Earlier in our marriage, traveling and being separated was a big deal.  Well, it was a bigger deal for Mandy.

It used to cause great anxiety and tension in our marriage.

We both recently went on separate trips in the same week and this time we had no anxiety whatsoever.

So, what changed?

Find out on the latest Marriage More podcast.

Jeff just went on a quick trip to Nashville for a live event for Michael Hyatt‘s, Will It Fly?, book launch… And Mandy just got back from Austin, Texas for a live podcasting of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey.

Whew. We really are not nomads, but love taking part in our friends big events!

While we may have just got back from a few quick trips, we have not always felt the freedom to travel and be part of things outside our home and family unit.  It’s been a learning process of how and what it means to “check in” while away and how to set expectations so our relationship doesn’t well, “fly off the handle” when we are apart, even if it be for good reasons…

Here’s what we’ve learned over the years about making travel, whether for work or play, be a good thing:

Stay in communication.  Mandy is a worry girl. Plain and simple. The worst possible thing that could go wrong, well, she’s got that and more all mapped out in her head.  So just hearing that all is safe and ok? Eases a lot of the anxiety.

Likewise, if your love language is words of affirmation, even when your spouse is away, you can work towards filling up that love tank with a phone call… because handling little ones at home while it may seem like your spouse is off having a vacation away can be a bit overwhelming.

How can you stay in communication while apart? A simple text that you’ve arrived safely or a quick call to tell you that you’re headed to dinner but would love to chat once you’re back in the hotel after goes a long ways.

Set the expectation upfront. Whether it’s going to be a few jam-packed days that there’s really no time for texting, or you want to have a set call at certain times during the day, have the expectation of what the schedule for each day apart will be like.

Rather than getting calls from your wife at home where the little ones are begging for hot dogs and a whole anthem of frustration coming out because you’re unavailable when she really needs some sanity – get on the same page before it’s too late.

How can you set the expectations upfront?? Just review what both your schedules will be like during the days away.  Easy.

 

Be sure to check out our show to hear more of the ways we keep our anxiety levels low during trips without each other!

Have other ways that you and your spouse have found to reduce the anxiety when traveling apart? Comment below, we’d love to hear ’em!

 

LINKS FROM THE PODCAST

Meet Michael Hyatt, the author of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, the co-author of the forthcoming book, Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want (Baker Books) and is the founder of 5 Days to Your Best Year Ever and Get Published. He’s been blogging here since 2004.

Influence Conference where Mandy met Jamie  – Jamie is the women behind an incredible blog and weekly podcast show, The Happy Hour.  She’s also the momma of four kids, wife to Aaron and loves reading, date nights, adoption, Jesus, Mexican food, and traveling.  Now you see why Mandy and Jamie became BFFs?!

Jamie’s Podcast #69 featuring Mandy’s Happy Hour Interview

Jen Hatmaker is the author of a few books that if you haven’t read yet, you better get started! She’s the momma of five kids, now middle schoolers, pastor’s wife and if you don’t follow her on Facebook, you really are missing a good daily laugh usually related to the crazy of #raisingmiddleschoolers.

Jessica Honegger, Noonday Jewelry – Happy shopping ladies!

Get a mental picture of the struggle that was, the IKEA shelf Mandy spend hours putting together.

Discover your love languages for yourself, your spouse of even your child here with The 5 Love Languages quiz.