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Together, we’ll dive deep and find the strength to never give up because Great Things Take Time.

Whether you pack your stuff in the largest duffel you can find, an Away, a Rimowa, or the beat-up suitcase that you’ve lugged everywhere, you can’t forget to include some of these things in your suitcase!

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• Your summer packing list that won’t fit in your suitcase

• Moments with Maurice

• What's Got Me Smilin'

Your Summer Packing List That Won’t Fit In Your Suitcase

There is no doubt that summer is here. Are you even reading this, or am I getting your OOO bounce back?

You’ve got your swimsuit, your sunscreen, and your entertainment packed, but no matter how stuffed your suitcase is, there are a few things you can’t forget!

Throw Everything Out The Window (Except Trash)

First up: throw that need to control everything out the window. Whether you’re flying, driving, or walking down the street, there are always aspects of travel you can’t control. Let’s be real, there is a lot on vacation that you can’t control. You can plan the perfect itinerary to a T, but there is always a chance that hunger pains, a meltdown, the weather, or closures will throw a wrench in your plans. 

Consider that some of the best memories of your time away could come from the unexpected. It’s not about WHAT you’re doing, it’s how you approach it and who you’re with. Sometimes, there is nothing left to do but throw your hands in the air, laugh, and make unforgettable memories with the people you’re with. 

Ever consider that maybe you’re being given the exact vacation that you need?

Traditions 🤝 Trash Can

Don’t be afraid to let go of traditions, and certainly don’t feel guilty about starting new ones. Holidays can look very different for you in a variety of ways: they mean different things now that you’re older, they’re not as fun to celebrate because you have to do all the preparation, and staples of your traditions are gone.

Like winter holidays, you may be the one creating the magic for your kids, and it just might not be what you want to prioritize anymore. There can be generational trauma created from traditions that you don’t want to pass on to your family. Now you understand why a family member would have the yearly family barbecue meltdown, and you’re not really in the mood to be the one to carry that torch…

Search for the feeling that those previous traditions gave you: peace, connection, fun, carefreeness, togetherness, adventure, and figure out what that means to you now and how you can create it.

P.S. You’re an adult now. This means that you can finally do that activity you always wanted to do as a kid. Feels thrilling, huh?

The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You

You’re going to need a break, even if you’re on a break. You work so hard during the year that, come vacation time, you might feel like you have to go extra hard to fit everything in. Time with family, time for a workout, that super scenic hike, museum hopping, picturesque photoshoot, local cuisine, finish your summer reading… (did you take a breath yet?).

You 👏 Can’t 👏 Enjoy 👏 Your 👏 Time 👏 If 👏 You 👏 Don’t 👏 Rest 

Sure, you checked off forty boxes, but you only remember 10 of them, and you only actually enjoyed three. Don’t hesitate to gracefully bow out of something to get a break. Is a vacation really rejuvenating if you’re just getting worked up about something that you wouldn’t bat an eye at if you weren’t overwhelmed? And if all else fails, look for the emergency exit…. “Ohhh, I think [insert dish] isn’t sitting well with me. I need to go lie down.” Everyone will excuse you from a potentially bad shit-uation.

The Presence You Can’t Find In The Gift Shop

The best gift doesn’t come from the gift shop; it’s wherever you are at this moment. It’s hard, but take the time to really try to live in the moment. Focus on the conversation, taste the meal, see the sights, and don’t focus on what’s next. You’ll be back home, to your job, your workout, and your daily responsibilities in what will feel like the blink of an eye, and you’ll be wishing that you had appreciated things more. 

The only guilt you should feel is if you ate the last cookie and no one else got one. You shouldn’t feel guilty that you’re not keeping up with your schedule. Vacation is meant to create breaks that allow you to come back and attack things harder. If you spend your time freaking out about letting things slip, you’re just compounding your stress and heading towards burnout. The break will do you good and provide you with the rest you need, especially when it comes to movement. You won’t lose everything you worked for over a week or two, so don’t spiral on day three of vacation.

Moments with Maurice

If you only pause to reflect on your life for one moment today, do it now.

The Thread Between Childhood & Great Things

Young Adrian was a people pleaser, and it’s something that grown Adrian still struggles with. My younger self needed guidance, but not in the “tell me what to do” way, in the “you need to be okay with following your heart” way.

As an adult, this meant I was constantly adding things to my plate that I felt others wanted for me but I didn’t necessarily want for myself. I found myself grumpy, burnt out, and very far from my goals. It was very similar to how, as a kid, I’d get in trouble and not feel good about it because it wasn’t something I wanted for myself.

Because no matter what, there is always something to smile about.

Something Something Cars

So far there have been some great submissions and have some clear front runners. Still want to suggest a name for the car section? Drop your name recommendations HERE and I’ll make my selection next week and include a feature in the newsletter.

Touch Some Grass

Well, more like I first got to touch a yoga mat, and then went outside to touch some grass. Being out near the water this weekend for lululemon Summer Club was a breath of fresh air.. literally! Even if my days weren’t spent at the beach, the close proximity to the salty air put a huge smile on my face. As always, an aperol was necessary!

Remember:

-Adrian