There’s something about the ocean that reminds me of motherhood and travel days. Wild, unpredictable, beautiful, and healing all at once.
Before a trip, the energy in our home is nothing short of chaotic. Packing lists, forgotten chargers, laundry that suddenly multiplies, and last-minute errands that somehow take hours. The mental load is heavy. It’s not just what goes in the suitcase. It’s all the invisible planning, remembering, and anticipating that comes with being a mom preparing for vacation.
And then comes the travel day. Very early morning wake ups, off to the airport, long TSA lines, bathroom stops, tired teens and adults, big emotions, and that nagging thought that maybe we forgot something important. It’s exhausting. You feel like a charging cord that’s been yanked from the wall mid download.
But then you arrive.
You open the door, drop the bags, step outside, and suddenly, there’s the ocean.
The sound of waves crashing and pulling back again.
The smell of salt and sunscreen.
The way the light dances on the water.
And the quiet miracle of witnessing your kids laugh together, and just… be.
In that moment, I feel it.
I’m plugged back in.
My nervous system, frazzled and overextended, begins to slow down.
The rhythm of the waves starts syncing with my breath.
Watching the sunrise with Starbucks in hand, or the sunset with a little salt still in my hair, it’s like nature is whispering, “You can Exhale.”
The ocean reminds me that it’s okay to be both. Chaotic and calm.
It’s okay to feel everything. The overwhelm of getting there and the pure joy of arrival.
It’s okay to be tired and still so grateful.
So if you’re prepping for a trip right now, mama, give yourself some grace.
It’s supposed to feel messy.
It’s supposed to feel like you’re packing the entire house.
And yes, travel days might stretch you thin…
But you’ll get there.
And when you do, it will all be worth it.
Because just like the tide, you always return to center.
Nikki Lanigan
Nikki Lanigan is a yoga, HIIT, and Barre instructor, she is also a Holistic Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Nikki is trained in Yoga Shred, Yoga Psychology, meditation, chakra balancing, and EFT/Tapping. She has done trainings with Sadie Nardini and Ashley Turner. She got her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017 at the Carrie Treister School Of Yoga. Nikki takes a holistic view of health, helping her students and clients reach a place of self-love not just through movement, but with mindset and lifestyle guidance as well. Nikki is also show prep writer for The McVay Media Show Prep and host of the podcast Fit, Fun, and Frazzled. Connect with Nikki on Instagram. www.instagram.com/nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness www.instagram.com/fitfunandfrazzledpodcast
