Five Things Six Weeks in Europe Taught Me

Six weeks. Ever-expanding backpacks. Countless steps and stairs. Trains, planes, cobblestones, and more gelato than I care to publicly admit.

Travelling through Europe with my family for six weeks was one of those experiences that stretches you in all directions, physically, emotionally, and mentally. And while I expected to collect memories, photos, and maybe a mild addiction to European pastries, what I didn’t fully anticipate was how much I’d learn about myself along the way.

Travel has a way of acting like a mirror. When routines shift, energy is stretched, and familiar structures fall away, what truly supports us becomes much clearer.

Here are the five lessons I’m still carrying with me, long after we unpacked our bags, and the ones that feel just as relevant to everyday life and work as they did on the road.

1. Fitness really matters (and not in a “six-pack” way)

This one sounds obvious, until you’re hauling a backpack up multiple flights of stairs in a train station, after walking 20,000 steps, on day four in a row.

What struck me wasn’t just the physical demand of travel, but how much energy it required to truly enjoy it. Sightseeing all day, standing in galleries, navigating cities, and then backing it up again the next day (and the next) asks a lot of your body.

Being physically prepared didn’t just make things easier. It made the experience richer. Instead of enduring each day, I felt present, open, and able to actually enjoy what was around me.

Strength training, walking, running, and cardio aren’t just “exercise”, they’re foundations for sustained energy, resilience, and engagement. When your body can support you, your mind gets to relax, adapt, and respond more thoughtfully, whether you’re navigating a foreign city or a full workday.

Where might building a little more physical capacity support you to show up with greater energy and presence in your own life or work?

2. Routines are wonderful… and flexibility is essential

Before this trip, I had made 2025 the year of solid, consistent routines. And to my own surprise, I became very good at them. Eating a certain way. Moving my body regularly. Keeping a rhythm that felt supportive and grounding.

So good, in fact, that when those routines were disrupted on this trip, I felt oddly unsettled, even agitated at times. That reaction taught me something important.

Routines are powerful. They create safety, stability, and the consistency required for a healthy body and mind. But holding them too tightly can make us brittle. Travel reminded me that flexibility is what allows learning, growth, and expansion to occur, especially when life doesn’t follow the plan (and it often doesn’t).

This feels particularly relevant beyond travel. In work and life, routines support us, but adaptability is what helps us stay regulated, effective, and open when circumstances change.

Heading into 2026, I’m keeping my routines, while holding them more lightly. Making more room for spontaneity, curiosity, and the unexpected.

Where might you benefit from loosening your grip slightly and allowing more flexibility into an otherwise supportive routine?

3. There’s real power in sitting in the back seat

Normally, on trips like this, I’m the planner. The booker. The keeper of maps and schedules. This time, while I made suggestions, I didn’t organise or book anything. I let other family members lead the way.

I won’t pretend that was easy. When things weren’t done how I would have done them, or plans went slightly off-script, I felt the pull to take back control.

But something wonderful happened when I didn’t.

Others grew in confidence and responsibility. They became more engaged and invested. And I experienced a sense of freedom and spaciousness that I don’t often feel on trips.

Letting go doesn’t mean not caring. It means trusting, allowing, and tolerating the unknown. This is a skill that shows up everywhere, in leadership, collaboration, and family life alike, and it’s a muscle I’m very consciously continuing to build in 2026 (and probably beyond).

What might become possible if you stepped back just enough to allow others more space to lead or contribute?

4. Small things are worth more than you think

When packing space is tight, it’s tempting to strip things back to the bare essentials. Before we left, I gave some thought to the small comforts that help us all feel grounded, and I’m so glad I did.

Favourite scents tucked into body wash or sprays. Reusable coffee cups in colours we love (because morning cuppas matter). Puzzles and games for long train rides and quiet evenings.

One of the simplest and most impactful habits was our nightly check-ins. Just a few minutes to make sure everyone knew the plan for the next day, to share energy levels, health concerns, travel logistics, and hopes for the destination ahead.

These small rituals created clarity, connection, and a sense of shared understanding. A reminder that it’s often the simplest practices, consistently applied, that have the greatest impact on wellbeing and performance.

Tiny rituals. Big returns.

What small habit, ritual, or comfort could make a meaningful difference to how supported you feel day to day?

5. What’s “important” looks different for everyone

This trip gently, and sometimes very clearly, broadened my understanding of what truly matters to the people I love.

For our daughter, being connected to the internet wasn’t a luxury; it was essential for her sense of safety. A fully charged portable Wi-Fi device became a non-negotiable.

For my husband, emergency chocolate bars were key for preventing energy crashes. While not a habit of mine, we made it our shared responsibility to keep those supplies stocked across Europe.

Travel made one thing obvious. When we honour the needs of others, even when they differ from our own, everyone feels more supported, and the journey flows more smoothly. This applies just as much in families, teams, and workplaces as it does on the road.

Whose needs might you better acknowledge or support, and what impact could that have on your shared outcomes?

Travel has a way of reflecting you back to yourself. It shows you where you’re strong, where you’re rigid, where you’re generous, and where there’s still room to grow.

I came home with a full heart and a deeper appreciation for preparation, flexibility, shared responsibility, and the quiet power of small, thoughtful choices.

For all the kilometres travelled, these lessons have clarified how I want to support my health, mindset, and the way I move forward, both personally and professionally.