For most individuals, the journey itch normally hits nearer to hotter, sunnier climate, however for me, the will to shake up my surroundings and routine is strongest at the start of a brand new 12 months. In January 2020, I left the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C. to embark on a silent meditation retreat within the Berkshires of Massachusetts after a busy vacation season. A number of years earlier, I spent the beginning of my 12 months in Santa Fe, writing and resting within the desert. One more 12 months, I took a solo journey to Costa Rica to observe yoga and study management abilities earlier than leaping right into a life coach certification program.
Save for the previous two years due to the pandemic, I’ve relished on this self-made custom of taking a solo journey in January. For me, a winter retreat isn’t a lot a trip, stuffed to the brim with actions. It’s extra of a time to relaxation, replicate, and set intentions for the 12 months forward. It’s a possibility for self-growth and to study one thing new. The magic of a New Yr’s journey is which you could tailor it to your wants, goals, and objectives for no matter you’d prefer to manifest in 2023.
Listed below are just some the explanation why solo journey in January is worth it and the way planning a New Yr’s solo journey units me up for a good looking 12 months forward.
Solo journey means beginning the 12 months outdoors your consolation zone.
Touring to new locations is a good way to develop and study, particularly whenever you’re touring solo. I’ve discovered that the familiarity of my dwelling and my hometown can generally make it simpler to remain in my consolation zone—and preserve my pondering small. We’re formed a lot by the locations and folks we spend essentially the most time with, so touring permits us to discover our personal identities in a brand new method.
There’s one thing thrilling about touring to a brand new place the place nobody is aware of who you’re. It could actually grant you somewhat extra freedom to current your self in no matter method feels true to you within the second. Particularly for those who’d prefer to carry a selected vitality into the brand new 12 months, leaning into totally different sides of your id on a visit generally is a enjoyable solution to experiment and domesticate a brand new sense of vanity and development.
It’s a possibility to relaxation and reset.
Staycations are beautiful, however getting away is sort of a permission slip for relaxation. Possibly it’s simply me, however I all the time expertise lingering emotions of guilt once I consciously select to relaxation at dwelling, the place obligations lurk round each nook. If the intention of your journey is to relaxation and reset, a fluffy lodge mattress and room service can really feel indulgent and purposeful. December is the busiest month of the 12 months for thus many people, and with the vacation season behind us come January, carving out time to take a giant, lengthy exhale is an excellent solution to observe self-care and begin your 12 months off proper.
A solo journey can encourage new inventive concepts for the 12 months forward.
Shaking up your surroundings is a good way to start out recent and clear your thoughts, particularly in the beginning of a brand new 12 months. Experiencing new locations and assembly new folks forces us out of our on a regular basis routines, which may in flip encourage new concepts, pursuits, and even private tasks and objectives. Touring solo additionally means you solely have your self to depend on, and fewer distractions can enable you the house to essentially take note of your environment, your ideas, and your self. Attempt preserving a journal in your solo journey, and take it with you wherever you go. You by no means know when inspiration will strike!
Solo journey can provide you newfound confidence.
Stepping out of your regular surroundings takes braveness, particularly in case you are touring alone. It takes guts to navigate a brand new place all by your self! And sitting down in a lodge room, espresso store, or poolside lounge chair to dream up new objectives for the 12 months forward generally is a highly effective ritual. Setting apart time to spend money on your self and your private improvement is one thing that needs to be savored and celebrated. On the finish of the journey, you’ll come dwelling with recent vitality, a rested physique and thoughts, and some days’ value of recent experiences—which is strictly what the “new 12 months, new me” mindset is all about anyway.
Plus, any form of journey, whether or not you’re doing it solo or not, comes with its ups and downs. Overcoming challenges that come up, like getting misplaced or lacking a flight, may construct confidence. Understanding which you could keep calm and sort out any curveball that comes your method is a welcome reminder for the start of a brand new 12 months. Solo journey can present you that you simply’re robust and able to dealing with no matter 2023 could have in retailer for you.
Supply: The Every Girl