Enjoy Life Now

Recent research has shown that 56% of Americans have not taken a vacation in the past 12 months.  Perhaps a reason stronger than money, is the need to keep one's job.  Americans have been trending the non-vacation time for decades now and it continues to worsen.

When I was in France two summers ago, I found Paris to be rather... quiet.   Come to find out, August is a time when many Parisians take a vacation.  This happens all throughout Europe!  They take weeks off and not only that, they are expected too!

As a teacher, I am very fortunate to have 2 months off over the summer.  Even though that means that I am a stay-at-home mom for those 2 months, the time away from my job does wonders. Visiting my family in Western New York and taking a break from the fast paced life in NYC does wonders too!  If I am lucky enough to actually go away... well, then that makes it all the better!  By the time September comes and school begins, I am ready!  I am refreshed and honestly, ready and excited to start a new year!  It is too bad that most people don't get to experience that rejuvenation.

If you have the opportunity to take a vacation (even a stay-cation) of any sort, do it!  It will be worth it to you in so many ways!!!

(Information found at http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-08-19/even-fewer-americans-are-taking-vacation.)

Not for an Escape but for an Experience

Why You Should Travel More

I haven't done a great deal of traveling in my life until more recently.  What held me back more than money, more than spending vacation time moving and then going back to visit family, was I wasn't setting realistic opportunities to travel.  I wanted to go abroad, Europe in particular, and I was so focused on doing that and I didn't  even stop to think about the beauty and wonder right in my own backyard.  The United States is such a beautiful, rich, and diverse country.  It is so vast and there is so much to see.

Once I set more realistic opportunities for my self I found that in two years I had traveled to all four corners of the United States (Maine, Florida, Washington, and California).  I was even lucky enough to visit some others in between.  They were all beautiful in completely different ways.  Once I started to travel more, I got a taste for all that it offered.  It became a priority to see more the world.  I now spend less money on materialistic things, manage my vacation time differently, and take advantage of opportunities when I can.  As a result, I have been to Europe twice in the past two years!

Everyone has their own stories for where and why they travel or why they don't.  I think everyone should, even if it is just for a two-hour one-night getaway. A change of scene can do wonders.  I thought that this article made some great points in showing the benefits for traveling.

5 Reasons You Should Travel More by Michelle Phan

1.  It gives you perspective.

2.  It reduces stress.

3.  It increases your knowledge.

4.  It helps your physical health.

5.  It makes us more social beings.

To read this article in it's entirety, please click here.



Where are some places that you have visited?  Please share your experiences, photos, etc.  :)

The Fjords in Norway... A majestic and breathtaking view.