I could probably have an entire column here called “things I learned from Melody, my college roommate.” Melody is one of those rare people who just seemed to know that life’s experiences are better when you are in balance. Her advice has turned out to be so practical and soul-nourishing that I think about her little sayings a lot.
Gems like:
- Relationships: “For every argument or bad experience you have as a couple, you need 5 good experiences.”
- Time management: “Getting into a good routine is everything.”
- Cleaning: “Put this stuff on the carpet, and it will smell nice.”
Then there’s today’s topic: Travel. I don’t know about you, but before I leave to go somewhere, I usually get that pre-trip adrenaline rush. I’m packing, running errands, researching my destination, charging batteries, and generally running around excited, but a bit frazzled.
I have distinct memories of college dorm life where I would be frantically trying to find things to shove into my suitcase and looking over at Melody, serenely fluffing her pillows. Usually while humming. (I’m pretty sure you don’t get a name like “Melody” without being prone to humming.)
On my side of the room, I am tearing through a giant pile of books and papers looking for airline tickets, and there’s Melody, gently using her pink feather duster on her fairy figurines.
Now, I can’t say that she didn’t ever have to rush to board a plane (we were college students, not nuns after all), but she knew something then which has taken me a long time to figure out: cleaning up your place before you go somewhere is a really lovely gift to give yourself. She knew she was going to get back, exhausted, maybe secretly wishing she was still on vacation. There’s nothing worse than opening the front door and finding piles of laundry, bills, and stuff to be put away. Instead, Melody came home to a freshly laundered robe, clean linens, and… serenity.
Melody once visited me and cleaned up my apartment before she left. This is the person you want as your friend for life, people.
I don’t always pull this off, but I really try to be more Melody than old-Kelly when I travel. (Thank goodness my cleaning and organization have improved since then!) Next week, we are going on a mini-vacation, and as soon as we booked the hotel, I wrote a list of things to do before we left. I’ve been dropping things off at goodwill, catching up on chores, going through the mending basket, and simplifying as much as possible. I think Melody would be proud. I’ve thought about her with each load of laundry I’ve folded. The bonus? I am as much looking forward to the trip as I am to returning to a cleaner, lighter home.
So ‘fess up! Who’s a Melody out there? And who is still crazy-Kelly? Do you have any pre-trip rituals that help keep you sane?
