Living Life Through Travels

Are you working hard, maybe even too hard? I've been there! I'm someone who loves to explore and enjoy life through travel, and I truly believe in the mantra: work hard, but then really enjoy the fruits of your labor.

For most of my life, I've been self-employed. That meant countless 7-day, 15-hour workweeks, constantly juggling multiple responsibilities. It's a grind many of you might relate to. But through all that hustle, I learned one of the most crucial lessons: you absolutely have to make time for yourself to de-stress. It took me years to get to that point, but trust me, it's better late than never!

Prioritize Yourself

If you're like me, you've probably spent years prioritizing others, perhaps your kids or your career. I worked tirelessly to take care of my two children, and honestly, for a long time, I put my own needs on the back burner. But there comes a moment when you realize it's time to start taking care of you again.

This moment hit me one summer when a friend, who owns an 80-foot yacht, invited me on a two-week cruise. Two weeks! For someone self-employed, taking a full week off felt like a luxury, let alone two. The thought of being "unemployed" for that long was daunting, but I made the decision to take the plunge. And let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Embrace New Experiences

This yacht, with its three bedrooms, captain's quarters, full kitchen, living room, and two decks, was an entirely new world for me. It was my first time on a yacht, and it was simply fabulous. I've always loved the ocean, but I had never been out that far before.

We kicked off our journey from Maryland and spent our first night in New York. I've been to New York countless times, but traveling there by yacht was an entirely different experience. Seeing the Statue of Liberty from the water was absolutely breathtaking. It reminded me that there's always a new way to see familiar things, and that stepping outside your comfort zone can

.

So, my advice to you is this: don't wait. Don't wait years to prioritize your well-being. Work hard, absolutely, but then boldly claim your time to de-stress and explore. Whether it's a long cruise or just an afternoon in nature, give yourself the permission to enjoy the life you've worked so hard to build. You deserve it.