Lessons I've Learnt Travelling with a Partner
This is some of the most intense time you may ever spend with your partner…
I mean, other than being in isolation with them you may never experience something like it again. Even now whilst travelling you are both thrown into unknown places, languages, processes that all takes its toll. Here’s the 10 things that I’ve learnt whilst travelling for weekends as well as month long trips with my partner over the years…
Share the load
Now I’m all about that minimal travel packing so when it comes to travelling with your partner you may share some things such as toothpaste, shower gel etc. Share the load by sharing the items in each backpack. It doesn’t seem like much but it’s definitely a good start…
Recognise when you’re just tired - and rest
This is a big thing for me… and definitely also applies to being overheated and ‘hangry’ too! If you feel or can see your partner is turning to a bad mood/place then focus on the essentials first - food, comfort and sleep!
Talk openly
That leads us into this point, remember to talk about everything and anything! There will be a lot going on during the days and sometimes it is a lot to take in… You need to be clear with each other what you wants and needs are throughout the trip in all aspects.
Know who’s in charge of what
I’m not saying I left one of our fanny packs on a coach or anything…(yes I did!) but if you are moving about a lot then it’s a good idea to know who’s got what. For example Ash usually holds our tickets for buses or attractions whereas I get paranoid about keys so they’re my responsibility. This just means we’re not constantly asking each other ‘have you got XYZ???’.
Encourage but don’t push
There might be something that you absolutely want to do and it will be once in a lifetime experience but please don’t push your partner to hard to do so to! If they’re not sure/undecided then of course encourage them! At the end of the day we get it you want to share these memories, but it’s not worth a fight.
Take time to do your own thing
Which easily leads us onto this point. You don’t have to be joint at the hip. You can agree to do your own things sometimes, just make sure to check in with each other along the way!
Your combined health can make or break your trip
Be good to yourself and listen to your body and that one time you don’t seek the right medical attention! This is why you have insurance etc. and from our experience in Vietnam (motorbiking yikes!) sometimes you have to suck it up and go to the doctors. Without what ended up being £10 worth of antibiotics and wound dressings the 2 weeks left of our trip may have gone much differently!
Talk about money
Ash and I have always been very open when talking about money and we don’t particularly divide things exactly 50/50. We’ve found that a more relaxed approach thinking of ‘we’re together and it’ll even out eventually’ has worked for us, especially whilst travelling.
At the end of the trip we looked at what we had both spent (within our accounts) and sure enough it was about right…
If I was going to nit-pick over every extra drink he had and him over my extra snack then I don’t think we would even bother travelling together!
Experience something new together
When we travel we definitely decide on some big activities we want to do (usually for the first time) together. In Vietnam this was canyoning in Da Lat (amazing if you’re into adventure!). We make sure we know the main activities beforehand to ensure we factor them into our basic itinerary beforehand.
Recognise each others peaks and pits
Sometimes this is difficult to do with your partner but it is definitely something that you can acknowledge. For example Ash is amazing at planning, but can be indecisive on the day. This is something I know so I kind of allow for that, know the process he has to go through himself and then we carry on. It’s really just about knowing how your partner thinks and working with that rather than against it.
Some are pretty simple and some are a bit more deep to get stuck into… At the end of the day work with each other so that both of you can enjoy every moment of your time away and most of all have fun!
If you’ve got any top tips you want to share pop it in the comments and let me know where you’ve been or want to head to once we can travel world wide again.