💻✈️ Big mistake?

Here's my latest dilemma...

So recently, I wrote about our budding relationship in You Had Me at ‘Subscribed.’ I mentioned this newsletter gig is a marathon, not a sprint. Well, as I gear up for my trip to Morocco, I’m grappling with a question that's keeping me up at night:

Do I take the laptop?

On one hand, the notion of leaving my laptop behind for three weeks seems as challenging as surviving a summer in Austin without air conditioning. What if an unexpected emergency comes up? Or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lands in my inbox, and I miss it because I'm too busy haggling over the price of a leather pouf?

The truth is, I'm torn. Part of me longs for the romantic notion of leaving my laptop behind and fully embracing the spirit of adventure and spontaneity. But another part of me recognizes that my laptop is more than just a device; it's a lifeline to my work, creative projects, and future income. I’m networking and applying for copywriting jobs while I’m getting this newsletter off the ground.

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm in a phase of my life where my writing career is a crucial part of my identity, and the thought of completely detaching from it, even for a short while, feels as daunting as trying to navigate the streets of Marrakech without a map.

I think part of my hesitation comes from the fear of losing momentum. I've worked so hard to create a consistent writing routine, to show up every week and deliver something worth reading. What if this break derails all my progress? 

What if I come back and find myself staring at a blinking cursor, with my muse still sipping mint tea in a cozy cafe in Fes, questioning my life choices and Texas zip code?

But here's the kicker: even if I do bring my laptop, I know it’ll still take me a week or two to fully get back into my writing groove after this trip. It's like my brain will be haggling for the best deal on a vintage carpet while my body is back at my desk, trying to remember how to form coherent sentences. 

And that's okay. It's all part of the creative process, the ebb and flow of inspiration and productivity. I'm learning to give myself grace and accept that sometimes, the most important thing we can do for our creativity is to step away and let ourselves recharge, even if we can't completely disconnect.

So I’m curious what you would do. 

Would you bring your laptop to Morocco, knowing that it may provide a sense of security and connection to your work, even if you don't use it every day? Or would you leave it behind so you can immerse yourself in the experience and trust that everything will be just fine, even if something slips through the cracks?

How do you manage the work-travel balance? Or find your way back to your creative flow after a break? I’d love to hear your wisdom and insights in the comments below or just hit reply to this email.

And if you have any recommendations for must-see spots in Morocco, I'm all ears. Just don't be surprised if I come back with a suitcase full of spices and a head full of stories to share. 😂

So until next time (Morocco laptop status still unknown),

Jen

P.S. If You Had Me at ‘Subscribed’ slipped under your radar, take a moment to catch up here. It's a gentle nudge that, whether I'm typing away on my laptop or scribbling in a Moroccan-bought notebook, this newsletter trek is a beautifully chaotic, serendipitous journey, and I couldn't imagine exploring it without you.