Isn’t it funny the little things that create our comfort, that we just can’t live without.

Chatting with friends recently, we were talking about travel. 

Some of them commented that they miss it terribly at the moment. I personally am loving having a year not getting on an international flight. I don’t have to think in terms of suitcases, what fits, what’s the weight and holy crap where will I put that? I don’t have to think about what season it might be when I get there. I don’t have to plan the carry on for the girls – snacks, activities, PJs, change of clothes and surprises for the flight. I am loving this grounding we’ve been handed, as much as I am desperate to see my dad that aside, I’m good 🙂

As we were chatting though, one friend asked me, you’ve traveled a lot… what’s your one thing you can’t live without?

I answered the normal well frankly, there isn’t a lot you need. Your documentation, passport and so on. Your medication, if you’re taking any, which for me now includes an aspirin for the flight to prevent blood clots (when did I become this old lady!?!). A warm jacket just in case and your favourite, comfy shoes. The rest you can figure out.

But then I realised there is one thing. There is something I cannot go without… 

My hot lemon drink in the morning. I know how crazy this sounds, but I need to wake up and have the juice of a lemon freshly squeezed into hot water. We started having this in the morning when living in Delhi, hubby read an article about the health benefits of having hot lemon before eating anything. And we’ve been doing it ever since.

Since then, when I travel I always take my own lemons with me (especially if staying in a hotel), my mini chopping board and my travel knife (in my suitcase, not my hand luggage). 

I can suffer through a bad cup of tea. I can make do with hotel creams and shampoo, even the crappy hair dryer that hotels always have. But I have to have my lemons with me. 

I’m sure when my friend asked me the question she was expecting something a little more profound. But I’m a simple girl, with simple tastes. So long as I can kickstart my morning with my hot lemon drink, I’m happy.

What’s your one thing? What can’t you live without?