The Airport Lounge Is Part Of the Trip
They say it’s the little things in life but sometimes the little luxuries go a longggg way. I haven’t always been an airport lounge girlie but once I dipped my toe in that pond TRUST me when I say… I haven’t looked back.
There is just something so delightful about popping into the lounge before a flight. It’s a little quieter, you’re not fighting for a seat or an outlet to charge your devices and free food and drinks. I don’t care HOW old you are free food and drinks will always hit different. Also I’m not embarrassed to say a private bathroom is the holy grail. I’m a resident tummy ache queen so knowing I can have some privacy if needed makes my entire travel day less stressful and frankly enjoyable. Period, end of story.
Over the years I have become friends with the bartender in the Phoenix centurion lounge (S/O Medhi!!!). It is seriously my favorite thing in the world when he’s working because I’m treated like a damn QUEEEEN. Which is also so comical to observe the old white men during these interactions. They always seem so perplexed that little ole me knows this bartender and why does SHE get brand new bottles of veuve popped. One word: kindness and ngl a side of consistency always helps.
And honestly, THAT is the part I love most about it.
Sure, the free champagne is fabulous. I will never turn down a tiny plate of food I didn’t pay for. And having an outlet readily available when my phone is naturally sitting at 14% is its own form of luxury. But somewhere along the way, the airport lounge became more than just a perk of traveling for me. It became part of the ritual.
The trip doesn’t start when the plane takes off anymore. It starts when I sit down, order a drink, pull out my iPad or scroll mindlessly on Pinterest and have that little moment of okay, we’re going somewhere.
And I think there really is something to be said for that.
We spend sooooo much of life rushing through the in-between parts because we’re focused on getting to the “thing”. The destination. The dinner reservation. The vacation. The big moment. But what if the in-between could be part of the fun too?
Maybe your version isn’t an airport lounge and a suspiciously generous pour of Veuve #hairflip Maybe it’s buying the overpriced coffee before your flight. Maybe it’s always getting a physical magazine at the airport bookstore. Maybe it’s showing up early enough to have a cocktail with zero sense of urgency (but be sure to set an alarm #iykyk).
Whatever it is, find the little ritual that makes the ordinary part feel special.
Life is made up of a hell of a lot more in-between moments than big ones. Might as well make those colorful too.
