Low Spoons travel itineraries
What if your vacation goal wasn’t “see everything” but “survive without crying in a hotel bathroom”? Radical, right? Forget the jam-packed itineraries and hustle-culture nonsense—these trip styles are designed for low energy, real needs, and zero guilt. Whether your vibe is ✨No Plans, Just Vibes or Structure, But Make It Soft, these approaches are here to help you rest, stim, snack, and actually enjoy yourself. Productivity? Never met her. Let’s travel the neurodivergent way. This are some examples of what trips can look like when you plan with low energy, real needs, and zero guilt in mind:
✨The No Plans Trip
Goal: Leave home. That’s it.
Stay somewhere quiet and accessible (private room, low interaction)
No schedule, no tourist spots, no guilt
Bring stim tools, books, favorite snacks
Celebrate small wins like: “I left the room and bought juice”
This trip is not for productivity — it’s for regulating your body in a different location.
🧠 The Gentle Routine Trip
Goal: Keep structure without pressure.
Morning: Coffee, stim, light breakfast
Late morning: Optional walk, quiet museum, or bookshop
Lunch: Pre-picked place from your “safe food” list
Afternoon: Rest, nap, or engage in special interest
Evening: Takeout or one low-effort dinner out
Night: Your normal wind-down routine, wherever you are
Feels familiar, safe, and low-stakes — aka: sustainable.
What are your favorite ways to add softness to your vacation? Add your tips below!
Disclaimers:
Land Acknowledgment: We live and work on the unseated territories of the Wahpekute and Chumash peoples, we pay respects to their elders past and present. We encourage folks to explore the ancestral lands they live and work on, and to learn about the Native communities that live there, the treaties that have been broken. If folks feel called, we encourage them to consider taking actions to support Native communities, reparations, and land back movements (see other resources at the end for more info).
A note on language: The language in the DSM, including the use of the word disorder (D in acronym), some find this harmful, while others prefer the language “disorder.” When this language is used, it is because, as mental health professionals, we need to use this same language when referring to “diagnoses” in the DSM. In addition some Autistics find the use of the level system helpful in identifying the level of support needed, while others view it as an overly simplistic way of defining something that’s fluid, and may feel it’s harmful and minimizing. The beauty is that each individual gets to choose what language feels validating and affirming to them. Inspired by Dr. Jennifer Mullan, we use the term, “therapy participant” rather than “client” or “patient,” as we work toward decolonizing therapy.
Educational Purposes: The information presented here is for educational purposes, and not meant to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions or challenges, including neurodivergence (including mental health challenges), or physical health.
