I used to buy plane tickets the way some people buy painkillers…fast, desperate, praying the numbing would kick in before the ache did.
In those early months after losing my husband, travel became my escape button. I booked trips hoping distance would dull the pain, thinking new places might distract me from the empty chair that followed me everywhere.
But grief isn’t something you can outrun.
It made its way through TSA.
It sat next to me on the plane.
It stood in the room with me while I unpacked.
And even in the most beautiful places, my heart still whispered: He should be here.
From Escaping To Experiencing
With time and healing, my mindset began to shift.
I no longer travel just to run away from the pain.
Now, I travel to walk with it…and to show my children what living with love and loss looks like side by side.
Then
If I stay busy, maybe I won’t feel…
No itinerary, just escape…
Random souvenirs…
Now
Feeling is allowed in every time zone…
Purposeful trips that balance rest + fun…
One intentional keepsake we cherish…
Traveling has become therapy in motion. And more than that…it’s become a part of our healing legacy.
Why I Still Take the Trip
• Because I carry both joy and grief now. I’ve learned there’s space for both.
• Because my kids need to see life continues. Even with heartbreak, life doesn’t stop.
• Because new places remind me what’s still possible.
• Because he would’ve wanted us to keep living. And I believe that now, deep in my bones.
This isn’t about forgetting him. It’s about remembering him in every sunset, every street market, every moment we allow ourselves to feel alive again.
Our Travel Rituals
To honor him, we’ve created a couple of simple traditions:
• We talk about him on every trip…what he would have liked most about the trip and what joke he would have cracked at dinner time.
• We collect one magnet from each destination.
They’re small, sacred pauses in the adventure. Proof that we haven’t left him behind, we’ve just learned to bring him with us differently.
Tips for Traveling With a Tender Heart
• Pack Permission, Not Perfection: You’re allowed to cry in the middle of the museum, or laugh on the beach. Both are real.
• Build in Buffer Days: Leave room in the schedule for quiet, rest, and grief to do what it does.
• Stay Where You Feel Safe: Choose lodging that feels peaceful, not just “Instagram-worthy.”
• Narrate the Trip to Your Person: A quick journal note or voice memo—“You would’ve loved this”…can bring them close again.
If You’re Still Unsure About Going…
Maybe you’re thinking it’s too soon.
Maybe you’re scared the pain will crash into you mid-flight.
Then don’t book a week away.
Start with one night. One drive. One walk down a new street.
Let your heart see that you can survive, and maybe even breathe, in places your grief hasn’t memorized.
And when you’re ready… take the trip.
Not because you’ve moved on, but because you’re learning how to move with it.
What’s Coming Soon…
Later this month, I’ll be sharing my Top 10 Travel Hacks for Solo Moms, real-life tips that help keep things calm, affordable, and kid-friendly while grieving. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.
With courage and clear skies,
La 💙
