I’m starting this episode with a hot take. I recently shared a post on Instagram with 3 hot takes, including one about Disney, and people had thoughts. It got me thinking about why travel feels joyful for some and exhausting for others.

Here’s the core idea: Not all vacations are meant to give us the same thing.

Some trips are about amusement, fast-paced, full, distracting.

Some trips are about a muse, slower, quieter, and inspiring.

Neither is wrong, but different seasons of life can call for different kinds of travel.

In this episode, we talk about:

* The simple framework our family uses to plan trips without burning out:

WHY → WHO → WHEN → WHERE → HOW → WHAT

* We start with WHY, because when the intention is clear, everything else gets easier.

* I walk through how this framework shapes our travel decisions, from family trips across Europe to a largely decision-free February cruise booked by my very thoughtful past self.

* We pack light, in carry-on bags only! These duffel bag backpacks are our favorite, and they set us up with code TIDYDAD to share for a 15% off discount.

Tidy Takeaway:

If travel planning feels overwhelming, it’s usually not the destination, it’s the missing intention. Start with the WHY, and the rest gets lighter.

Important Links:

📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life

🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com

📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad

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#46 - A Tidy Dad Guide to Travel Planning That Actually Works