with Britt Reints
Forget the 9 to 5; Full Time, All the Time is a blog about the mobile working life - when you have the freedom to work from anywhere and the responsibility of always having your smartphone turned on. Britt Reints works as a freelance writer while traveling fulltime in an RV with her husband and two kids. She explores balancing real-life bills with an unconventional work life, and finding time to maintain relationships with family and friends.
You can also find Britt at InPursuitOfHappiness.net.
Categories: break from reality, mommy guilt, office life, working mom
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Confession: I love business travel. Now, I’m lucky that my need to travel for business is more rare (once or twice a quarter) and that nowadays it only requires a three hour drive. But even when I traveled to lame places or had three hour layovers, I loved it. And I didn’t feel guilty about it at all.
When I am traveling on company business, I’m not a mommy. I am Robyn. I am a highly-respected colleague. I am a contributor to a team. I am a problem-solver, a solution provider, and a subject matter expert. I feel like I’m Super-Woman instead of Super-Mom.
The “Mom” in me is put on the shelf for a few days. I don’t have to juggle. I don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner. I don’t have to wipe any butts. Business travel is a luxurious break from my day-to-day reality.
I can have room service every night. I can eat cheesecake for dinner and drink a little more than I should — and not have to worry about what example I’m setting for my son.
I can sleep for only 5 hours each night but feel more rested than when I sleep for 7.5 at home.
If I finish my work early and can make it home early, I rarely change my flights. Instead I opt to be a tourist for a few hours in the city I’m visiting. I can see a little of the city, do a little window shopping, and re-group. It’s so nice to only be worried about leaving enough time to drop off the rental car.
When I arrive to pick up my son from preschool at the end of my week, he always gives a big smile just for me and then runs over for a big bear hug. For a split-second, I think that maybe I should travel more so that I get a greeting that like more often.
As much as I love being away on business travel, nothing beats the feeling of coming home.
I used to travel for business and, like you, I loved it. I loved being out in the world and feeling like I was responsible and in charge of me - and only me.
I felt like a REAL grown up. LOL
Miss Britt | June 19th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Mmmmm, sleep. Cheescake. Room service.
Maria | June 19th, 2009 at 11:40 am
I really miss that about not working, and my company really cut down on travel. And going out with sales people, they know how to live it up.
Nicole Pelton | June 21st, 2009 at 9:59 pm
EXACTLY!
I love traveling occasionally, for 3-4 day clips.
The independance is amazing!
I miss my family and love coming home to them.
But the first 2 days are usually a well needed break.
The second 2 are usually me missing them.
worth it!
debr | June 22nd, 2009 at 4:01 pm