I share packing tips and packing light motivation to help make your travels less stressful. Join the list to get my Minimal Wardrobe Visual Guide!
π HPL Guidebook May 2025: Table for One
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Hey [FIRST NAME GOES HERE], Happy May! I hope you are getting ready to head off on new adventures whether those be from maximizing a long weekend or relaxing overseas for a week. (And if you are traveling in the U.S., don't forget that Southwest's new luggage policy takes effect on May 28th, and you may need to focus on carry-on only in order to get free luggage. Need a hand with that? Try this.) It's my birthday month, so I always have a soft spot for this time of year. It doesn't hurt getting some fun travel gifts ticked off my birthday wish list π Speaking of gifts... I'm thinking about doing a couple of trainings very soon to help you with your packing. One will be a gift with purchase, and the other will be a gift-gift. I'll send you an email soon with more details! Now on to the Guidebook topic!I remember the struggle like it was yesterday: The dreaded question of, "How many?" when heading out to dinner π« A big part of travel is getting to explore and eat at the best restaurants in a new destination. Being the best, however, means they are often the busiest. And that can be super intimidating when you're there for a table for one. I will say that it does get easier with practice, so be brave and make it a time to enjoy your own company. Plus, no one really cares about what you're doing except for you - it's true! This guidebook is going to explore solo travel and taking part in activities alone - because sometimes you have to hit the road now instead of waiting for a day when someone else *might* be able to join you. π From HPLTraveling solo can be dauntingβ¦especially if you've never done it before. We've got some advice to help you feel more at ease before your solo travels. βοΈ Don't let going alone keep you from traveling to less popular destinations. Learn how I gained the confidence to travel alone so that I could travel to off-beat destinations... and not always dine alone. βοΈ Don't let going alone keep you from feeling safe and secure. Try some of the practical safety tips here, and make your mind up on the controversial ones as well. βοΈ Don't let going alone make you feel like you need to pack more stuff. Instead, focus on bringing just what you need in a carry-on (or less) for all the reasons right here. Around the WebβοΈ Eat Alone Like a Pro: Tips to Prepare Yourself for Solo Dining: Melissa of A Solo Woman Traveling shares some excellent advice for when you find yourself at a table for one. She includes tips for finding the best eateries to accommodate solo diners as well as how to make the process less awkward. (Hint - love the to-do list idea.) βοΈ How Women Over 50 Can Get Started in Solo Travel: Solo travel can happen at any age. This article from Journey Woman has loads of great insight. βοΈ Why EVERY Woman Should SOLO TRAVEL: There are so many reasons to travel solo. Kristin has been a popular voice in the solo female travel space, inspiring many to explore the world on their own terms. Travel TriviaOn Our Listπ If you want to avoid dining alone when traveling alone, bring some travel-friendly cutlery like these utensils from Outlerly so you can picnic your lunch or dinner somewhere nice. π If having a backup place for some extra money feels nice when traveling solo, these scrunchies with a hidden pocket are great for storing a room key and some cash. π If you're concerned about feeling bored without a travel buddy, stay entertained with plenty of books to read on your Kindle or a travel journal to document your journey. As Seen OnTropicfeel has an ultralight backpack collection worth checking out. Their Scout backpack can range from 14 to 25L in volume (and it can go even further with their smart attachments). Best of all, the bag only weighs 580g (~ 20 oz), and lightweight luggage is a great idea especially when traveling solo.
β β ICYMI: Videos & Podcastsβ β I hope you have enjoyed this edition of the HPL Guidebook! Happy packing, Brooke P.S. And your trivia answer is: 72% of all solo travelers are women! |
Her Packing List
I share packing tips and packing light motivation to help make your travels less stressful. Join the list to get my Minimal Wardrobe Visual Guide!
Hey [FIRST NAME GOES HERE], You may have heard the commotion lately on this hot topic! Many travelers are talking about the changes happening to Southwest Airlines' baggage policy. Up until now, Southwest has allowed travelers to bring up to 2 pieces of checked luggage for free! What luxury! But, starting May 28th, you will need to pay to bring checked luggage - something they haven't done for the past 50 years π± The news may come as a shock to anyone who chooses to fly Southwest specifically...
Hey [FIRST NAME GOES HERE], Would you like to take your packing list from economy to first class? Of course you would! But before we get into that, I wanted to remind you all that I am running the HPL Annual Reader Survey right now. It would be extremely helpful for me to know a bit more about you. And, since I've been stuck in bed sick for the past week, I've extended the deadline for the $30 Amazon Gift Card drawing to February 9th! Now, onto the packing list... Economy vs First Class...
Hey [FIRST NAME GOES HERE], Before taking Baggage Freedom Express, Kim was hesitant: "I thought I was beyond help, having packed this way for so very long." Can you relate? Kim was stuck in a packing rut. 𧳠While old habits die hard, our inability to get out of a rut often comes down to not clearly seeing an alternative (and viable) path. For some, packing light feels like finding a nice, new route that hasn't yet been added to Google Maps. It'll be incredibly frustrating trying to track it...