Jet lag is the worst.
It’s been quite awhile since I’ve traveled more than four or five hours by plane and had to adjust to more than a couple of hours time difference. I guess I forgot how shitty you can end up feeling when your internal clock is screwed up. The worst part is knowing there’s not a whole lot you can do except wait it out and give your body time to adjust. Unfortunately, that usually means missing out on certain activities so you can take it easy while your body recovers from the strenuous travel.
I’m jealous of my friends, who were able to get up at 6:30 this morning and jet off to our scheduled tour of Oxford, Warwick Castle, Shakespeare’s birthplace and the Cotswolds. I was looking forward to meandering the cobblestone streets of the famous college town, of wandering through the historic castle, of getting a bit of Shakespearean history, of viewing England’s countryside. But I know my body and I know if I had pushed on, I’d pay for it later and probably not get to enjoy all the other exciting things we have planned these next five days.
So instead, I took it easy by myself, getting some extra, much-needed sleep, then puttering around the hotel room slowly, before heading out into the city in search of sustenance. I ended up finding some in a delicious gluten-free bakery, Beyond Bread. Sure, I’d rather have been snapping photos of picturesque buildings and scenery with my friends, but the traditional English brunch I had was delicious, as was the muffin I took as a snack for later (which I’m currently enjoying with my peppermint tea).
After filling my belly and perusing a few stores, I took the long way home and walked the streets near Buckingham Palace, getting a few more photos in to add to the ones we snapped last night once the tourists had gone home for the day. I bought another adorable Alice in Wonderland tea mug from Whittard to add to my collection. I explored the hotel’s courtyard and people-watched in the lobby. Even though I didn’t get to do exactly what I planned on doing today, I still enjoyed being back in london and being on vacation, without having to worry about work or the trivial tasks of being an adult. I could just sort of be in the moment, whether that moment was fast-paced among the bustling tourists at the palace, or low-key sipping tea with my feet up.
Jet lag is the worst and I hate it. If you’re someone who suffers from it when traveling, you probably hate it, too. But it’s okay to succumb for the first day or two and take it easy on yourself. No one will mind if you need a day to rest and recover. And if they do, you probably shouldn’t be traveling with them to begin with. At the end of the day, only you know what your body can handle, so listen and be gentle and give it what it needs. Those landmarks and tourist attractions aren’t going anywhere; they’ll still be there when you’re good and ready to enjoy them.
I may have missed out on a great tour today, but I’ve got plenty more to look forward to the rest of the week. Like the Harry Potter studio tour tomorrow. So come at me, jet lag. Give me your best shot.
mind over madness 