The Ultimate Travel Hack That Has Nothing to Do With Packing 🌍

Okay, buckle up, because your girl has been hustling for the last 60 days. Ahead of the honeymoon, I decided to tackle something completely new: learning Arabic.

And you know what? I'm honestly so proud of myself for sticking with it! So far, I've banked over 200 words.

That’s 200 new ways to see the world, just buzzing around in my brain. If you're someone who struggles with consistency, let this be your little nudge: you can stick to things, even when they’re hard!

The Real Value Isn't Conversation

Let's be real—after just a couple of months, I don't think I'm going to be having deep, philosophical conversations with the locals. My skills aren't quite there yet, and that's totally okay!

But here’s the thing, the goal isn’t to be fluent. The real reward is being able to recognise the odd word here or there, and more importantly, being able to say those magic words: Please and Thank You in their own mother tongue.

For me, this goes way beyond just being polite; it’s a deep respect thing. If I’m lucky enough to visit someone else’s home country, I want to immerse myself in their culture. I want to try and get a feeling for what it’s like to actually be there, not just float through as a tourist.

The International Empathy Check

Think of it this way: Learning even a tiny bit of the local language is the international version of empathy. It’s the ultimate way to put yourself in someone else's shoes, even if it's just for a few words. You’re showing them: I see you, I value your culture, and I put in the effort. That always, always goes a long way.

So yes, maybe some people think it’s a little strange to learn a new language just to accompany a holiday, but honestly, I think it’s one of the nicest and most respectful things you can do. It opens doors (literally and figuratively!) and it makes you a much more thoughtful traveler.

Your Motivational Nudge

If you've been putting off learning a new skill, whether it’s knitting, coding, or yes, a language, let me be your big sister and tell you: Start today. You don't have to master it. You just have to be consistent.

200 words in 60 days. That wasn't a sprint; it was showing up day after day. You have that same capacity for discipline inside you. Go make yourself proud!