Quote of the Month
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” - Hal Borland
The closer we got to December 31, the more everything, everywhere suggested we should be reshaping who we were. I get it. There is a natural calendar within us that tends to suggest we should get introspective at this time of year. But resolutions can hold so much stress. Instead, for the last few years, I’ve skipped the pressure and focused instead on what I’ve learned in the year that’s closing and what I hope to learn and experience in the year ahead. No promises except to make the most of this one life I have and to continue living it to its fullest.
I wish the same for all of you.
Bold Idea: New Year, NO Resolutions
It’s midnight on December 31st and everyone awaits the clock striking midnight. Questions start to run through our heads…How will 2023 be better? What can I change about myself to improve in the new year? What are some goals I want to meet in the first 30 days?
Does this sound familiar? What if this year, you change your approach? What if instead of making a new year’s resolution, we focused our energy on visualizing what we want 2023 to look like. As we move into the new year, GTM offers some points to ponder and items to visualize to make your year the best one yet.
What’s new in the world of travel?
National Plan For Vacation Day is fast approaching. Each year, on the last Tuesday of January, Americans (well, really everyone!) are encouraged to set aside some time to plan their time off for the year. In a study recently released by Sorbet, results show that unused Personal Time Off (PTO) has doubled since the pandemic. These numbers are eye opening, especially when it comes to women’s timesheets.
The results of the survey show that 55% of PTO goes unused by employees when just a few years ago in 2019, it was only 28% unused. Sorbet noted that not only do male employees tend to receive 10% more PTO than women, but they also take 33% more days off. Though women are generally more comfortable using their sick days, they are 19% less comfortable than men when it comes to using days off for PTO. Another group reluctant to use that PTO are parents of children 12 and under. Parents of small kids take 12% less PTO than employees with older or no children.
If any of this resonated for you, it’s time to plan out that PTO for 2023! Stay tuned for our next newsletter to get some inspiration as you plan!
What we’re listening to at Globetrotting Mama?
Hidden Brain
In Hidden Brain, host Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to take a deep look at human behaviour, decision making and relationships. In this particular episode, Vedantam looks at the power tiny interactions may have in a relationship.
The Human Design Podcast with Emma Dunwoody
This podcast takes an alternative approach to embracing who you are and who you were born to be. Host, Emma Dunwoody, shares her wealth of knowledge on Human Design and how it can help you through your journey of self-discovery and personal growth. In this specific episode, Emma walks you through setting your intentions for 2023. Listening might just give you a new approach in the new year!
5 Things to Focus on Instead of Resolutions
Health
Though weight loss tends to be a big New Year’s resolution, its often at the expense of considering our overall health. This year why not commit to making small steps to eating healthier or finally cutting out those foods that just make you feel blah (gluten, dairy, sugar). Making small physical changes like going for a walk could be beneficial to your overall health and is simple and cost-effective. Perhaps you’re ready for a focus on mental health. Maybe this is the year you start therapy or have a dedicated time to meditate each day. And don’t overlook the role travel can play. Wellness can look like a trip to an all-inclusive resort that allows you time to rest, recharge, unplug and focus on you. (For those who prefer it cold, I share about colder-destination resorts and activities here.)
Wealth
The best way to begin to usher in abundance is with a mindset shift. This year, start visualizing yourself as someone who attracts money! Then when it does turn up, document it! Write down anytime you find a quarter on the street or get ten extra dollars on your paycheck. These are all forms of abundance! When we start to see it and show gratitude for it, many believe that you open up the possibility to receive more! After changing your mindset, start making a few tweaks to get “biggest bang for your buck.” One way to do this is to look for those deals! If you love to travel, but feel like finances have held you back in the past, check out this GTM blog for a few tips that hold true no matter what time of year it is.
Family
For me, everything comes back to time with my family. For many, pandemic quarantines were a reminder of the importance of the time we spend together. In 2023, find more ways to spend time with the people you care about. And what kind of family travel advocate would I be if I didn’t suggest you do that through travel? Consider some of these family travel resolutions from GTM that aim to make your experience more collaborative. Are your kids older? That doesn’t mean the family trips need to stop! Read this blog on the importance of taking those family trips even after your kids have grown.
Dreams
Do you know the Langston Hughes poem, Harlem? In it he asks: What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up. like a raisin in the sun? The moral of that story? Dreams left untended often die. Putting off our dreams until we’re older, or have more money, or when work is less stressful…often means putting them off forever. This year, why not make a plan to live a dream? Schedule that vacation to Europe or start those dance lessons you’ve always wanted to take. Start making those dreams a reality, no matter how small a step you need to take to start.
Fun
Don’t forget to play, be curious, and have FUN! In all of our “adulting,” that kid-like sense of wonder can get lost. This year, focus on finding opportunities to play. Return to an old hobby that brought you joy or discover a new one. Have a “Yes Day,” where the answer is “yes” to every question or scenario that pops up throughout the day. Consciously decide to explore new places or activities that you’ve never had time to investigate previously. The biggest thing here is to remember that it’s okay to leave that sense of responsibility behind from time to time and just enjoy the moment! Need some suggestions on fun locations? You can read about my family trip to Saskatoon here or some general trips for family travel fun here.
Stay Tuned…
This year we’ve got a lot of fun things planned - with and without the kids. In the meantime, we want to wish you the best for 2023 and thank you for reading and sharing your family travel dreams with us.
Want to share something with our team? Message us on the social media platform of your choice and let us know what travel question we can answer for you!
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