Just about every woman I know who travels a lot, whether for business or personal, at some point in time has a 'jewelry dilemma' that changes her jewelry travel habits forever.
A friend just asked for tips on how to let go of the horrible feeling after losing jewelry on a trip. She travels globally for business and was on her way back to the US when she put her earrings in a tissue and placed it inside her coat pocket during the flight home. And, given this was not her usual travel habit, when she got home she cleaned her pockets and put the tissue in the trash. How terrible she must be feeling!
Ironically, I just went through the same thing. I was saving this story for my last Exploring Ireland post, but I'll share now ...
While in Ireland, I made a point to stop in the Thomas Dillon store in Galway to buy a silver Claddagh ring. They are the original makers of the Claddagh ring and the oldest jeweler in Ireland. Established in 1750, this is their only shop & their rings are officially stamped "Original" with a hallmark by the Irish Assay Office located in Dublin Castle. (See my first post on Ireland for photos of Dublin Castle.) The Claddagh Ring is worn as a token of friendship, love, or even as an engagement or wedding ring. The heart symbolizes love; the hands = friendship, and the crown = loyalty.
I treasured this ring and wore it daily.
Here are the specifics around the wearing of the ring:
1. when it's worn on the right ring finger with the heart pointing out, the person is free of any romantic attachment;
2. when worn on the right ring finger with the heart pointing in, the person is romantically involved;
3. when worn on the left ring finger, the person is engaged or married.
However ...
I recently began working in a new office. As such, my daily habits were off a bit. And one day, I lost my ring. The last I remember, I had placed it on my desk. I don't know what happened to it. Did I knock it off & the cleaning crew swept it up? Did I mistakenly through it in the trash with tissues (I was nursing a terrible cold). I don't know. I was so upset.
What I do know is that it took me a good two weeks to let it go. My saving grace, unlike that of my friend mentioned above, is I simply need to wait for a cheap flight to Shannon and take a weekend trip to Ireland. I'll be able to replace my ring, plus drive further north than I was able to get last spring.
Traveling with jewelry.
I used to travel with my good jewelry, and jewelry to match every outfit. Then I had all of it stolen from my suitcase in a hotel while at a business conference. I was distraught. Some of the jewelry were very special gifts that had been custom designed for me. The only way I was able to 'let it go', was to continuously remind myself that they were just things and the memories attached to them would always be with me. It took a while, but it finally worked.
I did learn my lesson though. Now, my jewelry travel habit is this:
- I only travel with costume jewelry, and nothing expensive.
- I try to take only what I wear on the plane ... 1 pair of earrings, 1 necklace or bracelet, 1 ring. And I make sure they match all outfits, and that they do not set off the airport security screeners.
- If I need to take a few more pieces of jewelry, I carry them either in a ziplock baggie in my purse or in a small jewelry pouch in my briefcase.
- When I take my jewelry off, even if I'll put it back on in a few hours, I always put it in the baggie or pouch.
It's all about being intentional in our travel habit.
And remembering that they are just 'things.'
A friend just asked for tips on how to let go of the horrible feeling after losing jewelry on a trip. She travels globally for business and was on her way back to the US when she put her earrings in a tissue and placed it inside her coat pocket during the flight home. And, given this was not her usual travel habit, when she got home she cleaned her pockets and put the tissue in the trash. How terrible she must be feeling!
Ironically, I just went through the same thing. I was saving this story for my last Exploring Ireland post, but I'll share now ...
While in Ireland, I made a point to stop in the Thomas Dillon store in Galway to buy a silver Claddagh ring. They are the original makers of the Claddagh ring and the oldest jeweler in Ireland. Established in 1750, this is their only shop & their rings are officially stamped "Original" with a hallmark by the Irish Assay Office located in Dublin Castle. (See my first post on Ireland for photos of Dublin Castle.) The Claddagh Ring is worn as a token of friendship, love, or even as an engagement or wedding ring. The heart symbolizes love; the hands = friendship, and the crown = loyalty.
I treasured this ring and wore it daily.
On my last night in Ireland, a very special night, a woman told me that if you're taken, you wear the ring with the heart facing you. If you're not in a relationship, you wear it with the heart facing out. This way, potential suitors know if you're available. Very sweet.
Here are the specifics around the wearing of the ring:
1. when it's worn on the right ring finger with the heart pointing out, the person is free of any romantic attachment;
2. when worn on the right ring finger with the heart pointing in, the person is romantically involved;
3. when worn on the left ring finger, the person is engaged or married.
However ...
I recently began working in a new office. As such, my daily habits were off a bit. And one day, I lost my ring. The last I remember, I had placed it on my desk. I don't know what happened to it. Did I knock it off & the cleaning crew swept it up? Did I mistakenly through it in the trash with tissues (I was nursing a terrible cold). I don't know. I was so upset.
What I do know is that it took me a good two weeks to let it go. My saving grace, unlike that of my friend mentioned above, is I simply need to wait for a cheap flight to Shannon and take a weekend trip to Ireland. I'll be able to replace my ring, plus drive further north than I was able to get last spring.
Traveling with jewelry.
I used to travel with my good jewelry, and jewelry to match every outfit. Then I had all of it stolen from my suitcase in a hotel while at a business conference. I was distraught. Some of the jewelry were very special gifts that had been custom designed for me. The only way I was able to 'let it go', was to continuously remind myself that they were just things and the memories attached to them would always be with me. It took a while, but it finally worked.
I did learn my lesson though. Now, my jewelry travel habit is this:
- I only travel with costume jewelry, and nothing expensive.
- I try to take only what I wear on the plane ... 1 pair of earrings, 1 necklace or bracelet, 1 ring. And I make sure they match all outfits, and that they do not set off the airport security screeners.
- If I need to take a few more pieces of jewelry, I carry them either in a ziplock baggie in my purse or in a small jewelry pouch in my briefcase.
- When I take my jewelry off, even if I'll put it back on in a few hours, I always put it in the baggie or pouch.
It's all about being intentional in our travel habit.
And remembering that they are just 'things.'
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