The Best Ways to Pass The Time ON A LONG FLIGHT
PC: Pinterest
Please, tell me I’m not the only one that loves flying?
I meet so many people that absolutely despise being in the air, or simply see it as the-thing-they-have-to-go-through-to-get-to-their-destination. Does anybody, anybody at all, just adore being on planes? Hello?
I get it if you have a fear of flying - that’s some thing I absolutely cannot help you with. But if your complaints of being on the plane ring closer to reasons of boredom, then I have some tips for you.
I’m on a plane at least 6-10 times a year, and I enjoy the travel there just as much as the destination. It thrills me to pack up my things, slip into a comfy travel outfit, and go through security. Once I’m in my personal little cubicle, the big fun really begins. Before I know it, we’re already landing the plane and we are there.
And the best part? I hardly ever even watch any movies.
The way I see it? Who even has time to watch anything on a flight??!! I know that sounds crazy and it’s not for all, which I completely understand. I’m just here to present to you x other things you can do on a plane to make the time go by faster.
First 1-2 Hours: Close your eyes, listen to music
You just spent the last 3-4 hours rushing, stressing, and on high alert. Your mind was racing with thoughts like “did I pack everything??” “Will there be traffic to the airport?” “Will I make my plane on time??”. You rushed through security, you bought a last minute gift, and you squeezed in a quick bathroom run. Now that you’re on the plane, everything is officially out of your control, and you can relax. Allow your mind an hour to two to decompress and come back down. This is the perfect time to play your favorite tunes (highly recommend downloading a couple of albums you’ve been meaning to listen to), stare out the window and marvel over the clouds. Simply, let your mind be, it needs to relax much more than you might think. If you doze off into a restful sleep, even better.
3- 4 Hours In: Begin Journaling
There is a special version of myself that I meet every time I’m up in the clouds. We can only ever meet at that one spot - in an airplane window seat. The feelings this person feels, the thoughts that run through her mind, all contain a bit of heavenly magic that can only be accessed in that altitude. And for that reason, I journal every time I’m flying through clouds. Order a glass of wine if it helps get your creative juices flowing. If you’re new to journaling and need a few prompts to get you going, try the following:
What situation did you just leave behind?
What do you hope to discover in this new town?
Do a quick analyzation of life: where are you, what’s left to achieve, are you happy?
Who are the people enriching your life currently and how?
What are some short-term goals?
5-6 Hours In: Turn to Entertainment
This is when you get to pull out your book or put on a movie. Personally, I don’t love screen time on the plane so I turn to a book. If there’s a couple of movies listed that you’ve been dying to see, then go ahead and hit play. I truly feel like the way your mind absorbs information while on a flight is just different. Somehow, transporting yourself from one time zone to another just does something to your mind. To start, you’re much more easily inspired. You can fantasize that whatever happy ending there was in the movie might magically occur at your destination. Whereas if you’re watching the same movie at home, it’s less likely to believe something miracle could happen in your everyday routine.
7-8 Hours In: Meditate, Nap, or Daydream
You’ve just journaled, you absorbed some exciting stories, and now your mind is feeling refreshed with motivation and excitement. Now it’s time to seal it down through a meditation, a nap, or a daydream. This lets the mind solidify all those exciting new feelings and engrain it deeper into the soul. For those of you that find it easy falling asleep on the plane, go ahead and snooze it out. For the rest of you, try to meditate for at least 20 minutes. If you’re new to meditation, you can download the oak app for guided breathing techniques. If you’d rather actively think through your new plans, then pop those headphones back in, stare out the window and daydream. Exercise visualization and increase your chances of making your dreams come true. Really let your ambitions become a fire in your stomach.
8 Hours and Onwards: Get Some Work Done
This is the point in which things start to drag, I’ll admit. If you can’t stand it anymore and must watch another movie, go ahead. Or if you watched a movie in hour 5, try a book this time and vice versa. I personally like to take this time to (finally) do something productive in terms of work. I am NOT the person who can just hop on a plane and immediately start doing business. No, I need those HOURS to fully treat my mind and soul. Once that has been satisfied, I’ll more happily pull out my laptop and chunk out some work. Typically I’ve prepared all important things so that I can work offline should the flight not have wifi. And being able to work without needing to commit to being online for your clients/coworkers feels truly amazing.
If I was able to do all 5 things on a plane, then I leave it feeling completely restored and refreshed. I was being productive both mentally and financially, and I land happily prepared for the adventure to come.
