Tag Archive for: vacation

Tips for Slowing Down Summer

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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It’s easy to feel like summer is slipping by, but being intentional, mindful, and proactive about how you spend your time can help slow it down.

I hopped on PIX11 News in New York City to chat about my strategies — you can check out the full video here.

1) Spend time outdoors.

Connecting with the natural world is one of the best ways to slow down and enjoy the season. Take a walk in the evening if the day is too hot. Go to the beach for a day. You can even pick a topic to help you lean in — maybe it’s plant identification or bird watching. 

I love the Merlin Bird ID app! If you’re into hikes you can check out the AllTrails app — it’s really useful and lets you filter so you can find a doable hike, no matter your experience level. 

 Or just grab a book and a cold beverage and head to your local park. 

2) Unplug.

Cutting down on your screen time can help you focus on the present moment. As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Seeing someone else’s vacation won’t help you enjoy yours. 

The more time you spend scrolling social media, the less aware you are of what’s actually happening in your life, right now. 

Set a time limit for yourself or even pick a day when you’re going to log off. It makes a big difference in your perception of the world when you’re only looking at what’s right in front of you.

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3) Prioritize hobbies.

Now is the time to pick up a new hobby or get back into something you used to love. Think back to what made you happy as a kid. Was your nose always buried in a book? Did you bring your paint set outside to make watercolors? Or were you a water bug? 

Trying new things is especially helpful when it comes to savoring the season. Learn a new card game or take a class that you wouldn’t have time for in another season. I’ve been obsessed with learning all about Tarot Cards. You’ll be glad you took the time now to dig into a new hobby. 

4) Make time for family and friends.

Summer is time for connecting. Don’t push off that girls’ trip or family reunion. Now is the time. I’ve been hearing great things about the app Troupe — it’s an all-in-one group trip planning app that lets you collaborate with friends and family to pick dates, find hotels, and choose activities. Also check out all my tips here for planning a less stressful trip. 

When you do get together, you can even combine my other tips — head outside with your loved ones, try a new activity together, and leave your phone in your bag. 

For more tips, you can check out my PIX11 News interview.

How are you going to savor the summer?

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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Helping “Future You”

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Thinking ahead is a cornerstone of productivity, right? This concept comes up a lot in relation to work and staying on top of your tasks. But it can be equally powerful when it comes to your personal life.

Yep, I want you to spend more time looking out for “future you.” There are so many ways that prior planning can save you time and stress in the future.

And anything that takes stress out of your life is a win in my book! Burnout is a real thing and if we plan ahead we can reduce it greatly. Here are some concrete ideas for ways that taking action now to help “future you” be less stressed and more efficient: 

Vacation:

  • Block days off in advance on your calendar so you actually take the vacation. If you end up making other plans, use those days as mental health days. 
  • Call ahead to your hotel to have them add in any specific things that will make you more comfortable (empty mini fridge, humidifier, etc).
  • When you return from vacation, refill your toiletries and makeup immediately so you’re ready for your next trip. 
  • Schedule food delivery for the day you get back. That way, you don’t need to run right out to grab groceries.
  • Schedule a cleaning service or clean the house right before you leave so you’ll come back to a clean home. 

Health:

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Fun:

  • Log all birthdays, anniversaries and important dates as tasks on your list. If a gift is involved, put it onto the list for 1-2 weeks prior to that date.
  • Make reservations for hard-to-get into restaurants months in advance and then invite friends for an impromptu treat. 
  • Keep a running list of restaurants to try and books to read so you don’t have to research later.

Household:

  • Sign up for delivery/subscription services for products you use repeatedly in your household. This will vary depending on your needs — it could be dog food, supplements, wines, fresh flowers, or whatever you find yourself wishing could be magically restocked. 
  • Make a “second batch” when you’re cooking meals that freeze well, like chili or meatloaf. That way you’ll have something ready to go on busy nights!
  • Make a cooking schedule for the week ahead with linked recipes so you don’t need to stress over what to cook.
  • Set up a separate email address for retail accounts/anyone who will send you spam emails.

I chatted more about strategies to help “future you” on PIX11 News — you can check out my full segment here.

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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Working Remotely from Anywhere in the World

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For the past six years, travel planner Cassandra Santoro has split her time between New York and Italy. She spends summers on the Amalfi coast, travels throughout Italy in the fall, and then returns to the U.S. for the spring.

Sounds pretty great, right? 

Cassandra isn’t on vacation 24/7/365, though. She’s a successful entrepreneur and CEO of Travel Italian Style. She’s become an expert at working remotely from all over the world.

Now that the pandemic has opened up remote work opportunities for so many people, this lifestyle is more and more feasible. But to make this work, there are more than a few logistical challenges to address. 

Cassandra joined me on my live-streaming show Inside Scoop to share how she does it:

Bring your own WiFi

You might think there will be internet access wherever you go — but Cassandra says that’s actually not the case. She says bringing your own WiFi can help the transition to go smoothly, ensuring you can always log on when you need to. Cassandra recommends buying a Skyroam hotspot.

If the home rental where you’re staying advertises WiFi, Cassandra says you should always check with the host to make sure the internet connection is strong and reliable. Better safe than sorry!

I have lots of other remote office tips in my LinkedIn Learning course “Organizing Your Remote Office for Maximum Productivity” as well. 

Making the space work

Even if you’re in a beautiful part of the world, huddling up in a dark room to work will kill your mojo.

When you’re working remotely from somewhere new, Cassandra recommends buying fresh flowers or even a basil plant to make the space feel homey. She also prioritizes light-filled rentals. 

Consider time zones

When you’re figuring out the logistics of working away from home, Cassandra says it’s important to consider time zones. Will you have to get up in the middle of the night for client meetings? It’s important to ensure that you can do your job without having crazy hours.

When in Rome…

When you’re working from someplace new, Cassandra suggests really immersing yourself in the local culture. For her, that means an aperitivo!

If you want to hear the rest of Cassandra’s suggestions, you can watch our full conversation here!

Checklist to Take Your Remote Office on the Go

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

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If you’ve been working remotely because of the pandemic, by now you’ve probably got some of the basics down — where in your home you work, what your hours are, and what you wear. (Although I have my opinions about the Zoom shirt…)

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How to Have a Mindful Vacation

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BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

When I was on vacation in Cancun, Mexico recently, I took lots of pictures of my friends, my husband, and the beautiful landscape.

Whenever one of us took a great picture, we shared it with the group. 

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