Traveling Abroad With My Older Sister Saved Our Relationship
For any younger sisters, gaps of four years or more can feel like crossing the Great Wall of China when trying to relate to your older sister as you're growing up.
When I was going through my Barbie Stage, my older sister was going through her Usher Stage. When I finally caught up and learned the popular dance moves, Usher was out and Trey Songz was in. For most of our childhood and teenage years, I felt like I was never on the same page as my sister and honestly began to resent her for it.
But, there is something remarkable about your 20s that begins to blur the lines between age and maturity. After traveling together to London, Jamaica, and the French Alps (which is surprisingly snowy year-round), I realized that I had really been missing out on a relationship with my sister. The same woman who I always thought that I had nothing in common with was… cool, really cool. There is something about leaving your day to day routine and traveling together that bonds you with your sister in a totally indescribable way. It saved our relationship.
Here are 5 reasons you absolutely must travel abroad with your sister in your 20s.
Author, right, and sister in the French Alps.
1. No one knows you like your sister
They've seen you at your best, they've seen you at your worst. For better or for worse, there's no front to put up when traveling with your sister… and it's so freeing. You can sing Beyonce in the shower, indulge in your annoying habits throughout your trip together, tell things like they really are, and there's no discussion to be had. You're family – literally.
2. Guaranteed wingwoman & shameless photographer wrapped in one
The pick-up line, "You look young enough to be sisters" actually applies when traveling together. It was so much fun consistently having someone to go out with and not having to worry about them flaking on you last minute – we all have that one friend. Even better, traveling with your sister guarantees that there's no awkwardness in asking someone to retake your picture 100 times. Traveling with your sister means you get a guaranteed plus one and a photographer all in one.
Author, right. Sister, left.
3. There is safety in numbers
International travel can seem daunting, especially if it's your first time leaving the country. But when traveling with your sister, it often comes with an unspoken sense of comfort due to familiarity. I genuinely felt like we had each other's backs because, well, we share DNA. Plus, our parents were considerably more comfortable with the idea of us traveling together opposed to other friends and SOs. If we would've known that our parents would be so on board, we would've started traveling together years ago.
4. Memories and inside jokes last a lifetime
Upon returning from our trip, everything is an inside joke or makes us think of an experience we had together. The amount of blackmail material, #tbt posts, and you-had-to-be-there stories you come back with goes unparalleled. Before our trip, my sister and I would probably talk a few times a month if we were lucky, and since returning, we communicate several times a week to reminisce or simply check-in. You get so used to talking all the time when traveling together, that it's hard to revert to old habits upon your return.
5. You keep the simple things in perspective
One evening, after a long day of running around and things finally start to settle down, you will look over at your sister and realize that in this big, crazy world, you are that all each other has. And, it doesn't seem half bad.
- Why Sisters Make the Best Travel Companions - The Next Somewhere ›
- 10 Sister Trip Ideas - Fun Vacations to Go On With Your Sister ›
- 6 Reasons To Travel Abroad With Your Sister In Your 20s ›
- Travelling with Sisters: Tips to Help You Have a Good Trip! ›
- Reasons to Travel With Your Sister | POPSUGAR Moms ›
Lydia is a recent Ivy League graduate who is passionate about using her voice to enact change in minority and female communities. Dubbed the "Intern Queen," she has worked 8+ internships in diverse industries, including Wall Street firms and the Obama White House, and is now bringing her career and lifestyle tips to you! Meet Lydia on Instagram @queen_of_anglin and Twitter @its_lit_dia.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage