If planning trips overwhelms you, this is your new weekly ritual!

Hey Bougie Reader,

If you’re drowning in life, work, kids, errands, family, the group chat, and that one bill that keeps popping up like it pays rent...then let me guess what happens when you think about travel…

You get excited for 2.5 seconds, start browsing, see a price, get overwhelmed, and then go right back to scrolling like, “I’ll do it later.”

And later… never shows up. 😩

So here’s the travel tip that changed everything for me. And no, it’s not “buy another planner” or “download a new app” or “be more disciplined.” Baby, we are grown. If discipline was enough, you’d already be on a beach somewhere drinking something with a fruit on the side.

This is about a simple system I call:

The Travel Focus Burst (15 minutes, once a week)

It’s exactly what it sounds like, a short, intense planning sprint that keeps you moving without turning travel into homework.

Why it’s a game-changer

Most people don’t take trips because they don’t have a plan. And they don’t have a plan because planning feels like a lot.

So instead of trying to plan the whole trip in one sitting (and burning out), you plan it in tiny bursts that add up fast.

Here’s how to do it

Set a timer for 15 minutes. That’s it. Not an hour. Not “when I have time.” Fifteen.

Then follow this exact order:

Step 1 (3 minutes): Pick the trip you’re working on​
Even if it’s just “Spring trip” or “Birthday getaway.” Give it a name in your notes app:
​Trip: ________ / Month: ________ / Vibe: ________

Step 2 (5 minutes): Choose ONE decision for today​
Only one. Don’t try to do everything. Choose one of these:

• check flight prices for 2 date options
• shortlist 3 hotels in your budget
• decide how much you’ll save weekly
• choose your travel dates
• research one activity or dinner spot

Step 3 (5 minutes): Write your next 2 steps​
Example:

• Next Focus Burst: pick hotel
• Next Focus Burst: book flight or start deposit

Step 4 (2 minutes): Put it on the calendar​
Schedule your next Focus Burst (same day every week). Because what gets scheduled gets done.

The twist (this is where the magic happens)

The Focus Burst only works if you do no distractions:

• phone on Do Not Disturb
• no social media browsing
• no random tabs
• no “let me clean up first” (that’s a trap)

You’re not planning a wedding. You’re planning a trip. We keep it moving. 😌

Your challenge: try this for ONE week

Pick one day this week (or make it your Sunday reset) and do one 15-minute Focus Burst.

Then hit reply and tell me what happened:

• what did you choose as your “one decision”?
• did it feel easier than you expected?
• what got in your way?

Because the truth is: your breakthrough might be one tiny system away.

Talk soon,
​Tay