By (after I published this post, I submitted to ChatGPT for review…this is the revised version…let me know what you think)
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Travel: Why Work Trips Drain Me and Vacations Lift Me Up
I have one more trip before the end of the year, and I’ll share all about it when I’m back. But lately I’ve been thinking less about the destinations and more about how travel itself affects my mood — for better or worse.
When Work Travel Stops Feeling Worth It
My last two trips were work-related. On-site meetings can be valuable, but let’s be honest: sometimes you fly across the country only to accomplish what an email could have handled. And yet, if the choice is between an all-day in-person meeting and an all-day webinar? I’ll pick in-person every time. An eight-hour webinar feels like punishment.
But the biggest energy drain isn’t the meeting itself — it’s the process of getting there. And nothing kills my travel motivation faster than navigating the Atlanta airport.
The Atlanta Airport Hassle Factor
ATL has turned getting from point A to point B into an obstacle course. First, there’s deciding how to get to the airport. MARTA is theoretically an option, but living in the suburbs means I’d spend just as much time driving to the station as I would driving straight to the terminal. Add in the “after-dark safety” considerations and MARTA becomes a hard no.
That leaves Uber or driving myself. But ATL parking? A mess. Garages are under construction, the off-site shuttle lots add layers of timing stress, and I refuse to leave my brand-new car — my precious — in an exposed lot. Cue the grumpiness.
So I play it safe and leave four hours before my flight. Yes, four. Just in case traffic explodes, security melts down, or a rogue squirrel decides to reenact Final Destination on I-85. Then I get to the gate early and mentally prepare for the battle over overhead bin space since no one checks bags anymore.
All that negative stress hits before I even board.
Coach Class: Sardine Mode
Lately, flying coach has made me feel like a sardine in a tin can, despite the occasional win of snagging an aisle seat. One bright spot: this last trip should lock in my Delta Silver status for 2026… which, in Atlanta, gets you basically nothing. But maybe one lucky upgrade will find me outside the city limits.
I’m also beginning to accept that 2026 will likely be my last year with any airline status. I don’t enjoy chasing it — and the travel grind isn’t worth the emotional toll. If the Atlanta airport were less of a gauntlet, maybe I’d be slightly less kvetchy, but here we are.
Vacation Travel: Where the Joy Creeps Back In
Personal travel, however, is a different universe. The airport stress still exists, but at least there’s a reward waiting at the other end — a beach, a new city, a great hotel, a pool somewhere calling my name.
My last big trip was Delta One to Alaska. I burned a ton of miles and have zero regrets. Worth every one. For my final trip of the year, we’re flying internationally, but my travel companions vetoed Delta One, Business, and Delta Comfort. So: coach it is. At least I nabbed a bulkhead seat. I’m already anticipating a sleepless flight and maybe a wistful dream about that perfect lie-flat Delta One bed.
Why Having a Trip Planned Makes Everything Better
I’ve realized I’m at my happiest when I have a vacation to look forward to. Sometimes the anticipation is just as joyful as the trip itself. When nothing was on my 2026 calendar, I found myself feeling surprisingly down — and then, thankfully, someone who loves to travel as much as I do helped get something scheduled for February.
I’m also trying to commit to another Uniworld river cruise, but home repairs are competing for my attention (and my wallet). I’ll hit “book” eventually. I always do.
And if anyone ever needs a travel buddy, you know where to find me.
Here are some random planes I’ve been on over the years…
