Researching (and Documenting) Your Next Solo Vacation - Part 1

The countdown is on, and I officially have less than 10 days before my biggest solo vacation to date.  My travelling companion came down with a medical emergency, so I am heading off to Puerto Rico for 6 days.  I have chosen to embrace the imperfection in my own travel edition of Wabi Sabi and adjust my vacation to suit me, and me alone.  While I am torn over the fact that I have a 2 bedroom AirB&B with only one body, I also want to declare the liberating quality that planning (and taking) a solo vacation affords the soul.  

Some people get cold sweats when they sit down to plan a vacation.  But for me, planning brings me more joy than it really should.  Planning is not just a task for the anal retentive, type A personality perfectionist.  It is a conscious attempt to take all of the guesswork out of your trip, freeing your mind to actually ENJOY the trip without stressing over the minutia.  Mind you, planning like I do is not for the weak of heart.  I actually like to create a travel brochure for each large vacation containing all pertinent information (flight numbers, addresses, travel insurance policy numbers, phone numbers, etc.) and an itinerary for each day.  The following brochure is my largest, most informative brochure yet.  For those who think that producing a brochure like mine is daunting, it is.  I have planned this specific vacation for 3 years, since just after my mother passed away, so I would like to offer this brochure as something to which you can aspire.

You may ask a very important question about trip planning: where do you start?  For me, I like to start in the Trip Advisor App.  After creating a trip, I browse through all of the information for that specific destination.  I save any place of interest, restaurant, activity, or attraction that appeals to my personality and likes.  For Puerto Rico, I wanted to go to a Bioluminescent Bay, El Yunque Tropical Rain Forest, Old San Juan, and at least one public beach.  I love seafood, vegan restaurants, and I wanted to try authentic Puerto Rican food.  Excursions I wanted to go on were a Puerto Rican cooking class and a boat ride through Laguna Grande at night.  And there you have it: the backbone of a great vacation!

My next step is to go through Pinterest searching for all posts relating to itineraries and "Best of"s posts for Puerto Rico.  This step is crucial!  Here is where I learn about tours that should not be missed, the best restaurants, and activities that I never would have found just by trial and error.  Only by reading the different blog posts and comparing itineraries do I know which activities to keep and which to throw directly into the trashcan.  This is where I found the cooking classes, the Museum of the Book (squeal!), and Calle la Fortaleza (the umbrella street) for photo ops and shopping.  I also use this to separate great restaurants from ones that are just okay.  

When I first started creating these travel plans about 7 years ago, I would go through every address of every place I wanted to visit while on vacation and lump them by zip codes.  This process was very tedious and time consuming.  Then about 2 years ago, I learned that I can go into Google Maps and create a customized map for each of my travel destinations.  This is perhaps my favorite online tool for travel planning.  As you can see in the screenshot below, I realized that there were about 4 different areas where all of my saved places were clustered.  Bingo!  Four days of travel and discovery just created themselves.

In case you are unaware, you can download any map you created to your phone which can be used offline.  This is my most recent discovery in the land of travel planning, and I wish that I had known it sooner!  Some parts of Puerto Rico are off the beaten path with sketchy cellphone service, so this is crucial to have in order to get to all of my activities and back to my AirB&B safely.

Finally, it is time for creating the travel itinerary.  For this task, I use Canva, a free digital design website and app.  For many years, I used Microsoft Publisher for all of my projects, but Microsoft Publisher is no longer supported by the Microsoft Suite.  I find that Canva is more cost effective and is incredibly user-friendly.  As for the style and color of the brochure, I leave that up to you.  I chose the colors I did to match the color scheme of this trip in my travel journal, which I have previously written about in this blog.  For me, the purpose of researching and creating an extensive itinerary is twofold: 1- to allow for a more enjoyable trip, and 2- creating the ultimate piece of ephemera for my travel journal.

There are a ton of methods to the madness known as Travel Journaling.  Not one way is right or wrong; it just needs to serve your own purposes.  Whether you are looking to record your memories from your travel or just wanting to create a plan of attack for your upcoming trip, keeping a travel journal is a wonderful pasttime that gives you a tangible keepsake for when  you have finished all your journeys.  And like J.R.R. Tolkein wrote, "Not all who wander are lost."  May you find your next wanderings inspirational!

Journaling of Wanderlust and What to Include in YOUR Travel Journal - Part 1

Before starting a designated travel journal, I combed through Pinterest and Instagram in order to see what I "could" keep in my travel journal.  I think it took me the better part of a year before I realized that I didn't need permission to record whatever I wanted in my travel journal and that I had already started making travel spreads in my Bullet Journal for several years.  I am telling you this right now because of two reasons: 1- You know what you want to record and have been doing so for as long as you have been traveling, and 2- You are the mistress of your own travel journal!!  As soon as you take ownership of YOUR journal, the world of ideas just falls at your feet.

In my honest opinion, I believe that there are many types of journalers: visual, written, minimalistic, bullet, creative, informative, factual, scrapbook, etc.  Just reading this post, I bet at least 2 of those words popped out at you with exclamation points.  Before you begin, the first step is to decide which type of journal you want your travel journal to be.  For me, my journal mixes many types of these including scrapbook, written prompts, photos, planning, and creative.  However, the most important requirement for my journal was that it was neat, orderly, and divided into trips.  I felt that some pages that I wanted fit more into my Travel Collection of my Bullet Journal.  A few of those included a travel savings tracker, a travel Bucket List, and a map of all of the places I had visited.  There are two types of trips in my journal. One is solo day trips which consist of of 1 vertical spread (2 facing pages) with photos, prompts, maps, ephemera, and drawings.  The second is for large, multiple-day trips.  For larger trips, I collect all info which I would like to use for planning purposes and use those to create multiple pages (5 or more) for each trip.  Once you decide what type of journal you want to have, the rest just falls into place.  For people with ADHD and Aspies like myself, this initial planning is crucial to enjoying the process of journaling without being caught up in the minutia of analysis paralysis.

Since the solo day trip pages of my journal are all in a specific style, it is easier for you to understand.  Please take away those items which fit your journaling style and leave those that do not.  My style of journaling has adapted and morphed over the last 2.5 years, so do not feel like you must stick with a style that no longer works for you.  In order to accommodate your needs and desires in a travel journal, feel free to include any or all elements that work for you.

                    A -  Destination Name and Map  (All of my trip pages start with a map and a destination name in the center of the first page.  This creates uniformity and makes each page, although quite different, look like it belongs to all of the other pages in the journal.  There are so many styles of maps that a person can use for this element, so be creative!  I like to search the city or location in Google and click on the corresponding map.  A mere outline is suitable for my style, and I feel the page would look too cluttered if I went into great detail.  This page was the first in my new travel journal.)

                    B -  Drawing of Landmark, Building, or Point of Interest  (I like to find one or two beautiful but simple points of interest that I can draw on the fly while looking at the object.  Sometimes it is easier to sketch the outline in my journal in the scale I want, snap a picture, and finish adding color once I get home.  Watercolor Pencils are the only type I use in my travel journal kit because they are so versatile, not to mention beautiful.)

                    C -  Itinerary  (This particular itinerary was written in bullets.  It was the first try at a specific city, so I tried to include a variety of methods to see which ones I liked best.  I keep the itinerary portion, but I leave the bullet format behind.  It is great to see where you spend your day, and it gives you a point of reference for all of those great photos on your cell phone.)

                    D -  Journaling Blocks with Prompts  (In an effort to capture my thoughts on each trip, I select various journaling prompts to write on for each new city.  I try to write these thoughts on the day after the trip if not on the day itself.  Only after writing on 5 to 6 different prompts do I choose which ones fit best with the mood and aesthetic of the trip.  These vary from items like "Best Meal," "Weirdest Smell," and "Biggest Bargain Find."  I have several places where I like to visit in each destination ranging from thrift stores to bruch restaurants and farmers' markets.  That way, I keep my consistency in the journal while assuring that I always have key photos.)

                    E -  Photos  (In order to get the biggest bang for my buck, I use the Canon Ivy 2 Bluetooth Printer with sticky back photo paper.  In the app for the device, I always choose a photo collage so that I have many pictures on one sheet of photo paper.  For this trip, I kept the collage as one solid print, but now, I cut each of the photos separately so that I can spread the pictures all over the page.  If you don't have a personal Bluetooth printer, I highly suggest getting one if you intend to keep a busy travel journal.  The sticky back saves much time and messiness by sticking directly onto the page itself without the need for photo glue or tape runner strips.  Pictures really are essential to a great travel journal!!)

                    F and G -  Ephemera   (In a previous post, I mentioned that ephemera divides the men from the boys when it comes to keeping a great travel journal.  F demonstrates the use of business cards and menus while G is a museum brochure.  In both instances, these pieces of paper were meant to be thrown away after use, but I have saved them to use as momentos from a great trip.  Try using various types of ephemera ranging from glossy card stock to flimsy paper takeout menus to get a full picture of your trip.) 

                            

                        This journal spread was created over a year after the first one pictured above.  Please note how I kept the original elements but altered their use slightly to create a more aesthetically pleasing layout which fits both my style and personality better.

There are so many factors in creating a travel journal of your dreams!!!  The fact is that everyone is different, so you may deem some styles more appropriate to reach your desired effect.  The greatest advice I can give is to simply start a journal to record all of your travels.  The hard part is getting started, the rest is merely tweaking and ironing out the kinks.  I hope you find this post inspirational and the goal of creating a travel journal is more attainable for you!

Happy travels!

Finding (and Keeping) Ephemera for Your Travel Journal

So, you've decided to create a combination travel journal like the ones which I have mentioned in earlier posts.  Now what?  Do you want to use premade templates, create art, write on specific travel prompts, or create a spread just on the types of clothing you wish to wear while on your travels?  Either of these are great examples of where to start your travel journal, but the items which personalize your journal most often appear as ephemera.  So without further adieu...

What is "ephemera?"

The Society of American Archivists define ephemera as "items that people create for a short-term, single use and expect to throw away."  Honestly, we live in a rather throw-away society, so these items are relatively available... but that is a discussion for another post.  I explain that ephemera is most often paper items that you can pick up, take, stuff in your purse or bookbag, and hide in an envelope that speak of where you have been, what you have done, or how you got there.  

Examples of  "Where you have been" ephemera:

• Maps
• Brochures
• Receipts
• Stamps
• Matchbooks

This type of ephemera is usually larger than what you would want to paste or glue into a travel journal, so travel journal crafters often cut these items down to size to fit a page or spread.  I like to think of these as "background art" or "supporting evidence."  While I would not want a Rand McNally map to be the sole item of evidence from my journal, I think it is colorful and could easily serve as the background for a road trip spread.  In fact, I may even use that idea the next time I plan a road trip.

                                                                       @anjahome

This image by @anjahome is pretty ubiquitous in the world of travel journaling.  Everyone wants to see where they would like to go and where they have been.  Maps like these tell so much more than just boxes checked on a Bucket List.  These are most often in color.

@jashiicorrin

@jashiicorrin does the same here, but on a smaller scale.  Please note that this travel journalist color coordinates this entire page.  Beautiful!!

@Molly Ella

@Molly Ella does a lovely job using a variety of ephemera all on one page.  Take a look at the map on the right hand page.  This is very similar to a post of mine in a different journal using a Washington, D.C. Metro Map to record the places we visited on our last family trip.

Examples of "What you have done" ephemera:

• Theater tickets
• Ticket stubs
• Menus (takeout)
• Business cards
• Postcards
• Stickers
• Food wrappers (clean)
• Pressed pennies
• Pressed flowers

These ephemera types may be the most enjoyable to obtain.  When I was in high school, I created our school's Latin club yearly scrapbook to compete in national contests.  During those four years, I became a veritable kleptomaniac.  If a five finger discount is your style, then you are taking a chance that, although thrilling, may not be your best method for obtaining ephemera.  As an adult, I have found that proprietors are almost always willing to hunt down these items for you if you break out your journal and explain what you need.  If you don't have a folder in the back of your journal, then carry a manilla envelope with you in the back of your journal for the collection of such items.

                                                                                @Anabelle O'Malley

This journal spread by @Anabelle O'Malley captures the idea of the movie ticket stub in a truly authentic way.  Note how she uses layering, photos, paper, and actual film to capture the theme of the spread.

@Harley&Jane

@Harley&Jane have splattered tickets of all sorts on this spread!  While it is not my style of journaling (my OCD is crying out to me!), this is an excellent way to keep to a theme or to keep all of your momentos in one place.

@SunnyDayswithJuliette

When I grow up, I want to create travel journal spreads like @Sunny Days with Juliette!  Check out how she includes many types of ephemera (and various styles of journaling) all in one spread.

Examples of "How did you get there" ephemera:

• Plane tickets
• Subway passes
• Cruise brochures
• Rain checks
• Rental receipts
• Highway Brochures in Rest Stops
• Logos

    

@jose_naranja

I love these pages by @jose_naranja!  Jose uses tickets, and logos here to show where he has been.  I really like the hand-drawn logo of the Underground.

@angelagiles

@AngelaGiles creates a spread that uses cutouts to depict the items which she thinks is important about this sea adventure.  Using various sorts of ephemera on one page, the reader gets a full experience of this particular portion of her trip.

With just a little creativity, you, too, can create memorable travel journal spreads.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so use all of the ephemera you like to make your trip one to remember.  After all, this journal is for you and no one else.  Just as unique as your own fingerprint, you travel journal sees the world and your desire for wanderlust through your lens.  I sincerely hope that you can use these sample spreads and all the various types of ephemera in a way that is meaningful to you.  

In the next post, I hope to show you various ways that I have used ephemera in my own travel journal.  Stay tuned, and happy trails!

Creating Your Travel Journal Kit

 In my last post, I spoke briefly on the joys I find while creating my travel journal pages.  I keep my travel journal and my journal kit with me on each journey.  Next month, I will be taking a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico with a friend for my biggest trip in years, so I have streamlined my kit for air travel.  This is the journal kit I will be sharing with you here, but I will include all of my "must haves" for journaling in this post.  

Before creating your tool kit, it is important to decide which what type of journal you wish to have.  Will it be a scrapbook, an art book, a journal, or simply a Bullet Journal comprised of lists?  Only you can decide which journal meets your needs and your desires.  For me, I wanted all three journals in one book.  I like to create art, journal on various prompts, make lists, look at maps, display photos, and gather ephemera to tell a story... my story.  My journaling kit needed to include supplies for all of the above.  I needed a journal that could multi-task in the same way I do.   I chose a medium sized Moleskine Art Sketchbook.  There were several reasons why I chose this journal for everything. 1- The size was perfect.  It is small enough to fit in a day pack but large enough to hold all of my souvenirs and pictures without compromising substance.  2- The paper is thick enough to support painting, sketching, and glue without bleeding.  3- This journal has 88 pages which means I can use it for lots of trips without being too bulky to carry.  4- It has a pocket in the back of the journal where I can keep ephemera and stickers if I forget to carry my designated folder.  (Ephemera is a term that means any small paper, sticker, or momento that can be used to trigger a memory and can be placed in a scrapbook without creating too much bulk.  Examples include receipts, ticket stubs, menus, matchbooks, business cards, and paper wrappers.)

Moleskine Art Sketchbook

My second non-negotiable item was a Bluetooth printer that would print photos directly from my cell phone.  I used to use digital cameras for my trip photos, but cell phones are ubiquitous, and they now take better pictures than cameras.  Why should you pack another bulk device when one does so much?  I chose the Canon Ivy 2 after much research.  My only issue with it is that it has a tendency to wash out people in photos, and I haven't quite figured out the balance of light and dark.  However, it suits my purposes well.  An HP Sprocket is cheaper and scores just as highly as the Canon Ivy 2, so it is completely up to user preference.  Although the printer will fit in the journal kit I created, I do not recommend taking this printer for trips involving airfare.  It is rather heavy and delicate, so I am not going to risk it for my upcoming trip to Puerto Rico.  I can easily print photos to adorn my scrapbook when I get home.  I use the zinc paper with the sticky back for this printer.  I can cut my small photos apart and put them all over the final scrapbook spread.

Canon Ivy 2

The other items in my travel journal kit are all dependent on your preference, your budget, and your interests.  Remember that your items must be easily transported and functional.  Don't waste your space and money on items that you will never use.   When I decided to order a pencil pouch for travel journaling, I purchased 2 separate pouches.  After reading a recommendation on Pinterest, I decided to use one that opened like a book.  This Lihit Lab pencil pouch can be ordered in 3 different sizes.  I am glad that I chose the smallest size because it really limits my space and and forcedd me to choose its contents carefully.  

        

Lihit Lab Pencil Case 

The contents of the pouch demonstrate your journaling type.  I include tools to help me create whatever hits me in the moment.  In a later post, I will show how each item is used to create various spreads.  I like to balance quality with price for each item I include in the kit.  I have no problem paying for quality as long as I know I will use it.  Most items listed below were purchased at Michael's or through Amazon.  Don't spend a zillion dollars on a Faber-Castle pen when you can buy a Micron fineliner for $3 online.  I chose to splurge on watercolor sets.  Currently, I have a beautiful travel watercolor set, but it is too large to carry on an international trip.  I also just purchased a third travel watercolor set for myself for Chanukah.  Finally, I landed on a dot watercolor chart at Michael's for $10.  I cut it in strips using my paper cutter so that it would fit in this functional kit.  If you have questions about items in this kit, feel free to send me a message in the Comments section.

1 - Water brush pen (No specifice brand, but Koi makes a travel water brush pen that I may be giving to myself for Chanukah')

2 - Fine point paintbrush

3 - A masking pen (This lets you cover spaces that you don't want to be affected by watercolors.  Molotow is a great brand for this, but I chose a cheaper version.)

4 - Artist' Loft Watercolor Dot paper (Grab these at Michael's.)

5 - Travel Watercolor set with small paintbrush (This one is a Winsor and Newman Cotman travel watercolor palette, but choose one that fits your purpose and space.)

6 - Sarasa Clip Pen to match the accent colors for the trip (I do this with pens and washi tape.)

7 - Generic Mechanical Pencil

8 - Stabilo Fineliner in matching colors  (I absolutely LOVE my travel set of these pens, but I haven't put them in my Travel Journal Kit just yet.)

9 - Uniball Signo Pen in White (I find that these work better than the Gelly Roll white collection.)

10 - Tombow MONO Zero Eraser Pen

11 - Sakura Micron 01 Fineliner (These write on watercolors without smearing as well as photos.)

A - Washi Tape in Coordinating Colors (Save space by rolling your washi tape on a thick piece of glossy cardboard.)

B - Clear 6-inch Ruler

C - Various Sizes of Paperclips

D - Elmer's Craft Bond Glue Stick

E - Tombow Mono Permanent Glue Runner in a petite size

F - 4-inch Crafting Scissors 

G - Staedtler Eraser

H - Small Pencil Trimmer

I - Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser

J - Strathmore Watercolor Artist Trading Cards  (I use these to capture scenes that may be too large for a journal but too small for a Strathmore Watercolor Postcard, which I also keep in my journal but failed to show here.)

K - Artist's Loft Mini Sized Watercolor Pencils  (I LOVE watercolor pencils.  You can blend colors in ways that you would never know if sticking to plain colored pencils.)

L - Grid Ruled Index Cards  (I use these for journaling responses in my journal.  If you buy the Quadrille Grid Ruled ones, they will be too big to use in a medium sized journal.)

I hope that this post gives you many of the tools that you can use in a travel journal.  When I totaled the cost of all of these supplies, it came to about $150 (not including the journal itself or the Canon Ivy 2 printer or its sticker paper).  Remember that an artist (or journalist in this case) is only as good as her supplies.  I am not a stickler for having the best tools for each job, but I do like to have quality supplies where it really counts.  However, a travel journal should fit the needs of its keeper.   If you are a person who loves to travel as well as keep a journal (or six in my case), then I highly recommend creating this ultimate piece of travel memorabilia.  Every journal is a masterpiece in its own right, and it is uniquely one-of-a-kind.  Now that I have given you a reason to keep a travel journal and a list of my favorite supplies, I plan to create my next post on various pages that a person may compile in her journal.  Please stay tuned to see some of my more unique spreads.  Safe and happy travels!

Musings on Travel

     It has been so long since I sat down to type out a post for this blog.  Over these past 5 years, my mother died, and my family pretty much disowned me. I gained a house, converted to Judaism,  had my adult bat Mitzvah, joined a local synagogue, became guardian to my cousin, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and had a major surgery.  I gained several wonderful friends whom I love dearly.  I have finally found a place where I feel that I have control of my life.  When my mother died, I lost my travel partner and a part of my soul.  I knew that in order to find that place where my heart could not only heal and even thrive, I had to find my way back to traveling.

    My return to travel was very methodical and almost rote.  I decided that I needed to learn how to do things by myself, since my mother and I did everything together for the better part of two decades.  First, it was a meal alone.  Next, shopping alone.  And finally, solo day trips around the North Carolina and Virginia regions.  It took me about 2 years to finally find the courage to venture out alone for my first large trip after Ma passed away.  Danville, Roanoke, Cary, Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem, and Burlington were all on my completed list.  But I had never been to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  That trip was revolutionary.  I spent 5 days total on that trip... alone.  That was probably the longest I had ever been alone in my life.  Yet I wasn't lonely at all.  I went where I wanted, ate what I wanted, and slept as long as my body felt it was necessary.  I shopped and didn't feel awkward asking for a table for one.  My heart filled, and it allowed me enough strength to finish out the year.

    But the traveling wasn't the most wonderful experience: keeping my new travel journal was.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am a planner.  From meals to holiday gifts to floor plans to my wardrobe, I get twice as much joy as each event offers.  Why just have 5 days of a trip when you can enjoy it before, during, and after.  For the novice planner, this probably sounds daunting and a little bit of an overkill, but for me, it just heightens the experience.  The important fact to know about journaling is that it is a evolving practice.  The format changes as does the experiences themselves.  I take what I like and leave those things that don't suit my purposes well.  There are so many satisfying reasons for keeping a travel journal.  It just seemed natural to me to do so.  (I currently have 6 different types of journals, each of them different from the next.)  Honestly, I wish that I had done so sooner!  Now, traveling alone seems as natural to me as breathing and just as important.  

    You can look up the positive reasons for keeping a travel journal on Pinterest the same way that I did.  You can easily have Google pull up pictures of all the interesting journal spreads you can make (like I do!).  However, I encourage you to take what works and leave what doesn't.  The most important piece of advice is to simply start.  Figure out your style of journaling and do just that.  Over the next month or so, I plan to write several posts to help you on your travel journal journey.  From my favorite journal and all of my travel journaling supplies to spread ideas, I hope to offer you a picture of a sustainable travel journal practice to record everywhere you have been and where you wish to go.  Happy and safe travels to all!

Self-Care Rewards

 In my last post, I discussed the importance of self-care and how to start managing your own self-care in your life.  I encouraged everyone to take an active approach to achieving self-care by making a written contract with yourself which focuses on your goals and how you will reward yourself for earning each of those goals.  

Now for the rewards, my favorite part.  I have compiled a list of rewards that complement the self-care goals that I have set for myself as well as those that I encourage you to do.  They range in price from below $10 to $150 each, but each are well worth the money for the amount of self-care they will help provide.  Only you can decide the amount that you are willing to spend on your own well-being.  Plus, as my mother says, you deserve it.

Below $25

Posh Pocket  Adult Coloring Book 

This pocket coloring book is just what you need for relaxing and meditating after a long day.  I have one similar to this one, and I use it not only at home but also when I travel.  Sometimes adults need an activity when traveling in the car along with the kids.

Replacement Lids for Hydro Flask Water Bottle

I don't know about you, but I like to have a choice when it comes to the mouth of a water bottle.  This combination pack has you covered for all of your drinking needs.  

La Raffine Sleep Eye Mask with Removable Gel Pads

I have never slept with an eye mask to block out the light, but I have used them for migraines.  This sleep mask comes with removable gel pads that can be heated or cooled depending on your needs.  I might just get this one so that I have a beautiful backup.

Yogalicious High-Waisted Leggings

I have several pairs of leggings, but none to the caliber of these soft babies.  These leggings are great for yoga, lounging around the house, or getting through security at the airport.

VegNews Magazine Subscription

VegNews Magazine has to be my all-time favorite food magazine.  However, it is not just about food.  It's articles highlight the plant-based lifestyle from food to cosmetics, travel, and more.  I learn something new every time I pick up this magazine.

Moleskine Classic Expanded Journal

Moleskines were my first papery addiction.  I love writing in them, and they are perfect for journaling and reflection.  However, the paper can be thin, so avoid using a fountain pen in this expanded version of my favorite journal.

Less than $50

Homesick Candle

Nothing goes better with meditation than a wonderful candle.  Homesick candles are scented according to fond memories.  I am anxious to try this one which smells of New Orleans (hopefully Uptown and not the French Quarter), my second home and first love.

Gaiam Reversible Yoga Mat

When it comes to the world of yoga, Gaiam is one of the best brands.  Not only do the beautiful mats make you want to lie in the happy baby pose all day long, but they support you fully as you move from mountain pose to downward dog.  I love my own mat that I purchased during my first attempt at self-care during COVID-19 last year.

Daci Women's Rash Guard Swimsuit

If you are anything like me, you burn to a crisp in the sun.  I am sure it is a combination of medications plus the fact that you can use my legs as a night light at bedtime.  In order to keep me from burning to a crisp during outside swimming, I use a rash guard swimsuit with an SPF of 50+.  This swimsuit from Daci has been on my wishlist since summer.  I just love the colors!

Hydro Flash Water Bottle

I have done a lot of research on water bottles lately, and this one keeps topping everyone's list of vacuum sealed, dual insulated stainless steel water bottles.  I am not sure that I can bring myself to pay this much for a water bottle, but I'm worth it, right?

AKK Tennis Shoes

Women's Health rank these tennis shoes as the best walking shoe with memory foam.  At just over $40, it is a steal!  I wish I had done some research before buying my recent pair of not-so-wonderful Skechers Go Walk shoes.  This one will be purchased before my next big vacation.

Greater than $50

Beats Studio Buds

Who doesn't like to listen to music or audiobooks when they work out?  These noise-cancelling ear buds are just what you need for that morning jog on the treadmill or that 6-hour cross-country commute.  

Audible Subscription

For me, nothing excites the brain more than a good book.  While I do not have an Audible subcription yet, I hope to get one soon.  Then I will be able to listen to Harry Potter while reading Harry Potter (not to mention watching Harry Potter).  Sometimes, a good book is all you need to relax the mind and soothe the soul.   One of my friends swears by audiobooks, so why not go with the best source out there.

I hope that you find all of these self-care rewards useful.  Sometimes, not knowing how to reward yourself can be a stumbling block to achieving a goal.  And remember that all rewards do not have to be tangible.  You can work toward a stay-cation or a trip to the spa, whatever trips your trigger.  Just be sure that you have a whole list of rewards for the next time you achieve a self-care goal.