The 10 Travel Commandments 🙏🏼

I knew Europe would give me all the memz…what I didn’t realize it would also completely rewrite the way I move through life.

Somewhere between delayed flights, solo dinners, overpacked carry-ons, and drinking Prosecco out of plastic cups on a train rides, I picked up a few rules for traveling.

So before I close this chapter, here are the 10 commandments Europe has given me and that I am sharing with you today!

I. Thou shalt build in rest days.

Not every moment needs to be optimized, guys.

Some of my favorite days were the ones where I did almost nothing and included slow mornings, wandering without a plan, sitting at a cafe too long, resetting my nervous system. Don’t let yourself feel guilty either about it!

II. Thou shalt never fear solo travel.

I cannot say this loudly enough…go anyway!

Some of my happiest moments happened alone. Sitting at the bar in a tiny restaurant. Walking through a city with nowhere to be. Taking myself to dinner. Missing a train and surviving. Realizing I actually love my own company (maybe more than anyone else’s). I promise you won’t be lonely.

III. Thou shalt travel with friends who are normal about money.

Nothing tests a friendship like splitting a dinner bill after three Aperol spritz and someone suddenly develops selective amnesia. Traveling is infinitely better with people who communicate clearly, split things fairly, and don’t make every shared expense feel super awkward and weird.

IV. Thou shalt always carry coins.

Because Europe really said equality for all… except free public bathrooms. Nothing humbles you faster than desperately needing to pee in a train station while holding only a credit card.

V. Thou shalt sit at the bar whenever possible.

The bar is where life happens, yall. You talk to strangers. You get local recommendations. You watch the bartender work like it’s performance art. You become part of the energy instead of just observing it. Dont come for me but bar seats > tables. Every time.

VI. Thou shalt romanticize the train ride.

Trains are not just transportation. They are an experience. Especially if you bring snacks, a tiny charcuterie situation, and a little bottle of Prosecco to share with friends while the countryside rolls by outside the window. Some of my favorite memories happened between the destinations.

VII. Thou shalt document the little things.

Take the photo. Keep the receipt. Journal the weird story. Save the blurry videos. You think you’ll remember everything, but you won’t. And one day the random cafe napkin or chaotic train selfie becomes proof that this version of you really existed.

VIII. Thou shalt leave room for spontaneity in the i10.

The best nights were rarely the planned ones. They were the “one more drink” nights. The accidental detours. The restaurants we found because we got lost. The conversations that started because someone said yes instead of no. An overplanned trip leaves no room for magic. I do love a good itinerary but I always leave room for the flow.

IX. Thou shalt stop waiting to become someone before living fully.

I kept putting off coming to Europe for some reason. If I chose an assignment there, I wanted to be more established or maybe go with someone. Travel has a funny way of introducing you to yourself. I kept thinking confidence would arrive first, and then I’d do brave things. But actually, the brave things came first. Then confidence followed. Trust yourself!

X. Thou shalt remember that a beautiful life can be super simple.

Fresh bread. Good wine. Walking everywhere. Laughing with friends. Watching the sunset from a train platform. A slow dinner that lasts three hours. Europe reminded me that joy is usually smaller and softer than I make it out to be. And maybe that’s the biggest thing I’m taking back with me to the states. I don’t want a life that only feels good on vacation.

I want to keep living like I’m still here.