Istanbul Without a Suitcase
Five Nights, One City, and an Unscripted Start to the Year
#35
Happy New Year!
I sent out a short holiday email last week with a special reel, but for some reason it ended up in spam for many of you. My apologies. If you’d like to see the reel and my shortened message, please check your spam folder, or head over to my YouTube channel to watch the reel there.
Last week held contrast — a challenging stretch paired with one truly incredible day. And honestly, this is life. I receive daily quotes from Abraham-Hicks, and one reminder always stands out: contrast is part of the journey. It gives us the opportunity to grow, to choose again, to own our power as creators, and to keep aligning with the next adventure we want to experience.
As a recovering perfectionist, I once believed that if life were lived “right,” things would always go my way — smoothly, predictably, exactly as planned. Travel has been one of my greatest teachers in gently undoing that belief.
I share this because from the outside, a life of travel can look perfect. Ideal. Something you shouldn’t complain about. And yet, travel can be deeply taxing. It’s constant movement, new beds, lost luggage, getting sick, all while navigating unfamiliar places.
So while we were celebrating the turn of the New Year in Istanbul, I spent the entire stay without my luggage.
I always travel with a backpack that holds my essentials — vitamins, laptop, a small makeup bag, and all documents — but everything else was in my one suitcase. And without it, life felt far more stressful than I expected.
Tim and I often talk about our “less is more” philosophy. We remind ourselves that things can be replaced. As long as we have our health (and our passports — ha!), everything else is figureoutable. But by this point in the journey, I am tired. And the last thing I wanted to do at the end of a long trip was buy more things just to get through the next few days.
My bag was apparently stuck in Barcelona. For five nights in Istanbul, I did what I could — buying just enough to stay warm, trying not to overbuy knowing I’d have to get everything home soon. The stress caught up with me, and without my first-aid kit and immune boosters (also in the suitcase), I got sick.
New Year’s Eve was spent in bed, sleeping most of the day. Tim caught the cold too, though thankfully he’s nearly recovered now.
After a good cry one morning, I shifted into one-step-at-a-time mode. I re-wore the same sweatsuit I bought instead of buying more clothes, washed the same few essentials repeatedly, and reminded myself that this was temporary. And in the end, my suitcase showed up one hour before we left Istanbul for our next destination.
Sometimes timing has a sense of humor.
Despite all of this, the absolute highlight of the week was our private tour of Istanbul with a local guide, just before I got sick. The last time I was here, I was 18 years old, visiting for a single day on a cruise ship. Seeing the city now — older, slower, more present — was a completely different experience.
We visited the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern (my favorite), the Grand Bazaar, enjoyed lunch at a local spot, and then came the pièce de résistance: I bought the one and only souvenir of the entire trip — a beautiful Turkish rug for my new apartment in Texas.
Tim said the smile on my face was priceless, and I was so happy!! I can’t wait to see it on the floor and relive those memories together for years to come.
Our hotel was perfectly located near all of these sites, making it easy to walk everywhere — through the Grand Bazaar again, to nearby restaurants, and simply into the rhythm of the city. With a population of around twenty million, Istanbul is alive and thriving. One of the most soul-filling moments for me was hearing the call to prayer echo across the city multiple times a day. Though I don’t practice a specific religion, I deeply respect anything that invites connection, grounding, and devotion to something greater.
After our time in Istanbul, we took a short flight south to Antalya, often called the Turkish Riviera. It’s off-season and cooler now, but we chose an all-inclusive hotel for this final stop before I head off the road. There’s a gym, sauna, a pool for Tim, and the ocean sits just across the street — perfect for long walks and quiet moments.
I’ve been reading more during this journey too. The standout was The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown, and I have one final book waiting in my bag before this chapter wraps.
Another exciting moment this week? Buying the first round of furniture for the new apartment — all sight unseen. I haven’t walked through the apartment, sat on any of the furniture, or even been there yet. Still, the idea of having my own place again — one I’m excited to share with Tim — fills me with joy beyond measure. I can’t wait.
There are more Turkey videos up on the travel channel if you’d like to explore along with me. And next week, I’ll be sharing my word of the year and why it feels so aligned. I’ve also been tracking more detailed travel stats and budget reflections which I’ll share in upcoming posts.
As you begin this New Year, may you harvest the growth 2025 brought you, release what no longer serves, and gently turn your energy towards what you’re ready to create next. You are a powerful creator beyond measure.
Much love and many blessings. 💛
To your highest and best,
Dianna
P.S. If you’d like to see more of these moments — balconies over the sea, arriving into ports, and the quiet magic in between — I’ve been sharing longer, slower travel videos on YouTube. They’re a different way to experience the journey, and you’re always welcome there, too.
💌 Love this story? Want more like it — straight to your inbox?
Join the Travels With Spirit newsletter for soulful travel, personal growth, and freedom-filled inspiration.
Something stirred in you while reading?
This is your invitation to explore what’s next — with clarity, courage, and one aligned step forward.