses to pursue her passion for all things outdoors, travel, and adventure and avoids the daily grind of a nine-to-five. If she is not researching new ideas and writing in the local coffee shop or library, one can find her training in ballet, practicing yoga, or reading a novel.
Tactical Preparation for Your First Weekender after Quarantine
No matter in what country you’re reading this we all eagerly await the return of normalcy. Our future trip planning keeps us sane by instilling hope. This guide covers some necessities to fulfill when taking your first-weekend trip after your area lifts its shelter-in-place rules. Three takeaways exist to keep in mind to prepare for your “first” venture after the crisis! Top things to consider are the number of people in your group, the location of your next experience, and the length of the journey. Even if you’re already in a cool location as today’s remote work abilities sustain your digital nomadic living you can also benefit from these tips to keep yourself safe and to maximize your environment.
Number of Participants in Your Trip
This is one of those concepts to really, really appraise because even though some states may ease restrictions and you regain freedom etiquette on social distancing may still play an effect on the number of people that can travel with you. Please check with your local state and county about this. And verify with the state and local county of the preserve or city you plan to visit for up-to-date social distancing guidelines. Originally, my friend suggested doing a group trip to this waterfall-filled weekend getaway in my state with friends this month… until the quarantine was extended. Immediately, my plans changed. Now I reckon with solo travel I will still be able to enjoy a stress-free environment while complying with current trends.
Another suggestion is to reflect on what, at this very moment, you would feel most comfortable initiating: As you envision your perfect getaway do you see yourself breathing out this stressful time in solitary meditation under the stars? Or, do you picture yourself in the middle of a group of your friends or with a partner sharing the moment? If you are starting to feel cooped up at home it sounds like you can handle a solo getaway. If you dearly miss your loved ones, perhaps spending time together on your weekender is the better option. Your current needs will influence not only the type of activities but also with whom you choose to share time and energy that weekend.
Location Matters Now More than Ever
Of course, location always matters but do study the location of your next adventure. With traveling, restrictions taking place globally is an abroad trip the best option within one to four weeks? The picture may change, but right now with flight cancellations and with differing healthcare practices it may be best to stay in the country where you are currently residing to avoid roadblocks and to stay safe. The nomad in you may even find a new perspective on your current town in ways you didn’t know existed! Drones are becoming more and more popular. Take out your drone and appreciate your area through a new view (Google Earth is a good alternative for most of us without drone ownership). From a bird’s eye view, the possibilities to daydream are endless.
Also, not all areas may be open for this weekend. If you’re envisioning a “staycation” in your own city please keep in mind that not all shops may be open and you may not get the “full” experience. A month ago, we could sit in a chic coffee shop chatting happily with friends, and now, we are taking that order to go. Experience in a city may look and feel different for the remainder of this season. Outside of city limits, some recreation areas may still be closed to the public. I noticed a pattern that oftentimes the state parks that reopen are the more obscure ones that don’t usually attract large crowds. Although touristy beaches are reopening. In either case, remember to call the recreation area’s office number or check its website before you hit the road to ensure it’s open and inquire upon any restrictions.
Length of Trip
Lastly, the trip’s length is important during this time. Should it be overnight or just a day trip? My friends were originally talking about renting rooms at a lodge, but I may personally either camp or just choose to venture as a day trip. At this point in time, it’s important to remember your expenses and how the economic downturn is affecting your wallet. It’s also good to consider cleanliness concerns at any lodging. Personally, I want to dedicate one day before I get bogged down from the daily grind post-pandemic to run errands I neglected while quarantining. However, spending time in the outdoors is important to me so my current hermit lifestyle calls for a future balance between duty and self-care. Another option is going for an overnight but leaving for home very early the next day.
Also, call ahead to make sure lodging is available. Even a campsite may be closed despite the park being open. Otherwise, you may find yourself sleeping in the van (unless you were planning to already)!
A Reminder to be Mindful
This guideline isn’t meant to worry you or make you dwell over specifics. Rather, it addresses some key topics that we all would do well to be mindful of to create our first weekend trip after Covid-19 decreases. Always remember that creating an itinerary is part of the experience and with a positive mindset planning it this time will be fun, too! The number of your companions, the exact address, and the length of time of the trip may ebb and flow week-by-week but the contentment rooted in us which we feel when we are cruising is forever present.
Without further ado, carry on, Nomads!
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