As I near the end of (another) 2 week assignment out in the field and away from home, I’d like to share some random (and maybe odd) things I have found myself accomplishing whilst stuck in a hotel room.

Outside of my previous post on getting your sweat on during travel, here are a few other ideas:

Update Your Playlists
How many times do you silently curse yourself during a super intense workout when some slow song on your ipod ruins your groove?  Sooo many times do I promise myself that I’ll update my tunes (why do I still have My Chemical Romance in my mix???), but rarely do I take the time to sit down and do it.  Using your existing songs, create and organize a few playlists so that shuffle doesn’t do you wrong!  Of course, if you have the means and desire to purchase updated music, do that too!  And, if you’re like me and have spotify but NEVER use it, log on and update those playlists!  This may also be the perfect opportunity to find new songs and artists.  When music can drive your mood and set the scene, why risk it?

Clean Your Makeup Brushes
This may seem completely random, but when was the last time you actually cleaned the brushes you use on your face every single day?  The buildup of your powders and cremes, plus the bacteria from your makeup bag, counters, and face create quite a formula to be applying to your face each morning.  Destroy the residue by simply mixing shampoo and warm water in a cup and soaking your brushes.  Swirl them around and replace the water/shampoo mix until the water is almost clear (you’ll be surprised how much makeup comes out of your brushes!!).  FInally, rinse them with water only and then wrap carefully into a towel to dry overnight.  Don’t forget to be gentle and don’t mash your brushes… you want to clean them, not deform them!

Read a Good Book
It seems so hard to find time these days to read for FUN.  However, I take advantage of my hotel downtime by picking up a new book on my list.  It’s like going on an adventure or learning something new from your very bed!  It makes it easier to relax and fall asleep, too.  Right now I’m reading Give and Take by Adam Grant.  It’s awesome!

Make Lists
Okay, I know what you’re thinking.  Make a list?  I do that all day at work – you want me to write down MORE things I need to do??  The answer is yes… kind of.  Take this time away from the distractions of your day-to-day routine to reflect and list down your goals.  This is a great time to press the pause button and see a screenshot of your life.  List down everything you love, you hate, you want to accomplish, you want to improve on.  It’s good for the soul!  And it can really motivate you to return home feeling refreshed and with a new sense of purpose and direction.

Those are just a few ideas and things I have actually done, and it makes you feel a little less “trapped.”  Please add to my list of things you’ve been able to accomplish in your nighttime hotel hours!