Lessons from Lost Luggage

On my recent training trip to Malaysia, the unthinkable happened—the airline lost my luggage. After almost 13 years of international travel it has only happened once before, but this time was a little different…..it happened on my way to an event!

Having survived it all, making plans, having conversations…..I realised that sometimes, the unexpected offers some of the best lessons, and that’s exactly what I took away from this little adventure.

Here’s what I learned when my luggage went AWOL:?

1. You choose what to focus on.When things go wrong, your first instinct might be frustration or anger, but here’s the thing—your focus determines how things play out. I could’ve time stressing over my missing luggage, but instead, I decided to focus on what I could do to move forward. Remember where focus goes….energy flows!

2. Make a plan.

Bad things happen, and they often catch you off guard. But here’s where your problem-solving skills really kick in. I had to make a plan on the fly—where to buy new clothes, how to manage without my usual things—but that’s where growth happens. The quicker you make a plan, the sooner you can get back on track.

3. Communication is key.

I cannot stress this enough— follow up and ask questions. I called, emailed, and followed up multiple times to get updates. I also made sure that the reception desk was on the look-out for my suitcase. The lesson? Rally the people around you and get them on your side. You’ll be surprised at how many people want to help and care about the outcome.

4. It’s not THAT bad!

It could have been worse. A lot worse. No one got hurt, and nothing irreplaceable was lost. I had to remind myself that this is not the end of the world. Sometimes, we blow things out of proportion when really, it’s just an inconvenience, not a crisis.

5. Focus on what you CAN control.

This was huge for me. I couldn’t control when (or if) my luggage would show up, but I could control my response and next steps. So, I focused on that. I handled what I could and let go of the rest, and it made the situation feel so much lighter.?

6. People are incredibly kind.

I was blown away by the kindness of people. From giving me tips on where to shop for affordable replacements to helping me figure out what sizes would fit (which are totally different from South Africa!), I was reminded that people really do want to help. Sometimes, you just need to ask, accept that help and be grateful.?

7. Always create redundancy.

This one is a practical tip— pack at least one outfit and your essentials in your hand luggage. I had one conference outfit, one casual outfit and a few personal care items with me, which saved me from a complete wardrobe meltdown. It’s always smart to prepare for the worst, just in case.??

8. Say thank you.

This sounds simple, but don’t forget to show gratitude to everyone who helps you along the way. A little “thank you” goes a long way and creates positive energy around you.?

9. You are more than your outfit.

We can get caught up in appearances, but losing my luggage taught me that you are more than the clothes you wear. It made me focus on what I was there to DO! Your value doesn’t come from your outfit—it comes from what you bring to the table as a person.

10. Laugh when you feel like crying.

This one’s golden. Sometimes, when things go wrong, finding the humour in the situation is the best remedy and as a South African I am uniquely experienced in finding the funny side in EVERYTHING. Laugh, even when it feels like everything is falling apart, and suddenly, it all feels a bit lighter. When you choose to laugh, you shift the energy, and it becomes easier to find the silver lining.

So there you have it—ten unexpected lessons from a lost suitcase. Life has a funny way of teaching us exactly what we need to know, even when it’s not in the form we expect.

Next time things go wrong, remember—focus on the lessons not just the challenge

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