How to Make Traveling Actually Enjoyable Again in 2025

Table of Contents

The Airport Meltdown That Made Me Rethink Travel

Wait—Wasn’t This Supposed to Be Fun?

Travel Fatigue Is Real (And You're Not Just Being Dramatic)

Rewriting the Travel Rulebook: Slower, Softer, Saner

Jet Lag, Crying Babies, and That Guy Who Reclines Too Early

Your Travel Bag Doesn’t Need a Zip Code

Airports Are Hellscapes — But Here’s How I Survive Them Now

Traveling with Feelings (aka You Miss Home, So What?)

Digital Detox: Yes, Even at 35,000 Feet

Tiny Travel Rituals That Genuinely Help

Final Thoughts from the Guy Who Once Forgot His Passport at Security

 

The Airport Meltdown That Made Me Rethink Travel

So there I was, crouched next to the hand dryer in a Frankfurt airport bathroom, trying to dry my armpits with a blast of industrial-grade air because my carry-on deodorant got confiscated and my layover had turned into an accidental overnight. At that exact moment—shirt damp, feet aching, emotionally unraveling—I muttered out loud: “This used to be fun, right?”

And that’s when it hit me. Travel used to be exciting. Magical, even. But somewhere between the overpriced bottled water, biometric boarding, and soul-crushing jet lag, the magic slipped away. Or maybe I just got older. Crankier. Who knows.

But here’s the thing: I still love it. I just had to figure out how to make it enjoyable again—on my terms. So if you’ve also been secretly dreading your next trip while pretending you're excited for the Instagram pics… this one’s for you.

Wait—Wasn’t This Supposed to Be Fun?

I miss the version of me who packed two days in advance and got to the airport early just to soak it all in. Now I’m the person Googling “Is four minutes enough to make a connection in Madrid?” from seat 28B.

Travel in 2025 is supposed to be easier—there’s an app for everything, digital passports, AI-powered this and that. But somehow, we’re more stressed, more burned out, and more over it than ever.

Let’s fix that, shall we?

Travel Fatigue Is Real (And You're Not Just Being Dramatic)

Here’s the sciencey bit (I’ll keep it light, promise): Travel fatigue isn’t just jet lag. It’s sensory overload, disrupted routines, dehydration, bad food, and walking 11,000 steps before noon while dragging your body weight in luggage. Oh, and decision fatigue. So. Many. Choices.

You’re allowed to feel exhausted and cranky. It doesn’t make you ungrateful—it makes you human.

Want a hack? Slow down. You don’t need to visit six cities in eight days. Pick two. Stay longer. Take naps. Let yourself do nothing in a new place. That’s still travel.

Rewriting the Travel Rulebook: Slower, Softer, Saner

If I had to describe my new travel philosophy in three words, it’d be: comfort over chaos.

Here’s what that looks like now:

• Booking a window seat even if it costs extra.

• Choosing a 4-hour layover instead of a stressful 45-minute sprint.

• Saying “no” to one more museum if your feet say “no” first.

This isn’t just slow travel, it’s self-aware travel. And honestly? It feels revolutionary.

(Also, I once fell asleep on a museum bench in Berlin. Zero regrets. Great nap.)

Jet Lag, Crying Babies, and That Guy Who Reclines Too Early

Listen. Jet lag is evil. And while there’s no magical cure, I swear by three things:

1. Stay hydrated. I know, boring advice—but it helps.

2. Melatonin gummies. I take one mid-flight. You didn’t hear it from me.

3. Don’t nap the second you land. Unless it’s a power nap. Then nap with honor.

Also, bring noise-canceling headphones and a good memory foam neck pillow. The inflatable ones are okay too, especially if you’re tight on space—but memory foam? It cradles your soul.

Your Travel Bag Doesn’t Need a Zip Code

I used to pack like I was fleeing the country forever. Now? I bring a carry-on and a bad attitude.

Here’s what I cut:

• Three “just in case” outfits. You’ll wear the same three things anyway.

• Full-size anything. No, Karen, you do not need the entire bottle of hairspray.

• Multiple travel guides. You have the internet. Use it (then ignore it).

Minimalist packing = maximal sanity. Fight me.

Airports Are Hellscapes — But Here’s How I Survive Them Now

Real talk: I hate airports. But I’ve made peace with them by creating tiny rituals:

• Always grab a banana and sparkling water after security.

• Stretch in weird corners like a lizard. People will stare. Who cares.

• Never skip the bathroom before boarding. This is gospel.

I also have a playlist called “Songs to Pretend I’m Not Anxious To.” Highly recommend.

Traveling with Feelings (aka You Miss Home, So What?)

Can we normalize missing home while traveling? I used to feel guilty when I wanted to go back to my bed, my local bakery, or my noisy neighbors yelling karaoke at 2 AM (okay, maybe not that last one).

Missing home doesn’t mean you’re doing travel wrong. It just means you have roots—and that’s kind of beautiful.

Also, shoutout to my friend Carla who cried in the middle of a Greek grocery store because she missed Filipino vinegar. Iconic behavior, honestly.

Digital Detox: Yes, Even at 35,000 Feet

Airplane mode is a gift. Use it.

I started reading again on flights. Like, real books. I also journal (badly) and doodle weird little maps of places I’ve been. Once I wrote a letter to my future self on a napkin. It said “Bring socks next time.” Still true.

Try it. Unplug. You don’t need to document everything. Just… be where you are.

Tiny Travel Rituals That Genuinely Help

Want to feel grounded? Make up little rituals. Here are mine:

• Three deep breaths before boarding. Every time.

• Buy a local snack within 24 hours. Even if it’s weird.

• Say thank you in the local language even if you butcher it. Bonus points for enthusiasm.

Oh—and I always carry a mini lavender spray for hotel pillows. It’s ridiculous and I love it.

Final Thoughts from the Guy Who Once Forgot His Passport at Security

Look, I’m not some enlightened travel guru. I’ve made every dumb mistake there is: forgot my charger, lost my passport (twice), got sunburned in Scotland. But I’ve also grown a lot. I’ve learned that travel doesn’t have to be wild or fast or “Insta-worthy” to be amazing.

Sometimes, the best trips are the ones where you just feel... okay. At peace. A little sleepy. A lot full. Slightly sunburned. That’s the dream.

So, how do you make traveling actually enjoyable again in 2025?

You do it your way. At your pace. With your snacks.

And if you ever find yourself crouched under a hand dryer at an airport—you’re not alone. I’ve been there. It gets better.

 

If you liked this rambling mess, maybe check out my other stuff? No pressure though. Just... y’know. Click around. 😉

Also: What’s one weird travel ritual you swear by? Tell me, I need new ideas.

 

Author Profile:

Hi, I’m Florian Werner, the founder of FLOWZOOM. The idea for FLOWZOOM started during an unforgettable trip around the world. After spending what felt like forever on long flights, I noticed just how tough it is to stay comfortable while traveling.

I tried every travel pillow I could find, hoping for some relief—but nothing worked the way I needed it to. That’s when I decided to create my own. At FLOWZOOM, we focus on designing pillows that actually do what they’re supposed to: keep you comfortable and supported while you travel.

I’ve spent years figuring out what makes a great travel pillow. My goal is to make every trip easier for people who, like me, want to enjoy their journey without the aches and pains. I’m proud to share what I’ve learned through FLOWZOOM’s products and tips for better travel.

Here’s to making every trip a little more comfortable!