The New Year is quickly approaching and I can’t help but post about how I’m starting this year anew, how there are so many things I wish I had a chance to do in 2009 and that there are so many things I hope to achieve in 2010. And as much as I’m sure you’d love to read another cliche new year’s post about making the most of this lovely transition from one year to the next, I’d like to steer clear of all things cliche and give you my own two cents.
For the past 3 years I have spent the holiday season (usually December 27th- January 3rd) on some sort of road trip or travel and have found it to be a great time to get away from all things comfortable and see things from a different perspective upon my return.
Road trips before the new year give you time to reflect on all that has happened in the last year and mentally prepare to return home with a new perspective. This year’s holiday road trip was spent in the U.S. for once, visiting Yuma, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson, Arizona. The vast deserts and multicolored sunsets have provided me with the respite that I had been needing in order to sum up the events of 2009.
It’s also nice to get out of your element. We are, by nature, creatures of habit and by stepping away from all that is normal in our lives, we are allowed to see more clearly the things we seek to change or improve in our lives.
Now, I may be biased- seeing as there is obviously a direct connection with travel and my career- but I truly believe that returning to your home creates a nice segue into the new year.
With only a general direction (East) and a final destination in mind (Tucson and Patagonia), I have been letting the people I meet along the way plan the next destination.