As I write this it’s June and apparently everyone on the planet is planning to travel soon, if not sooner. The signs are everywhere including in the dramatically increased prices we’re seeing for air travel, gas, hotel space and all those other necessities we need in order to travel.

And if you’re in the thick of making travel plans, even though you haven’t asked for my advice, just like your mother I’m going to give it to you anyway. So, like it or not, here it is:

• unless you are prepared to stay home, stop complaining about the prices out there
• unless you are prepared to stand in long lines, endure wait lists for reservations you want/need, do not like meeting up with cranky people, and/or are not yet ready to fully exit your COVID cloud of privacy and face the crowds, well then, you’re probably not ready to travel just yet

Why do I say this?

As one that travels – a lot – I speak from experience. As much as I love to travel and do everything I can to support the industry that is my lively hood, it’s just not “pretty” out there right now. And judging from the frequent temper tantrums and general meltdowns we keep witnessing wherever there are, um, people, a lot of you just aren’t ready to face the reality of what lies ahead. That being, um, people. Lots and lots of them.

Many, most, have been cooped up and living in a bubble for quite a while now and just don’t care that during the retreat many travel businesses (hello, airlines!) and vacation spots (oh boy!) lost a lot of their staff and still haven’t been able to (or don’t want to?) hire them back. And what does that mean for you, the hopeful traveler just trying to escape reality and park your beach chair in the sand again?

No customer service. No bueno.

And again, I know I’m going to sound like your mother giving you advice you never ask for, but if you are not ready to face the confusion of flight changes, the disappointment of no room service, the lines – everywhere, oh the lines! – then maybe, possibly you might want to hold off on that dream vacation you’ve fantasized about during your recent couch travels and/or by watching countless episodes of House Hunters International. (Guilty.)

However, if you prefer to keep the dreams alive and continue your world explorations that must start RIGHT NOW, then do us all a favor and bring your own sunshine.

Also, a lot of patience and money, preferably in equal parts, but definitely bring that sunshine. I think we’ve all experienced the letdown of taking a trip that didn’t live up to our expectations, and just taking a guess here, but judging from the current frenzy of “book it, see it now before it’s too late!” there’s going to be a whole lot more of anticlimactic ending to your memoir about travel adventures during the summer of 2022.

So, if your motto is travel like it’s 2019 (!) you need to #planlikeits2022 because, yes, there’s that. It’s going to be a bit harder to get back on the bike this time. Some have even given the summer of 2022 travel a new label, #sobertravel, and in case you haven’t already guessed they are not referring to your alcohol intake.

#itsallaheadofyounow.