The other day, my husband Mat and I found ourselves deep in conversation about routines. I confessed I have a love-hate relationship with them.

As a Capricorn, the stereotype fits. I love a good list. I'm organized, disciplined, and—truth be told—I find real satisfaction in structure. At 38, I’ve built a routine that supports my physical and mental well-being: consistent sleep, regular exercise, nourishing meals, and little pleasures like face masks, exfoliating scrubs and breathwork. It’s taken years, but I’ve crafted habits that genuinely serve me.

When I’m home, these rituals unfold naturally. I drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. I roll out my yoga mat for movement and stretching. I wind down early, slipping into bed by 9 p.m. with earplugs in and lights off. Mondays mean reading with my feet soaking after work. Sundays are for meal prepping with Mat. These routines have become part of our rhythm—almost invisible in their ease.

But everything shifted when we set off on our year-long honeymoon.

When Travel Breaks Your Routine

The moment we quit our jobs and packed our bags, I rebelled against structure. I craved freedom, spontaneity, the thrill of open-ended days. I wanted to be led by curiosity—not a to-do list.

At first, it felt exhilarating. But without the anchor of a work schedule, the days began to blur. Sometimes we’d rise before dawn to catch a bus. Other times, we’d sleep until ten, groggy and restless. Our nights stretched too long with Netflix marathons, our bodies aching from lack of movement. I missed the sea-view balcony workouts at our past home in the Caribbean. I missed my rituals. Motivation became a stranger in cramped hotel rooms with no space.

By the end of the first month, I felt completely untethered…and unhealthy.

How to Rebuild Routine While Traveling

*Life can look clearer from upside down- San Francisco, 2025*

Through trial and error, I learned how to rebuild a flexible routine that could travel with me. Here’s what worked:

1. Start Small

If you’re used to 30-minute workouts, try just 5–10 minutes. Keep your habit alive without overwhelming yourself. Consistency matters more than intensity.

2. Identify Keystone Habits

Figure out which habits truly keep you grounded. I let go of skincare routines and fancy meals—but I kept journaling, stretching, and moving daily.

3. Stay Active, Creatively

Walk everywhere: It’s movement, immersion, and discovery all in one.
Hotel room workouts: Bodyweight exercises, yoga flows, or dance sessions on YouTube. My go-to channels? Tana Yoga, MadFit, NoBadAddiction, Eleni Fit, Move With Nicole, Heather Robertson, and Boho Beautiful.
Use fitness apps: Whether you’re into HIIT or guided meditation, apps like Down Dog, Nike Training Club, or Insight Timer can travel with you.

4. Prioritize Sleep

Stick to a consistent bedtime and wake-up time when possible.
Create a restful environment with earplugs, an eye mask, or white noise apps.
Limit screens before bed.

5. Be Prepared

Pack resistance bands, a jump rope, or a travel-friendly yoga mat.
Pack healthy snacks, supplements, or whatever supports your well-being.
Research healthy restaurants or parks near your destination.

6. Practice Mindful Eating

Enjoy the local cuisine, but listen to your body. Savor every bite without slipping into mindless indulgence.

Life After Travel

Now, I’m no longer living out of a backpack. These days, I’m based in Malta, teaching full-time. You might assume that means I’ve fully returned to a life of structure and predictability—but what I’ve come to realize is that routine, on its own, isn’t the full answer. Nor is freedom.

*Our new favorite Maltese routine; discovering a new swim spot each week and soaking in the Mediterranean sun, sea and vibes- 2025*

What I’ve learned—through the contrast of a completely unstructured travel lifestyle and the steadiness of full-time work—is that it’s not about choosing one or the other. It’s about how we approach our daily habits and the meaning we give them.

When our habits become rigid, when we follow them without thinking, they can numb us. We stop paying attention. Life becomes something we manage, rather than experience.

But when routines are chosen with intention—and held lightly—they become a strong foundation that supports our energy, creativity, and presence. They help us feel grounded, not trapped. They give us a baseline from which to explore.

And that exploration doesn’t have to come from a plane ticket or a packed backpack. It can start in the smallest of ways: taking a different route to work, trying a new recipe, reading a genre you’d normally skip, listening to a podcast outside your usual interests, or choosing a new café over your usual go-to. Discovery, I’ve found, is less about where you are and more about how you’re moving through your day.

A Call to Reflection

*Emerging into clarity- Lanyu Island, Taiwan, 2025*

Are you truly experiencing your life—or simply going through the motions?
What habit is worth keeping—even on your busiest, messiest day?
Which routines have become numbing or compulsive?

The Takeaway

Keep the routines that support you. Break the ones that don’t.

Give yourself permission to ebb and flow—like the tides, like the seasons. There is wisdom in their rhythm.

Travel taught me this: structure doesn’t have to be strict, and freedom doesn’t have to be chaotic.

When we hold our habits lightly—with curiosity and self-compassion—we open ourselves to both steadiness and spontaneity. That’s where the real magic lives.

Let your routine serve your life, not contain it.
Let it be the foundation you build from—not the cage you live in.

Routine vs. Spontaneity: Do You Really Have to Choose?