There are moments in life when everything feels like too much and not enough all at once. You know the feeling—the kind of restlessness that sits heavy on your chest, whispering, “Get out. Go somewhere. Anywhere.”
That’s how I found myself booking a spontaneous three-day stay at the DTLA Proper Hotel. No itinerary. No carefully curated plans. Just the raw need to escape, to breathe, to feel like myself again.

A Bag Full of Nothing
I won’t romanticize the lead-up. There was no Pinterest board of outfits or a color-coded itinerary waiting in the wings. Instead, there was me, tossing random clothes into a suitcase two hours before check-in, sipping wine as I called my Uber. The only thought I had was, “This could be an adventure.”
When I arrived, I realized I wasn’t just walking into a hotel—I was stepping into a world where every detail had been considered. From the curved walls to the textured fabrics, the DTLA Proper wasn’t just a place to stay; it was an invitation to slow down and savor beauty in unexpected forms.

The Magic of Cara Cara
By the time I reached Cara Cara (@caracararooftop), hunger had taken over. I sat at the bar, ordered a glass of red wine, and a Chorizo “Little Heat” + Jalapeño Focaccia. If love at first sight were real, it would look like that focaccia arriving on a plate.
But before I could pick up my phone to capture the perfect shot, something stopped me. The rhythm of the space was intoxicating. The bartender moved with an artistry that made shaking a cocktail feel like painting a masterpiece. The soft hum of music wrapped around the room like a warm blanket, and the conversations around me felt like snippets of a movie I didn’t want to miss.
For 25 minutes, my phone stayed in my bag. I didn’t take a single photo, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I was fully present.
A Different Kind of Rest
The bartender mentioned the rooftop pool, but something inside me pulled me back to my room. It wasn’t about missing out; it was about leaning in—to stillness, to solitude, to the kind of rest that feels indulgent in a world that demands productivity.
I spent the night wrapped in a robe, eating room service, and watching reruns. No deadlines. No to-do lists. Just me, in a room that felt like a sanctuary, realizing I had forgotten what it felt like to just be.

What This Trip Taught Me
There’s a term my therapist uses: “human doer.” It’s when you define your worth by what you accomplish, constantly chasing the next thing without ever stopping to just exist. That’s who I had become—a human doer.
But this trip reminded me of what it feels like to be a human being. To sit still. To listen to your own thoughts. To find joy in the simple pleasure of warm focaccia, a glass of wine, and a perfectly made bed.
What’s Waiting for You
Maybe you’re reading this, feeling that same restless ache I felt—the need to escape, to reset, to reconnect with yourself. I want you to know that you don’t need a plan. You don’t need an excuse. What you need is permission: to go, to rest, to turn off the noise and remember who you are.
So here’s my challenge to you: book a trip with no itinerary. Show up with nothing but a bag of clothes and an open mind. Find yourself in the stillness.
Tell Me About Your Adventures
Have you ever taken a trip with no plans? Where did it take you—not just physically, but emotionally? Share your stories and tag me on Instagram. Who knows—you might just inspire my next adventure. 💋
—Jessica Nichole