We just returned from an amazing trip to Canada where Matt (my hubby) spoke at a marketing event.
All trips have highs and lows, right? This one was no different. Anyone that has ever traveled with their spouse to an event or on business knows how emotionally taxing it is not only individually but for the relationship as well. It’s not just the travel or the out of the country experience. It’s also not just the lack of sleep and uncertainty of being in a new environment – you have to be on your A-game, all day every day. If you do not go into the trip setting your intentions it can get a little shaky at times.
Traveling with Matt is fun and exciting. We love traveling together. This event was all about ecommerce. I decided to make a conscious effort to make this trip about him. Especially because he was speaking and delivering a speech can put you on a roller coaster of uncertainty and self doubt. He needed me to just be there and support him with this endeavor. He needed me to be the giver this week and not need much in return.
Did I execute this flawlessly? Um… not really. I was good, but not perfect. ha!
We are “me” people, right? How does this effect me, make me feel, and so on. There were many times this week I had to stop, breathe, and say, “it’s not about me.” Like when I had to sit in the lobby for an hour while he ran through his script in our room.
As the wife of an entrepreneur you have to be willing to be “them” focused. This will happen many times during the journey. It’s not that you are not important or that your feelings aren’t valid but when they are putting themselves out there to be judged and critiqued they need a special kind of support. You are their safe place.
Trep Wife Life Tip: (try to say that five times fast Ha!)
Make sure you take care of yourself before a trip and during. Read books, meditate, go for walks, go to the spa, take long showers, pray, have sex, do something that fills your soul and your love tank. When someone needs a lot from you it pulls from your energy. You must make sure you are running on a full tank to be able to wrap yourself around everything.
In the larger scheme of things none of what was needed from me was a big deal, but at the moment it felt very one sided. This morning as I write about those moments. it feels so worth it.
Although I love stepping out of my comfort zone, traveling, meeting new people, making new business connections, and learning new things, it is mentally draining. I wanted to be the supportive loving,smiling wife. At times though I felt outside of myself. I would stand there or follow him around from person to person smiling and being what I new Matt needed me to be. This is all great, but it can numb you a little. Don’t get me wrong we had a blast and I met some amazingly talented people who I know I will stay in touch with for a long time.
Although the intention was to be focused on him I received some great messages and made some awesome friends in the process.
We were there for a reason. Matt and I have a mantra when traveling. We say we are either there to hear a message or give a message and sometimes both. Going into it we knew to be open and to set our intentions. It was an experience that will not soon be forgotten.
The best part?
The most amazing part of the entire trip was watching my husband deliver his talk. Many years ago Matt came to me and said, “I will be speaking on stage one day.” I thought, okay cool. Not really able to see how this was going to evolve and come to life. Fast forward to today and over the past couples years he has spoken all over the world. But this one was different, I was in the room, and it was a talk he had not ever given before. I got the privilege to see how people received him and his message. He was doing it, he was being the person he has worked so hard to become. It was surreal and I was full of emotion and was extremely proud. I was so emotional that when we went back up to the room after he spoke I cried. Not just tear up and shed a tear, I cried like a baby. This is also why when Matt is on stage he bans me to the back of the room. I’m a proud wife and seeing him living his dream makes me cry, which makes him cry… LOL So no front row for this girl.
There are many examples I can give of things that we dreamed of in the beginning of our journey that have come to life. We have envisioned and spoke about our dreams, put action behind our thoughts and words and today we stand together making it happen, changing lives and living our life on purpose.
Although this trip was not without it’s bumps, I’m so thankful for another travel experience with my love.
