Okay so—you know that feeling when you're absolutely WIPED after traveling all day, you finally get to your hotel room, flop on the bed... and then just... stare at the ceiling for hours? Yeah, I've been there. Like, a LOT.
The whole "can't sleep in hotels" thing is seriously the worst. There's always something—weird shadows, random noises, that feeling that you're just not in your own bed. I've struggled with this forever, and honestly? So have most of my friends who travel.
Over the years, we've kind of collected these little hacks that actually make a difference. Not fancy stuff—just real, practical things that work. Let me share what's worked for us!
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Light is probably the biggest sleep-ruiner in hotels, right? Those curtains NEVER close all the way!
Hotel noise is THE WORST. People slamming doors at 2am, why???
Is it just me or are hotel rooms always either freezing or sweltering?
There's something about hotels that just feels... off, you know? Making the space feel more "you" can seriously help.
The thing is, you don't need to pack a ton of fancy stuff to sleep better in hotels. It's these small adjustments that make the biggest difference. Playing around with blocking light, controlling noise, getting the temperature right—it all adds up!
I'd love to know—do you struggle with hotel sleep too? Which of these tricks are you going to try next time? Or do you have some genius hack I haven't mentioned? I'm always looking to add to my travel sleep arsenal!
Q: Is it worth bringing my own pillow?
A: If you're driving? ABSOLUTELY. If flying, probably not unless you have serious neck issues. A pillowcase is the perfect compromise—takes up basically no space but gives you that "home" feeling.
Q: What about sleep medications?
A: I'm definitely not qualified to give medical advice! But personally, I try all these non-medication strategies first. If I know I'll be dealing with serious jet lag, I might talk to my doctor before the trip.
Q: Best budget-friendly white noise option?
A: Honestly? Your phone! There are tons of free white noise apps out there. Just make sure to keep your phone plugged in all night if you're using it for this.
Q: What's your #1 must-have hotel sleep item?
A: Probably a tie between binder clips for the curtains and my eye mask. If I had to pick just ONE thing to never travel without? The eye mask wins because it solves so many problems at once!
Hey there! So Teacher Appreciation Week is right around the corner (again!), and lemme tell ya - I've been through this rodeo before. Trying to find the perfect gift for teachers can be such a headache, right? Like, how many mugs with "World's Best Teacher" can one person own? 😂
I've been bugging all my teacher friends, my sister-in-law who teaches kindergarten, and basically anyone who's ever stood in front of a classroom to get the real scoop on what they actually want. Trust me, it's NOT another apple paperweight. So grab your drink of choice and let's dive into some gift ideas that'll make you the hero of appreciation week!
OK, I know this sounds super cheesy, but a handwritten note is seriously gold. My cousin Sarah (teaches high school English) has this folder she calls her "Rainy Day Stash" packed with notes from students and parents. She pulls 'em out whenever she's having one of those "why did I become a teacher?" days.
She told me about this one note from a mom talking about how Sarah's online classes were the only thing keeping her kid going during the pandemic. Sarah STILL gets emotional about it! "It's like a hug in paper form," she says.
Just don't half-ass it with a generic "thanks for teaching" - mention something specific they did that mattered to you or your kid. Like, "The way you explained fractions finally made it click for Jamie" hits WAY harder than some generic thank-you.
I used to think gift cards were kinda lame presents, but now? I'm a total convert. And teachers LOVE 'em. They're basically freedom in plastic form!
My buddy Mike (he teaches middle school math) scored a bunch of gift cards last year. Told me he used his Amazon one for some classroom stuff the school wouldn't pay for, hit up Starbucks for his daily caffeine fix, and even treated himself to that sci-fi book he'd been eyeing. "It's like a little high-five for all the overtime," he said.
Some solid gift card options:
Can't decide? Just grab a Visa gift card and let them go wild. You literally cannot go wrong here.
Let's talk snacks and sips! Teachers are ALL ABOUT consumables - stuff they can enjoy without it cluttering up their already packed classroom.
My sister-in-law Emma was telling me about this parent who brought her homemade lemon ginger tea last year. She'd never tried it before but now it's her absolute fave during winter. "It was such a sweet surprise," she said, "and way better than another mug I'd never use." No clutter, just deliciousness!
Speaking of teacher fuel, I actually wrote a whole blog post about Teacher Fuel: What's on Teacher's Breakfast Plate (or Not!) where I dive into the morning routines that keep educators going.
Some yummy ideas:
Just maybe check about allergies first? Nothing says "happy appreciation week" like an emergency room visit... yikes!
Wanna seriously impress? Get something that shows you've actually been listening. My friend Lisa (she teaches art) still talks about this tiny aloe plant a student gave her like five years ago. It's now basically taken over her living room.
"Every time I look at it, I think of that kid," she says. "It's like they left a piece of themselves with me." That's the kinda gift that keeps on giving long after the appreciation week decorations come down.
Some personalized winners:
Not sure what they like? Your kid probably knows! Children are basically little spies - use that intel!
And if you want to really nail the personal touch, paying attention to a teacher's style can make gift-giving so much easier. I've written about What Clothes Teachers Should Wear and What Should Teachers Wear in the Summer - both super helpful if you're thinking about going the clothing route for gifts (though I'd only recommend this for teachers you know well!).
Here's something most people don't realize - teachers spend TONS of their own money on classroom supplies. It's ridiculous, honestly.
My neighbor Tom (science teacher) is always complaining about how dry-erase markers vanish into thin air. Last year a parent hooked him up with this pack of colorful Flair pens. He literally told me, "I felt like a kid in a candy store. Finally didn't have to raid my own bank account!" Practical? Yes. Boring? Hell no.
Supply ideas that'll make 'em smile:
Pro tip: Check if they have an Amazon wishlist. Many teachers keep one for their classroom needs!
Another lifesaver? Comfortable shoes! I can't tell you how many teacher friends have thanked me for sharing my Teacher Shoes That Don't Hurt post. Standing all day is brutal on your feet, so supportive footwear makes an excellent appreciation gift too!
Let's get real for a sec. While all these gifts are great, what teachers REALLY want can't be wrapped up with a bow. My aunt taught for 30+ years, and she always said her favorite "gift" was having a class that actually participated.
"When the kids were engaged, I felt like a rockstar," she'd tell me. "That beat any present hands down." It's about feeling like what they do matters, ya know?
Some free but priceless gifts:
Oh, and organizing a group gift from the whole class? That's like the ultimate "we see you and appreciate you" move.
So there you have it - the inside scoop on what teachers actually want for Teacher Appreciation Week. Skip the cheesy mugs and go for something with impact! A heartfelt note, a gift card they'll actually use, something yummy, or a personal touch can make their whole week.
And remember, even just a genuine "thanks for not giving up on my kid" can mean the world to someone who spends their days shaping the future.
What's your go-to teacher gift? Drop a comment and share your ideas - I'm always looking to up my gift game! Now go forth and appreciate those amazing educators! They totally deserve it. ✏️🍎
Hey friend,
So I've been in this weird headspace lately. You know that feeling when you start thinking maybe—just maybe—you're gonna end up alone? Like, forever-alone alone? Not just a dry spell, but the whole "nobody's ever gonna love me long-term" thing.
It's not even self-pity at this point. It just feels like...facts. Hard, cold facts about my life that I gotta deal with somehow.
Maybe you've been there too? Looking in the mirror thinking, "Ugh, who would want this?" or "I'm not interesting/hot/successful enough for anyone to stick around." And then some well-meaning person hits you with the "Just be patient!" or "It happens when you stop looking!" and you're like... yeah, no. That might work for SOME people, but my situation feels different.
I've been chatting with friends who've gone through similar stuff, and honestly? It's helped. So I thought I'd share some real talk that actually made sense to me.
Here's something that blew my mind: That gut feeling that you'll always be alone? It's actually just a belief. Not a prophecy, not a fact—just a thought your brain keeps recycling.
Our minds are weird like that. Tell yourself something enough times and boom—your brain's like "yep, that checks out." Then you start seeing "evidence" everywhere. Someone doesn't text back? See, nobody likes you! Got rejected? Proof you're unlovable! Your brain's basically wearing doom-colored glasses.
The first tiny (but huge) shift is just catching yourself when that thought shows up. Like, "Oh, there's that 'forever alone' thought again." Don't have to fight it. Just notice it.
Not gonna lie, I rolled my eyes when people first told me this. But turns out, it's kinda true—if you don't vibe with yourself, it's pretty tough for others to vibe with you.
I'm not talking about that "you have to love yourself before anyone can love you" BS. Just basic stuff:
- Can you hang out with yourself without constantly checking your phone?
- Do you talk to yourself like you'd talk to a friend, or are you constantly being a jerk to yourself?
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Meditation
I was super skeptical, but damn. Just 10 minutes helps me see that my thoughts are just...thoughts? Not the ultimate truth about me or my future. When that voice says "You're gonna die alone," meditation helps me be like "lol thanks for that input, brain."
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Actual self-care
Not just face masks (though those are nice too). I mean eating decent food, moving my body in ways that don't feel like punishment, and doing stuff I genuinely enjoy instead of what I think makes me look cool.
Leveling up
Learning new things, getting better at stuff I care about. Not to impress anyone else, but because it feels good to grow.
Hot take: You can be lonely AF even in a relationship. And being single doesn't automatically mean you're miserable.
My most content friend told me something that stuck: "If you're waiting for a relationship to make your life worth living, you're gonna be waiting a long time."
Friends & community
Instead of thinking "why doesn't anyone want to be my friend?" try being interested in other people. Ask questions. Remember stuff they tell you. Show up. Join things where you might meet your kind of weirdos.
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Finding your thing
Helping others, volunteering, getting obsessed with something that matters to you. When you're lit up about something, people notice that energy.
This is the part that sucks. You go to events. You try to make friends. You put yourself out there. And sometimes... nothing. Crickets. Tumbleweeds.
The people who eventually find their people? They're the ones who kept showing up anyway. They felt awkward and rejected too, but they just... kept going.
Real talk—if these feelings are dragging you down to the point where you can barely function, or if you're dealing with serious depression or constant self-hate, please talk to someone professional. I fought it for years, but therapy helped me see patterns I couldn't spot on my own. It's not magic, but it helps.
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Look around. All kinds of people find connection. Quiet people. Loud people. Conventionally attractive people. Quirky-looking people. Smart people. People who think they're not smart enough.
Your worth isn't about checking off some list of qualities. You're worthy of connection just by existing.
Stop comparing your behind-the-scenes to everyone else's highlight reel. Focus on becoming YOUR best version, not someone else's. Practice enjoying your own company. Be kinder to yourself than your brain wants to be.
Some days will still be hard. I still have moments where I'm convinced I'll be alone forever. But focusing on what I can control TODAY—how I treat myself, staying present, finding little moments of joy—that makes all the difference.
Hang in there. For real.
-Me
P.S. Drop a comment if any of this resonated (or if you think I'm full of it). What's worked for you when you're in the "forever alone" spiral?
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