Fall Reset... But First, A Mini-Break!
Did you have big vacation plans for 2020?
Were they mercilessly crushed by the pandemic?
Yep, us, too.
In a scramble -- and with the help of a TravelZoo deal that arrived in my inbox -- what was to be a 12-day European vacation became a two-day road trip to upstate New York. But it turned out to be just what we needed to mark the beginning of a new season. In more ways than one!
The glorious photo above is of Lake George, an easy, 2.5-hour drive from our house but a world away. I went once as a child, but it had never occurred me to go as an adult. What a great mini-break destination! It had it all: beautiful weather; stunning scenery; a quaint, walkable downtown; restaurants, gift shops, and drinking establishments galore; a variety of outdoor activities, to include renting a kayak or pontoon boat (no boat license required!); friendly locals; a diverse clientele in both age and ethnicity; and a multitude of great outlets with slashed prices.
We checked off most of the boxes (brewery: check, distillery: check, shopping: check) during our 48-hour stay. But the clear highlight was our one-hour trail ride, led by a taciturn elder cowboy through green forest. The horses were beautiful and friendly (my husband and I spent time after the ride stroking their velvety faces). If you feel stressed, go pet a horse -- it works.
Our short trip marked a turning point for 2020: the end of August and the return to fall pursuits in our personal and professional lives. I decided to "Go Big or Go Home": I signed up for a meal-delivery program to lose quarantine weight and improve my energy; I began an unofficial training program to take my long walks up a notch to run/walks; and I established myself on the Upwork platform to make my estate-organizing and unclaimed-asset services available on a wider scale. We're also doing some decluttering at our house (yes, even professional organizers do that) to make it more functional and "lighter."
Remember: Everything you clear out invites something new to enter. That goes for our homes and our lives as well.