SH Note #7 : The Yearly Vacation Planning Template You NEED For 2019
Sep 11, 2018Hello Hello
Ahh a newsletter two weeks in a row! Well, it's my birthday and I can write an extra newsletter if I want to ;)
I've been writing these as I go throughout my week — whenever I run across a good article, get an idea from someone I talked to on Instagram, get mesmerized by a YouTube video, etc — and found this edition (that was originally slated for next Tuesday) was filled up with info pretty quickly.
I started internally debating whether or not to send one two weeks in a row, but then I was just like fuck it — I want to make this as strategic, insightful, and useful for you as possible, so you can turn your dreams into your reality too — so if I have helpful info for you, I want to share it in a timely fashion!
You know how it goes... I find myself constantly consuming and creating content across all channels; below is my latest list of recommended links to help you build your best life:
9/11 REMEMBRANCE
- Today is September 11th, and I join the USA in remembering and honoring the victims and heroes on the 17th anniversary of the terror attacks.
WHERE I'M TRAVELING
- I am currently enjoying the last day of my Belgium (country #43!) solo birthday trip in Brussels! I turned 32 yesterday on September 10th, and have really enjoyed this long weekend.
- The food Belgium is famous for are my top choices for birthday celebrations.
- This is why I almost didn't go on this trip.
- On Sunday I fit in a day trip to Luxembourg (country #44!) and am so glad I did! A tiny country, but a gorgeous one!
WHAT I'M WRITING
- Admittedly, I haven't been as productive on the writing front lately. It's definitely not from a lack of inspiration or ideas — I just need to set aside longer chunks of quality creative time to actually get posts written, edited, formatted, and live. I'm trying not to be so hard on myself about it, I have been busy and also trying to have more fun (which is like, so fun) and live in the moment. I am writing these newsletters consistently though so that totally counts for something :)
BOOKS I'M READING
- I fell off the book reading band wagon a little bit again. Life gets busy and when I drop out of my regular routine, reading is one of the first things to go. That's why I created this 50 books challenge in the first place!
- Luckily while I was in NYC, my friend Michele gave me a ridiculously hilarious travel memoir that I couldn't put down, so I got back on track and have finished 31 books so far this year!
- I have also been loving Richard Branson's Finding My Virginity via audio book throughout my recent travels.
YOUTUBE VIDEOS I'M WATCHING
- I believe in astrology and that the alignment of the planets in our universe have an effect on our physical and emotional energy here on planet Earth. Several years ago, I was introduced to the concept of new moon and full moon rituals (through my friend Sydney Campos), and found them to be very energetically healing.
- More recently, I've made it a habit of tracking the moon cycles so I can set intentions with the new moon and release my fears with the full moon. I have been able to make drastic* improvements in my life by doing this.
- *Setting intentions will always drastically improve your life, regardless of when you do them, but doing them around the moon cycles not only helps move things along energetically, but keeps you on track of actually doing it!
- This past Sunday, September 9th the new moon arrived in Virgo. I recommend reading this article about new moons, and watching this video with an open mind if you're curious to learn more and see if past planet alignments matched what you were going through during that time.
- For my birthday gift to myself, I'm going to be getting an Intuitive Birth Chart Reading from Rebecca Conran. I've been working with Rebecca (based in NYC) on my healing for years, and now I'm so ready, curious, and excited to learn more about my unique astrological imprint with her.
- More recently, I've made it a habit of tracking the moon cycles so I can set intentions with the new moon and release my fears with the full moon. I have been able to make drastic* improvements in my life by doing this.
TRIPS I'M PLANNING
- 2019 trip planning has begun!!! This is the first year in a while that I've been able to plan for some bigger trips in advance. The past few years since my divorce have been all over the place — with lots of moves, financial struggles, and year span where I didn't travel at all. I'm finally in a good spot and settled in London, and it's been so much fun daydreaming about where I can explore next year. I have not a damn clue where in the world I'm going to end up, and I love it!
- I am a (Virgo) planner, but have found a balance in planning enough to make the most out of every trip... but not over-planning to the point where I can't take advantage of random opportunities or adventures that come my way. I (surprise surprise) use a google doc to keep track of my vacation days so I can make the most out of them — I created a template for you to copy and use yourself, and included a tab with my 2019 quarterly strategy for your reference as well! (Also leaving all my PTO tabs dating back to 2014 if you're curious how my traveling has evolved.)
- I strongly believe that dreaming is a critical part of building your dream travel life. Most of the trips I'm going on have been dreamed about for YEARS — but that just makes it even sweeter once you finally get there!
- Dreaming and visualizing of where you want to go also gives the universe a big sign you're open to travel, and once you put that out there, so many people and opportunities will start to magically appear to help you along your journey.
SUPPLEMENT I LOVE
- A trusted friend of mine created Nadovim, a supplement that greatly improves your overall brain function, focus, and concentration. I was lucky enough to get access to it a few months ago, and it has remarkably improved my productivity. My brain feels sharper — a brain fog is being lifted and I'm starting to function at higher levels with less effort. It's like taking adderall without all the side affects ;) You can learn more about all the science that went into this powerful product here.
QUOTE I LOVE
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"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."
Now go forth, take advantage of these Virgo season vibes, and get shit done! I KNOW you can do it... so just go for it! If you need any help, want to chat through anything, or need any travel peer pressure, just hit reply!
If you have any questions or feedback, don't hesitate to reach out.
Please :) forward this email / link to a friend that would find this useful too!
xo
SH
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“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” ― Earl Nightingale
