My trip to Europe started out with a series of re-booked and delayed flights, lost luggage, and beautiful window seat views flying over the alps! 

Once arriving in Vienna, Austria, a few of us took a quick day trip to Bratislava, Slovakia before getting started with our training for the conference.

Check out the video in the post, and make sure to subscribe to my channel!

I had my first lost luggage experience on my way to Austria this summer. After many international (and domestic) trips the past several years, I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner.

Luckily the bag arrived to my hotel the day after I got there, but was still an inconvenience!

If you're met with the unfortunate lost bag scenario when traveling, here's what to do!

A lot of people will tell you about all the benefits and happily-ever-afters you'll find once you achieve your goals. (I'm sure I've sent some emails and blog posts on that topic too.)

The thing is, the challenges - the work - are often left out.

Getting there isn't always as glamorous as sipping mojitos on the beach, or being able to wake up every day without setting an alarm.

Sometimes you have an idea, travel-related or not, that gets you excited. Passion is pumping through your veins and you're on your way toward your big dream.

But it gets tough. Or overwhelming. Or leaves you thinking, "Will I ever get there??"

...or maybe all of the above.

There are a few difficult stages we move through when working toward big goals, but if we recognize these, we can keep our motivation up and continue going after it.

They say nothing worth having is ever easy, and...well, it's true. 

When you get there, though? It feels pretty great, and who knows - maybe you'll actually end up sipping a mojito on the beach.

I've made more of a point to pack smarter: not just lighter and not just cramming everything in, but more organized too!

In this post I share my experience using packing cubes for the first time during a three week trip to Europe.