Inaugural newsletter
Courage to try
2023 was a year full of mixed emotions. On the positive side, I got back into reading and enjoyed 20 books (yay for the Libby app)! I also got to return to one of my favorite areas - Idaho Falls / Yellowstone / Grand Tetons and visit a country that's been on my list for a long time - Portugal. Lastly, we enjoyed a 10 day family cruise for the first time since 2019! Addy loved the Fall cruise from Baltimore to Quebec City and was one of five kids under 18 years old on the ship! On the tougher side, relationship challenges and my favorite person, my Grandma (93), passed away over the summer. It still hasn't fully sank in 6 months later.
In striving to be the best mom to my daughter, I did not fully appreciate how much I had shifted my focus away from things I was passionate about and that made me, me. I have often felt like a skeleton of my former self. Nothing more crushing than being asked 'what are your hobbies?' to realize that I didn't feel like I had any current ones. My former self played basketball, made Shutterfly photo books of trips, studied a foreign language and volunteered teaching English as a foreign language. I have been a hamster in a wheel for some time and writing this newsletter is something for me, that I hope you will also enjoy. I spent 2023 trying to feel unstuck (with lots of self-help books and regular writing) and it's still a process, but creating a Substack and putting out this newsletter is proof to myself that I can prioritize me, my passions and pursuits!
So whether you know me IRL or you find me online, it doesn't take long to learn that travel is my favorite topic! I love sharing recommendations with friends, family and strangers! One of the beauties of having a park-loving 5-year-old is I'm always encouraging her to play with the other kids and she's always encouraging me to make an adult friend. It helps that we're both outgoing! This is one way we've managed to make friends in various cities! (Shout out to the amazing moms in Idaho Falls - I look forward to connecting with them each spring!)
Here are the types of topics you'll find in my newsletter and on my website (now or in the future):
Adventuring with a child
Specific US, Canadian and European destinations we've enjoyed
Specific port cities we've ventured to on cruises
National parks and visiting state capitol buildings
Free and low cost fun
DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) family fun
We are all creatives and this is my creative journey that I want to share with each of you! Thank you for being here!
