Transforming Work Trips into Meaningful Experiences
Let’s face it: business travel isn’t always the high-flying, jet-setting, glam experience it’s cracked up to be. Early mornings, long meetings, and those same beige hotel walls can leave you feeling more drained than inspired. But what if work trips could be more? What if they could recharge you, spark creativity, and even bring joy?
That’s where the Bleisure mindset comes in—it is a way to transform business travel into a meaningful and restorative experience.
Reimagine business travel
For years, I approached work trips like most people: focus on the job, tick off the to-do list, and head home. But over time, I realised how much I was missing. Why not stay a little longer? Why not experience the places my work was taking me?
Bleisure permitted me to rethink my work travel habits. It’s about blending productivity and pleasure, creating connections, inspiration, and self-care opportunities.
Think about your last work trip. Did you enjoy the destination or experience something new, or was it all business, with no leisure? Bleisure isn’t about shirking responsibilities but shifting your mindset to incorporate moments that matter.
Harmony, not balance
We’ve all heard the term “work-life balance,” but balance can feel like an impossible standard to reach. Life rarely divides itself into neat, equal parts. Instead, Bleisure focuses on harmony, allowing you to flow between work and leisure, depending on the situation.
I extended my stay on a recent work trip by just one day. That extra time allowed me to unwind, explore, and see the destination with fresh eyes. It wasn’t a grand adventure, but it reminded me that even small changes can make a big difference.
Making business travel meaningful
You don’t need to reinvent your schedule to transform your trips. Here are a few ways to embrace the Bleisure lifestyle:
- Extend your stay: To explore the area, add a day or two before or after your work commitments.
- Plan: Research local spots you’d like to visit, from must-try restaurants to cultural landmarks.
- Upgrade your accommodation: Stay somewhere that inspires you, like a boutique hotel or a wellness retreat.
- Savour the small moments: Even a walk through a park or a quick coffee at a local café can make your trip feel more special.
A real-life reminder: Rediscovering the joy of bleisure
My friend Paul recently shared that he’d lost his art of Bleisure. He travels a lot for work and used to weave joy into his trips, scheduling dives near ocean locations, taking an extra night to recharge, or planning flights to allow extra time at a destination.
But on a flight home, six weeks after reading The Art of Bleisure, it hit him like a zap to the forehead: “I’m not making time for me anymore.” It wasn’t that he wasn’t allowed or that time wasn’t available; he had just stopped.
Work travel had become a chore. Paul missed the thrill of securing a project or celebrating a signed contract. What he missed, though, were those moments of recharging, enjoying the destination, and connecting with the city and its people. From that day forward, he committed to restoring those moments.
So now my challenge is to you: how can you reclaim those moments for yourself?
Why this matters?
Bleisure is about more than having fun, though that’s a big part. It’s about caring for yourself, staying inspired, and performing better at work. Stepping out of the routine and experiencing something new sparks creativity and helps you return to your role with fresh energy.
Start your bleisure journey
Business travel doesn’t have to be draining. With a few simple shifts, you can turn your trips into something that supports your well-being and recharges your spirit. Bleisure is about reclaiming the joy in travel, no matter where work takes you.
Ready to try it? Download my journal prompts for inspiration, and let’s start transforming your work trips into meaningful experiences.
