Create Wealth by Unleashing Adventure

The JULY 2016 | Series No. 3, Issue No. 4

wealth Issue

Take Your Soul on an Adventure with Soul Camp Co-Founders, Alison Leipzig & Michelle Goldblum

ALSO

S E E K N E W E X P E RI E N C ES • EXT EN D AN IN V ITAT ION • DAT E YOUR WIL D SIDE

At The Perpetual You, we believe in choosing, embracing, celebrating, and unleashing who you've always been – who you already are – who you want to be.

Be YOU...the Perpetual You.

The PERPETUAL YOU

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Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.

–HELEN KELLER

The PERPETUAL YOU

L E T T E R from our E D I T O R

I

used to think I knew what adventure was. I had a plan to be a poor, nomadic artist—someone who experiences life, not just “lives.” Life, as it does, took me down a different path.

“going big or going home” here! True to TPY style, though, we’re also demystifying the notion of adventure that makes us feel like we can’t experience it in our daily life or— worse—that we don’t deserve to.

Planning my life as a mother-to-be, I imagined each day as a “brand new” experience. Turns out, motherhood can be pretty darn boring—though there are moments of adventure that I cling to when I’m feeling particularly lackluster.

If you, like me, have noticed a pattern in your life where you expect life to be adventurous and then you’re let down by reality, I invite you to soak up the wealth of experiences that our contributors are sharing this month.

They don’t sugarcoat or undersell adventure; rather, they see adventure for what it is: something different for each of us.

When I started the magazine, my day was full of myriad new experiences; life was compelling, thrilling, enthralling. Now 11 months in, much of my work is routine.

I copy and paste email text, lessening the excitement of making connections.

I standardize and revise article oddities, lessening the thrill of producing content.

If I was still that person who thought adventure meant being impractical and unreliable, then I would be looking for that next big thing right about now. Fortunately, I now know that adventure is a mindset, not a lifestyle.

Don’t fret! This issue definitely pays homage to the beautiful tradition, and often necessary detour, of escaping from life. There’s no shortage of

Let’s worry less about the label and pay more attention to the feeling of abundance that comes when we release expectation and UNLEASH our adventurous selves.

lee lee p.s. Loving the adventure that is The Perpetual YOU? Show your support by making a monthly pledge on our Patreon page.

IN THIS ISSUE

Create

wealth by Unleashing Adventure

realize Untether the restrictions you’ve placed on yourself and your life by journeying farther, seeking deeper, living larger, and adventuring harder.

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dwell Uncover your innermost #designboss by readying the house, planning what to buy, and offering up your home— all before you’ve gone anywhere!

The PERPETUAL YOU

M O N T H LY M U S I C

Going on an Adventure?

Bring our "Let's Just Go" playlist with you!

unleash Unleash your soul on a self-discovery journey like no other–in place of labels and hurt feelings, you’ll find the relentless encouragement of our Cover Story Superstars,

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live

Alison Leipzig & Michelle Goldblum.

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Unhand your preconceived notions of what it means to be adventurous by re-experiencing your town, rewiring your vacation brain, and revisiting your wild inner wisdom.

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SOCIALIZE WITH US

T H E P E R P E T UA L YO U M A K E R S

The Perpetual You wouldn't be possible without the amazing women who collaborate with us. Click on the Maker's handle or website to connect with her directly.

Jazelle Cover Story Photographer Jazelle's Artistry inspires creative entrepreneurs to strengthen their brand by finding power and beauty on and off camera. You can find more of her work at JazellesArtistry.com or on Instagram and Twitter as @JazelleArtistry.

Jazelle The Perpetual You is a place where creatives and coaches can come together to showcase their work and be part of a movement designed to shake up the world. Interested in adding your talents to the mix? Email hello@theperpetualyou.com.

The PERPETUAL YOU

P.K.

Lianne

Walker Sisters

Proofreader

Editor

Staff Photographers

Connect on Facebook.

@hilodaisy

@walkerstudiosllc walkerstudiosllc.com

Sarah

Deb

Willy Wilson

Contributing Photographer

Contributing Photographer

Contributing Photographer

@sarahannayphotography sarahannayphotography.com

@debneele behumbledhn.com

@lifeunstill dayinthelifeunstill.com

Meg

Jayna

Jen

Contributing Artist & Photographer

Contributing Photographer

Contributing Photographer

@MegShah3 meghanshah.com

@jaynacowal .jaynacowalphoto.com

@jenwenzelphoto JenniferWenzelPhotography.com

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SOCIALIZE WITH US

T H E P E R P E T UA L YO U T E A M

Lee Lee

Jessie

Creative Director & Managing Editor

Art Director

The Lee Lee is the #ladyboss of The Perpetual You. A writer by trade, designer by heart, and mother by choice, she seeks intentional practices and a positive mindset. Connect with her through Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Email. If you’re near Hamden, CT, she welcomes you to stop by her front porch.

Jessie is a multi-disciplinary designer & art director striving to make her world more pixel perfect. When she's not poring over mockups, she can be found singing (loudly) in her car or compulsively buying striped shirts. You can stalk her @jessieleiber or work with her at Little Legends.

Brittany

Kirsten

Social Media Coordinator

Senior Designer

Brittany is a social media guru and cabi stylist.

She is often found on her phone curating hashtags or talking the latest runway trends, but also enjoys the perfect mix of chocolate and barre classes. You can plug in with her on Instagram @dressedtt9s or Twitter.

Kirsten is a designer, illustrator, and lover of plants. When she's not creating botanical doodles in the wee hours, she enjoys sleeping, sipping buttery chardonnays, or watching Cary Grant movies. See her whimsical calligraphy & illustrations @KirstenEike.

The PERPETUAL YOU

realize to align your daily practices with your

ever-evolving desires

UNLEASH

Monthly Challenge Seeking New? Join us in The Society for weekly challenges and more.

The PERPETUAL YOU

REALIZE

I need to feel a place while I'm in it.

– VICTORIA ERICKSON

Life experiences are our biggest inspiration. As a teacher by day and artist by passion, I look for adventure each and every day. I have also been blessed to live a full life, with adventuring memories that I can visually express in my artwork.

G

rowing up in an Indian American household, the love for travel was instilled into my life from a young age. The first time I visited India I was only six months old! I travel as an adult because it keeps me humble and—without fail—gives me a new perspective.

Last year, I decided that I didn’t want to settle for having a day job and create art only when I had time. To focus more on my artwork, I planned to seek out daily adventures as inspiration. With this decision, I also made plans to travel, and set out to make them a reality.

In February, I was accepted to an artist residency at the Chhaap Printmaking Foundation in India. For six weeks, I was able to create an entire new series of monotypes, try my hand at painting, teach a workshop to college students, and exhibit in two solo shows. I also got to visit family I hadn’t seen in ages.

I quickly became independent in India: within the first week my native language had improved to the point that I could haggle and avoid being ripped off by vendors. The first time I took a rickshaw by myself, it must have been over 100°. I had a handwritten address in my tiny moleskin sketchbook and was feeling

confident that I would get there no problem, especially since I had been to the same art store the day before!

The driver dropped me off on the opposite side of the road, causing me confusion and some major self-doubt.

I wandered around, completely disoriented, sweat dripping down my entire body, all the while lugging this huge piece of Plexiglas I needed to replace! Thankfully, I recovered and asked my way around and made it to the store. Even a mundane activity of exchanging art supplies can become an adventure!

From India, I traveled to Europe, where I would go through seven countries in a month. An artist residency in Gujarat and gallivanting through Europe with friends are drastically different travel experiences—having these experiences back-to-back provided balance and a greater sense of possibility.

My most impressionable memory from Europe happened near the end of our week in Paris. The rain had cleared up enough to act on our plans to visit Monet’s Garden. After seeing Monet’s house and stunning gardens, we made our way back to the bus

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Start Today Seeking out new, authentic experiences starts with a positive mindset and an open heart. The following are some intentions I’ve set while traveling that have brought me greater adventure.

Get Serious.

Once I adopted the mindset to act on my dreams, I found an artist residency that allowed me to devote my undivided attention to making art while living in a country that was different from my own, albeit one that I was slightly familiar with. Read more about pursuing the grand adventure in our ͞Unleash a New Mindset͟ article.

Put Yourself Out There. stop en route to Paris. Learning that the next bus wasn’t coming for another hour and half, we decided just to walk to the train.

This walk gave us the most gorgeous views, including an entire field of stunning yellow flowers. Witnessing this scene brought me so much peace. Totally unplanned, this activity was the embodiment of all my romanticized notions about France. Even after returning home, that walk continues to bring me inspiration.

Adventure comes in many forms and each comes with its own charm. My time in India was mostly by myself whereas Europe was a vacation with friends, but I sought out and welcomed impromptu adventures in both places. Traveling requires flexibility. I’m glad I opened my mind to new ideas and have been provided inspiration in return.

I’m grateful to have the opportunity to expose myself to not one, but two worlds drastically contrasted to my own! And I’m already planning my next adventure.

Meghan Shah is a teacher by day and artist by passion. She draws inspiration from life experiences rooted in her Indian American upbringing. This leads her to seek out adventure on a daily basis, whether navigating a classroom full of two year olds or making monotypes at an artist residency in India.

The PERPETUAL YOU

Interacting with locals and having authentic experiences helped me understand the inner workings of a world completely contrasted to my own.

In turn, I learned about my own ability and willingness to get along with new people and live familiarly in a new setting. Read this month’s T ͞ reasure Hunting͟ article for tips on having, and remembering, local interactions.

Start Right Now. I’ve even found adventure in the city I live in! By finding opportunities to show my artwork and attend events in New Haven, I have extended my comfort zone, and gotten to meet new people and grow a supportive network along the way. For other ways to find adventure in your own city, read our ͞Small Adventures, New Experiences͟ article.

Keep up with all our book suggestions by following us on Pinterest.

U N L E AS H YO U R W I L D S I D E

Wild

The Complete Poems

Adventures for Your Soul

by Cheryl Strayed, Pub. 2012

by Emily Dickinson, Pub. 1976

by Shannon Keiser, Pub. 2015

Wild—the book—begins where Cheryl Strayed—the woman—ends. At a turning point in her life, Cheryl sets out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail with little more than the desire to face her demons.

Totally unprepared for both the hardships and friendships along the way, she experiences the highs and lows every meaningful adventure is wrought with.

If you’re in need of inspiration out the wazoo, this story—and the searing inner dialogue that accompanies it—is the one you need to read.

Emily Dickinson’s poetry is a lesson on exploring within close quarters. A woman who guarded her comfort zone relentlessly, Dickinson found avenues of adventure in her mental prowess. Her words are a gift packed with meaning and overflowing with nuance, yet simple in its request for contemplation. Or, as she puts it, ͞In this short Life that only lasts an hour / How much – how little – is within our power.͟ If you seek a literary escape, this collection of wild and whimsical words is the companion for you.

Shannon Keiser struggled with tough issues and debilitating depression, but did not stay trapped. Instead, she recognized her power to step toward the light. Hers is a guidebook to forgetting about the ͞shoulds͟ of life, urging us to live out the beautiful adventure only OUR wildly unique ambitions can bestow. As part of that process, the self-imposed walls that stop women from feeling wealthy and happy are knocked down. If you are ready to become deeply rooted in your own adventure story, then this is the manifesto for you.

Radically committed to magical mornings – Micayla is a wordsmith, entrepreneur, and mindset enthusiast living out a decidedly different post-secondary path while eating wholesome plants, drinking black coffee, hyper-organizing her days, and staying up too late working on poems. Lots more online and tweeting cheer from @Micayla_Vranic.

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U N L E A S H A BA S K E T OF

“Feel Good”

Food

The PERPETUAL YOU

Stake your claim to a healthy and fun adventure by bringing along your own food that travels well.

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oad trips are only as fun as the food you eat along the way.

While it’s sometimes exciting to sample local fare, being on the road often means food choices that are, at best, “not that bad.”

Instead of pre-planning each and every stop for food, bring along your own best case scenario and give yourself the luxury to go as far as you want (or stop as soon as you need to).

The intention to eat responsibly doesn’t mean a cooler of PB&J sandwiches! Pack mayo-free potato salad and sandwiches piled high with fresh ingredients that last longer. Kale is a green that travels well and tastes even better (when doused with an oil-based Caesar dressing!). Short on vintage picnic baskets and compostable plates? Just throw leftover to-go containers in a canvas bag. Voila!

Instant picnic.

Modern Meets Manners Thanks to the ladies of Small Kitchen Big Taste for this delicious looking—and tasting—picnic fare! Featured food includes: • Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Sandwich  • Mustard Chive Fingerling Potato Salad  • Kale Caesar Salad and Ciabatta Croutons

Reclaim the feelings of abandon from your childhood, when all you were responsible for was eating the plate of food put in front of you.

Don’t relinquish all control to the open road, though! Travel well and feel full with yummy picnic fare on your own terms.

Feast on gaiety, with a side of sincerity. Share the highs and lows of your past week with each other–these meaningful moments take no preparation and no additional budget. Commiserate with each other's sorrows and cheer each other on. Celebrate the friends in your sisterhood circle. They are the best part of your social life.

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REALIZE

A F L AV O R F U L

Cocktail

The PERPETUAL YOU

Keep up with all of our cocktail suggestions by following us on Pinterest

With a recipe that has been a well-kept secret since the 60s, the Goombay Smash is the perfect excuse to try out a variety of flavors.

M

ost versions of this Caribbean cocktail include several types of rum, mingling with anything from pineapple juice to apricot brandy to banana liqueur. The good news? There’s no wrong way to make this drink.

Turn this drink into a delicious adventure with friends. Experiment with coconut milk, lime juice, and a small batch rum, and mix up a bucket of it at your next pool party.

If you’re traveling, order a boat of it with four or five straws!

No matter the varietal, or the circumstance in which you’re imbibing, this ingredient-rich cocktail is a must have on your next big adventure.

Sarah Locke is a poet by night and a realtor by day. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut where she currently dwells. Her free time is filled with reading, traveling, and following politics (for better and for worse). She loves wine and has never turned down a piece of cheese.

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Unleash

Fluidity The PERPETUAL YOU

Swimming is such good exercise—it’s almost unfair to count it as a vacation activity!

Whether you’re swimming laps alà high school swim team or you’re just hanging out with the kids in the hotel pool, being in the water is both vigorous and relaxing. In fact, just being near water has positive effects. Watching the waves undulate can inspire you to bring fluidity and possibility into your next adventure.

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Product Makers!

Contact us to be featured in a future product spread,

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The PERPETUAL YOU

REALIZE

UNLEASH THE

Open Road Playlist? Check.

Rented Car? Check.

Adventurous Spirit? Heck Yeah!

Not all adventures are found halfway across the world. Sometimes, all you need to do is get in the car and drive. Take a daytrip to the coast or an overnight in the mountains. Bring your favorite gear or don’t bring anything at all! (Well, maybe a little sunscreen...) Fill the gas tank up, turn on the radio, and hit the open road. Whether solo or with a group of friends, your next adventure will be the best adventure yet!

Hitting the open road? Click on the "buy it" link next to the products you love!

1 | Ombre Paper Floppy Hat

by San Diego Hat Company ($25, buy it)

2 | SEEK Leather Traveler's Notebook

by Red Pen Travelers ($48, buy it)

3 | Travel Pouch

by Lou Lou ($12, buy it)

4 | Collection of ͚Road Trip Stickers

by Redbubble ($$2 - $3 /each, buy it)

5 | Instax Mini 8 Camera

by Fuji ($70, buy it)

6 | Monogrammed Camera Strap

by Fotostrap ($85, buy it)

Love Products?

The TPY Marketplace opens on August 1st. Join our mailing list for an exclusive "friends & family" invite.

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REALIZE

UNLEASH A

New Mindset Cultivating daily adventures is meaningful but not your only option. Is the time to set caution aside and see what happens? Instead of just stepping out of your comfort zone, are you ready to drive away from it as fast as you can?

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e talk about the Big Adventure. We set the intention. We even surf for destinations on the internet. How do we go from a fantasy to fruition?

The desire is the seed that motivates you to work towards that dream. The journey IS what matters, and that’s true even in the very beginning.... Manifest your intention by pasting pictures on the fridge of where you want to go or even who you want to be when you get there.

Make adjustments to your spending. Buy only essentials and save for those things you’ll need while living out your adventure. Choosing to step away from the world of accruing things is a challenge, but will create habits that you’ll come to depend upon when you start living your dreams.

Commit to a needs-focused budget. Cancel the cable.

Get a library card. Pay extra on your mortgage each month. Your friends can come over for coffee on the porch. Dinner at home can become a joyous activity, looking up recipes and learning them together. Enjoy the experiences you love without added expenses.

The journey can add a richness to your daily life that you didn't even know was possible. Take that great big

The PERPETUAL YOU

jump forward and B-E-G-I-N. Shift the energy of your life so that you can live gratefully and confidently in the abundance of experiences.

Summer is always enjoying the journey and making the most of the everyday moments. She is the wearer of many colorful hats; a yogi, mom, wife, writer and marketing & education coordinator in the Florida Keys. She is also the lover of really great red wine.

You can follow her island life adventures on Facebook, and Instagram @airabess or #findingmywaylivingthisdream.

Try This at Home Purge Get rid of the ͞stuff that can hold you back. Give extra blankets and clothing to Goodwill. The library will take your excess of books. Be grateful for the place these things have had in your life and then let them go.

Share Telling of your dream gives it life. Make it part of your daily conversations. The more you talk about something, the more committed you become to making it happen.

Host a get together and announce your plans. Let the Universe know how serious you are!

Everything you really want is just on the other side of uncomfortable.

– HEATHER VICKERY

Accept If others can help with your intention, let them. Swap or share childcare with your neighbors. Split the farm basket with another family. Focus on the abundances of your life and realize that there’s enough to go around.

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REALIZE

Unleash a Carefree Attitude

Enjoy living in the moment and adopt a carefree attitude, but don’t leave home without your favorite products—no matter the duration or destination.

We all like to feel our best, even when we are on an adventure.

The PERPETUAL YOU

H

ow do you combine adventure with safe skin care routines? By paring down. Only take the essentials; the last thing you want while out and about is to be weighed down with lots of products. Focus on those products that actually work, the ones you use every day to help you feel your best.

Full size favorites aren’t travel friendly, so make small samples to tote with you. Know that this activity, which can be time-consuming, will create a wealth of freedom later on down the road. Having the products you love in easy-to-use containers will lessen your time on beauty and

BeYOUtiful 1

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Messy Hair, Don’t Care Sea salt spray provides volume and texture without adding weight. Bonus: It can also double as dry shampoo and save space in your suitcase.

* Leigh recommends Beautycounter’s Style Spray or One Love Organics Dry Shampoo.

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Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Conventional deodorants can contain heavy chemical loads making then not so healthy. Instead opt for a natural deodorant that smells heavenly and will keep you feeling fresh all day.

* Leigh recommends Primal Pit Paste or Handcrafted Honeybee.

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Play it Safe Sunscreen is vital to any outdoor adventure, even those that take place in your own backyard.

And yes, sunscreen is a daily use product. Invest in something that is safe for you as well as the environment!

* Leigh recommends Beautycounter’s Protect All Over Stick SPF 30 or Badger ALL-NATURAL SUNSCREEN CREAM - SPF30 LAVENDER.

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let you focus on the fun. Adventure is about exploring— doing those things that make you happy and relaxed–not wondering whether your travel size deodorant is working.

If you do your prep beforehand and bring along only the essentials, you can let your hair blow in the wind and enjoy every minute.

Leigh Schwab is a mother of twins who uses her love for skin care to help educate women about the ingredients in their products and the need for proper skin care legislation in our country. You can learn more about Leigh’s passion for a healthy and simple life on Facebook and Instagram.

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REALIZE

This month’s Self-Care Toolkit

Lemongrass Skullcap Calcite Sulis

UNLEASH

Summer’s Secrets The PERPETUAL YOU

Summer adventures are around every corner - our hearts long to explore the secret spots of our greatest desires while taking refuge in the cool and dark places of comfort.

H E RB

ESSE N TI AL O IL

CRYSTAL

GO D D ESS

Lemongrass

Skullcap

Calcite

Sulis

B E N E F I TS

BE N E FI TS

BENEFITS

BENE FITS

Wards off insects; eases pain

Calms the body and mind

Heals and rejuvenates during illness or pain

Renews desire after pain and sadness

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ummer holds secrets you can only hear when the sun is at its peak. When the nights are like a blanket and the world is wide awake, soak in the energy, dream big, and feel your soul growing and expanding to the corners of the universe.

Lemongrass can become a great friend of yours. Let lemongrass cool and renew – use it as an antifungal, to ward off insects, and ease pain in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Add five drops to one ounce of coconut oil for a soothing massage or rub gently on your skin to keep those summer bugs away.

As one of the best herbs in the mint family, Skullcap’s calming elements are perfect for summer. Rejuvenate by adding skullcap to your tea blends to aid in relaxing the nervous system, or with headaches, stress, and exhaustion. When used regularly for a few months, the effects are improved.

A cooling stone, Calcite helps you make the most of your summer adventures. When gently rubbed over

troubled areas, it minimizes hot flashes and hot pain.

Calcite comes in a rainbow of colors reminiscent of bright summer days. Massage yourself with this stone so you can stay healthy and vibrant all summer long.

Sulis is the Celtic Sun Goddess for all healing waters.

Call Sulis to your aid by meditating near water to amplify your intention. Her message for us this summer is “water can wash away pain and sadness.”

Soak yourself in sea water or fresh water to see the difference it can have on expanding your soul’s desires.

This summer, find that hidden swimming hole, tap into the spring fed glory, explore the deep caverns and caves, swim out so far you can’t hear the world - create your sacred space and awaken your wildest dreams.

Ashley Dees frolics around Saint Augustine Florida, picking herbs, finding herbal remedies, and playing with aromatherapy, tarot cards and crystals. Learn more about her, and how she teaches and gathers goddesses together at her website greenharmonyaromatherapy.com.

ESSENTIAL OIL PHOTOS COURTESEY OF @WILDEARTHWELLNESS

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Unleash Freeing Travel

The benefits of going carryon only are clear—no baggage fees, quick entry and exit out of the airport, and no heavy bags to lug around. So why don't more of us travel lightly?

W

hen my weekly commute started to involve taking an airplane to clients across the country, I was forced to confront my over-packing habit. There’s nothing freeing about lugging a 60-lb suitcase on the London Tube. At first, packing lightly felt unnatural.

My strategy? Packing lists. With a list to keep me in check, I was able to only pack what I planned on, and to only bring what I would need. However, even this didn’t answer my biggest question: Is it possible to travel lightly, and stylishly?

The idea of re-wearing a shirt in the same month, let alone in the same week, is deemed a fashion crime. Throwing away a shirt after one season because it’s out of style, and easily replaceable, is part of a mindset that not only inhibits us from traveling lightly but is also environmentally destructive.

The PERPETUAL YOU

P H OTO BY @ A N N AW I T H LOV E

REALIZE

Style your Adventure Though there’s no one solution to traveling lightly, here are some tips I’ve learned along the way.

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Pick the Perfect Bag. A great suitcase makes carry-on travel effortless. A soft-sided carry-on bag will fit easily into overhead compartments. Spinner luggage with 4-wheels is easier to maneuver, while removable pouches make packing simple and security checks a breeze.

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Plan Your Outfits.

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Light travel begins with a plan. Pre-research weather for your destination, map out all events and start by designing outfits. As a rule of thumb, aim to wear clothing items at least twice (this is why bringing white clothing on a trip is a no-no!) and shoes at least three times.

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Grab a (Stylish) Packing List.

Once you’ve got your outfit plan, add the other travel essentials. You can download fashion-forward packing lists and destination-specific guides online. A few favorites include HerPackingList.com, TravelFashionGirl.com, and HithaOntheGo.com.

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Roll, Don’t Fold.

In my experience, rolling your clothes will not only reduce wrinkling but also save precious luggage space. Even a few extra inches of room in your carry-on is somewhere you can put an accessory or pair of flats.

If we can learn to unleash our creativity and assess whether we truly need something, we can free ourselves from the burden of “more is more.” Living lightly is freeing, traveling lightly is euphoric.

Figuring out that I didn’t need more stuff to be happy was as exhilarating as jet setting to Europe.

Travel often exposes us to experiences and challenges we cannot anticipate. Rather than being prepared for every situation, embrace the adventure of not knowing what will happen next, and be fully present when it comes. The adventure is what we remember the most. Memories, experiences and stories collected through living our lives in the moment.

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Kristi Soomer is an entrepreneur, ethical-fashion advocate, minimalist, and surfer with a serious case of wanderlust. While traveling 100,000+ miles a year, she became frustrated with the lack of stylish travel clothing and founded her own travel fashion line, Encircled. A self-taught designer, Kristi takes traditional silhouettes and infuses style with function to help women do more with less.

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P E R S P E C T I V E S from T H E P E R P E T U A L Y O U PA N E L

What's your ideal getaway?

Short weekend trips – just my husband and me. Our favorite getaway is going to a little German-themed town called Hermann.

They have quaint shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and several wineries. It is great to get away and recharge even it is just for a weekend.

Taking a break is critical to moving forward and staying positive.

This tiny island called Coconut Island off Palawan, Philippines.

It’s so rural, tropical and beautiful. There’s a very laid back, friendly vibe; the people there really care about respecting their environment. It’s a “lights off at 9pm, cut down your own coconut, catch your fish for dinner” kind of place. Being there helped me “reset.”

The beach. The ocean relaxes me immediately, I have many fond memories connected to ocean/ beach adventures (one being getting engaged!), and being in nature just revives me—the sand, the salt air, the sound of the waves, the feel of the sun, walking the beach and looking for shells and rocks is like meditating for me.

Victoria Anne

Rachel

Katie

Counselor St. Peters, MO

Play Therapist Hong Kong

High School English Teacher Arlington, MA

The PERPETUAL YOU

A one-day camping adventure by the beach.

Our favorite spot is the campsites in Morro Ba, CA. The beach is only a walk away; there’s kayaking and huge eucalyptus trees to breath in. To go camping every month was my oneyear adventure goal and it has been one of the best decisions I have made.

Traveling to Israel—a beautiful historically and spiritually rich place. I have so many great memories from my travels there including getting baptized in the Jordan River, walking through the streets of the Via Dolorosa, riding camels in the desert and taking a float in the healing waters of the Dead Sea. What an amazing place.

Any place that involves a log cabin. Peacefulness. A place to slow down from the chaos of life and reconnect with my soul. A campfire.

Connecting with nature.

Solitude. Lazy mornings and hot coffee. Somewhere to embrace the present moment with intention and let go of the need to have all of the answers.

Ashley

Cara

April

Life Coach + Motivational Speaker Paso Robles, CA

Marketing Expert Baltimore, MD

Coach & Branding Expert Houston, TX

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-V IRG IN IA WOOL F

The PERPETUAL YOU

dwell to align your physical space with your

ever-evolving self

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Design Wealth Traveling necessarily involves packing up the comforts of home, and—perhaps— leaving those things behind. Unleash your inner organizational maven (or hire someone!) and make sure all of your belongings are clean and fresh, nicely stacked up or in their proper place. Making the bed and putting things away isn’t about being a Neat Freak; taking care of your things means that you appreciate them and want them to bring you joy for as long as possible. Enjoy your travels and, when you are ready to come home, the comforts you’ve cultivated will be waiting.

The PERPETUAL YOU

- C H RIST IE P U RIFOY

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Treasure-Hunting UNCOVERING MEANING WHILE ABROAD The PERPETUAL YOU

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Because traveling can be one of the greatest experiences in life, we often desire to bring a piece of that adventure home with us–souvenirs that capture those precious times and allow us to treasure the memories as long as possible.

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iscovering new cultures, different architecture, and history is exciting and fulfilling. A hunt for a meaningful token to remind you of that adventure can also be thrilling; however, there’s a distinct difference between a “souvenir” and a piece that is useful while representing the culture it comes from. Perhaps the lines cross a bit, but the distinction often comes in the practicality and authenticity of the object.

When I was a girl, we vacationed in various locations but most often on the beaches of North Carolina and Florida. One summer we found a few pretty pink-bellied shells while wandering along the shore.

However, we then turned to tourist shops to purchase perfect, clean seashells to add to the collection so my mom could fill clear lamp bases for our home. It was an attempt to create meaning out of our experience, but it

just didn’t fit. The lamps didn’t mesh with our Colonialstyle décor, and there was no investment in the finding.

And so those lamps became dusty souvenirs instead of treasures.

Another summer, there were sand dollars everywhere!

My brother and I would sit in the shallow water and dig just a few inches down with our fingers to find these beautiful, round sea urchins. Then we spent hours turning them into Christmas ornaments and other kitschy items for gifts. This was treasure. When I see one of those ornaments on my tree, I remember the warm, salty water swirling around me and the smell of hot glue guns as we turned those shells into something special.

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Fast forward to trips I’m now taking as an adult. I prefer to explore the “real” parts of a city instead of just hitting the tourist traps that show little of the true culture. While there, I look for tokens that can blend with my aesthetic while adding a touch of global exoticness to my décor. My home displays treasure that is both beautiful, meaningful, and practical.

Recently, my husband and I went to Europe for our anniversary. I purposefully left room in our suitcases to bring back found treasures. Scouring an outdoor flea market in Prague that was clearly inhabited by locals only, I found a beautiful old rug with muted oranges and purples that I knew I would treasure. Not only did it fit perfectly with our style and taste, it’s also practical.

Every time I walk across it, I get a glimpse of that culture and particular experience. The grit of the working class in Prague, the buildings that had graffiti next to the ancient towers of the old town, the outdoor

The PERPETUAL YOU

patios with heaters to keep out the autumn chill. The rug brings back so much more than a seashell-covered lamp could evoke. It wasn’t mass produced for the windows of a tourist shop—it was found in the midst of a cultural exploration.

Carefully chosen, useful items don’t gather dust or create frustrating clutter; instead, they bring back happy, interesting memories that engage all your senses. So the next time you’re on an adventure, take the phrase “treasure hunt” seriously. Not only will the item you hunt down be a treasure for your home, but the memory it evokes will be treasure also.

Sarah Sandidge can often be found reading a book. When she’s not reading for fun, she’s reading for work as a freelance editor, which is also fun. Her love for language, cultures and sociology makes people fascinating to her even though she’s a bit of an introvert, albeit a chatty one. When she isn’t glued to a written sentence, she is spending time with her family—mostly taking care of her two beautiful children— somewhere in the heart of Missouri. See how cute they are on Instagram @LulainLondon.

Dwell on This Planning a trip? Here are some tips for purposeful treasure-hunting abroad.

1

Have a place.

Before purchasing a token from your trip, consider where you will put it. Our quaint cuckoo clock from Germany doesn’t gather dust. It’s proudly displayed on our landing wall – a location we’d determined before we made the purchase.

2

Have a purpose.

Intentional design often includes having a specific purpose for an item; this practice is a good way to keep your spending habits in check, even while on vacation.

Consider getting something that reminds you of the locale—an olive dish from Portugal, for example.

3

Be intentional.

Hunt for the perfect expression of a specific experience to make a meaningful connection... A keychain I bought on a work trip to France reminds me of the fresh vegetables and fish on ice and old ladies with market carts.

4

Invest.

Don’t be afraid to spend a little extra on an item you know you will use and love for many years. Great memories are worth a higher price tag. Rugs are a high ticket item, but if you fall in love with one, by all means bring it home!

5

Think global.

Adding pieces from other cultures can add a little spice and interest to your décor. An exotic rug, a sweet cuckoo clock, one beautiful, large conch shell (not a whole lamp-base full!) can bring whimsy and mystery to your space.

Share your Space Use #theperpetualyou + #dwellonthis on your interior photos for the chance to be featured in an upcoming issue!

This month, we'd like to thank @sarahannayphotography for sharing photos of her globally inspired spaces!

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Could there ever be a greater destiny than to be born with a love for the treasures of the sea?

– SUZY TORONTO

The PERPETUAL YOU

Paradise is a State of Mind T H E M I N D S E T O F G E N U I N E H O S P I TA L I T Y

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Words by Lee Lee Thompson; Images by Saray Annay

I’ve stayed in other people’s homes many times: a sublet in San Francisco that turned out to be us sleeping in the bedroom while the owner slept on the couch; a week long stint at the in-laws during Christmas time, one kid in tow; a different week long holiday excursion, at a friend’s rambling house in Jamaica; and countless nights here or there on couches, futons, air mattresses, and—in one case—the bathroom floor. Despite the differences in ambience and circumstances, all of these experiences had one thing in common: they sucked.

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ure, the entire visit or trip wasn’t terrible.

In most cases, the hosts were more than congenial and we felt blessed to not have to rent a hotel room at an exorbitant price. We’ll always choose staying in someone else’s home over the rigidity of a business establishment.

Therein the catch, though: someone else’s home is always someone else's home.

Not mine. Theirs.

No matter how many comforts of my own bedroom I bring along—and believe me, I bring just about everything but the bed itself!—the room will still be foreign, the bed will still be too hard or too soft, the curtains too open, the light switch too far away... Even in the best, most

hospitable situations, I still don’t feel completely at ease. Dorothy was right: there’s just no place like home.

Traveling, by its very nature, takes us out of our comfort zone. In some ways, that’s the appeal.

Unless we become hermits or true nomads (or those people who literally move the contents of their entire house to their summer homes), we are going to be uncomfortable when staying away from home.

As the hostess, the one with the guest room in which strangers will stay, knowing this fact—

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The guest room of one’s home is a part of the homeowner’s space first and foremost.

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How to Take Care of Yourself while Taking Care of Others that my guests aren’t really going to feel at home no matter what I do—is actually quite liberating. Within the intentional design framework, the guest room of one’s home is, like all other rooms, a part of the homeowner’s space first and foremost. All other uses are secondary.

I’m not suggesting we throw hospitality to the curb.* The only freedom that will bring is an empty guest room! How much more adventurous can we be, though, if our design is meant to invite and entice our guests to visit, without the expectations they will never want to leave?

For this free-spirited sense of design, I have a good model – my mother. Her approach to the guest room you see depicted on these pages is one I’ll gladly emulate when designing a space for guests in my own home. As whimsical as it is peaceful, this guest room represents a side of my mother you don’t see in the rest of her more traditional “key west” designed home. The colors are brighter; the energy is lighter. The furniture is more eclectic and the sunlight more abundant.

Taken at face value, this amounts to a playful paradise—the room you want to wake up in when on the world’s most perfect beach vacation. Taken in conjunction with the rest of her house, this room is mysteriously out of character, which is why I love it so.

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I’ve learned a couple other things from my mom in the time we’ve known each other, whether she knows it or not (!). Here are some of the ways I’ve witnessed her take care of herself even while meeting the needs of her guests.

1

It Can Wait.

My mom loves to cook and to clean, but not both in the same span of time. As responsible as she feels for any mess she makes, I've observed her ͞let the dishes sit on countless occasions. Friends and the time you spend with them are more important than the way the kitchen looks.

2

No is a Valid Response.

As frustrating as it can be to her children or grandchildren, my mom has no qualms about refusing offers of activities she doesn't enjoy. Whether playing a game late into the night or visiting every thrift store the Florida coast has to offer, if she doesn't feel up to it she'll tell you so. Though she may sit & watch (& laugh) and she'll certainly go through the thrifted spoils when you return home.

3

Being Yourself Counts for Everything.

A party planner theme-love through and through, my mom's house will always have a wacky theme party on the agenda!

This is a way in which we're alike so I'm easily drawn in, but I've witnessed even the most hesitant of partygoers become at ease in her presence. Why? Because she isn't putting on a show. She's just being my mom.

4

Size Doesn’t Matter.

My mom doesn't need a lot of space to be happy so she'll easily give up the biggest room or take the smallest slice of pie. To her, having people around (for a limited time!) is worth giving up some of life's comforts. She doesn't serve herself last out of obligation; she actually enjoys the act of serving.

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Paradise Changes.

The original ͚perpetual woman, my mom is the first to admit when her needs are no longer being met. After which, she figures out what needs to change. When last we spoke, she was talking about starting a catering business and remodeling a small trailer in which to hosts more guests. All dreams I was happy to applaud. Mom—You’re my chief inspiration when it comes to reinvention. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

Transform your guest room (or bedroom!) into a coastal oasis with our product recommendations on page 52.

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The genius behind these arresting turquoise walls and quaint, painted wicker furniture is that—rather than mask the parts of my mom’s personality that don’t fit into our concept of a mature homeowner—they blow those expectations right out the door. This, my friends, is the land of “there’s no such thing as too many brightly colored pillows.”

Here’s the part where I make a confession.

I didn’t like this room—the concept or the color palette—for pretty much my entire first stay at my mom’s house. Not a problem for her, since the room’s design had nothing to do with me! The challenge, though, was that she had asked me to help her pull the room together, a request I wanted to fulfill.

As the designer, I had to remove my daughterly judgment, and allow for the homeowner’s wishes. As the daughter, I wanted to give my mom a room even a designer would be proud to stay in while on vacation. As the perpetual me? Well, I knew that these two viewpoints had to be reconciled for the room to become the guest room of my mom’s dreams.

After her first marriage of 30 years ended, my mom surprised us all by moving to the beach. Having been born a Midwesterner and raised a landlocked southerner, this move struck me as “crazy.” Not yet having had the good fortune and flexibility that divorce affords, I had no inkling of the factors behind why grown women reinvent themselves. (Now I know better, of course!)

A year later, having sewn her oats, my mother returned to the land of the responsible, also known as New England, where the rest of her family had migrated.

Even back “on land,” the feeling she had explored in that wild and sunny beach town never fully went away. The sea had claimed a piece of her soul, not in the wanderlust sort of way but in the comforting, calming, lapping-of-the-waves way.

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In fact, my mother, who has since moved back to the Oceanside town she once fell in love with, feels calmer just knowing the ocean is nearby. The look on her face when she steps onto a beach is one of perfect satisfaction. You can just see it: she is home.

That look—that feeling—is what she wants to have every time she walks into her small second bedroom.

No doubt, most visitors to her little piece of paradise

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Bright Colors + Eclectic Furniture + Abundant Sunlight = A Playful Paradise

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won’t grasp the legacy behind their room for the night, nor will they understand why there’s no closet (that’s another story altogether); but, they can still benefit from the unadulterated abandon with which this room was conceived.

An abundance of shell-flavored accessories, and abundance of beach bags and sun hats for the taking, an abundance of enveloping color and sunshine—the madness behind all of it is actually a motive so pure that the guest cannot help but feel like they have Arrived. No matter that this isn’t their version of paradise, or even their sense of design, the room is inviting and happy and beachy and—next to their own home—just about as comfortable as it gets.

When the mystique of traveling wears off, as it inevitably does, when responsibility calls us home to our own version of paradise, the room remains. In giving away such a primal piece of her identity, my mother has also procured a place she, too, can go to reconnect with her adventurous oat-sewin'’ self.

Maybe she remembers all of the Malibu rum she soaked up, or maybe she remembers how the sun always shone in that year she lived on the beach. Maybe she remembers the freedom of only being responsible for yourself. Maybe she remembers the cute townhome she rented and the different visitors who helped to make it feel like a home. Or maybe she just remembers the lull of the sea—so close she could almost taste it—and the perpetual pile of flip flops at her door.

Lee Lee Thompson is learning to be intentional, whether mothering, writing, designing, or imbibing.

A true collector and bargain boss, she’ll shop you under the table at the thrift store of your choice.

Follow her journey through pictures, through words, or through her hopes and dreams. You’re also welcome to come hang out on her front porch.

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Stay Awhile What do you want to feel when you travel? Making a guest comfortable is less about the thread count and more about the ambience. Here are some offerings to entice your guest to enjoy their stay and want to visit again.

01

You Have Arrived.

Imbuing a sense of place into your design can be as easy as displaying shells or beach hats, or as simple as a guidebook to the native flora. I still long for a cabin in Vermont we once visited where the owners left out fresh milk and locally brewed coffee.

02

Get Some Zzzzzzs.

03

Welcome to Paradise.

Even the most adventurous vacationers need a place to rest once their exciting day is done. Include a plethora of pillows, lighting that can be dimmed, and a sound machine to help them block out rowdy locals and sleep through any early risers.

Some travelers just need your permission to relax. You can be as obvious as posting a sign that says ͞Welcome to Paradise or you can stock the room with low-stress activities: a collection of beach novels and some lavender bubble bath might be all it takes.

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Keep up to date with our monthly product selections by following us on Pinterest!

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3

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Shop the Look Go Coastal Bohemian in your guest bedroom with designer sheets, a luxurious Turkish-inspired beach towel, and an inspiring rug perfect for shaking off the sand.

Click on the “buy it” link next to each product to purchase.

1 | Sutro Stripe Beach Towel from Coyuchi (from $79, buy it)

2 | Coral Morning Glory Sheet Set from Crane & Canopy ($29-$169, buy it)

3 | Lucky Yellow & White Indoor/Outdoor Rug* from Fab Habitat ($39+, buy it)

Get 20% off your order at Fab Habitat this month by using coupon code PERPETUAL.

Get Featured We love featuring products by small shops and small batch makers. To be considered, send us a note!

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Swimming Upstream corresponds to Benjamin Moore 012

Limitless corresponds to Benjamin Moore 312

Beach Glass corresponds to Benjamin Moore 662

UNLEASH THE BEACH!

Sand Dollar corresponds to Benjamin Moore 1075

This month’s color palette is reminiscent of the best summer vacation: beach umbrella stripes, tropical & fruity drinks, and vintage bathing suits. As bright as it is lighthearted, this hospitable color combo is a treasure trove of fun, flirtatiousness, and frivolity.

Other suggested pairings: Swimming Upstream, Beach Glass, & Sand Dollar.

Pairing these two sunnyside up pastels with the calm & neutral beachy sand color results in a sophisticated color palette suitable for a guest bath, a modern nursery, or a sun-drenched studio.

S. S. Wanderlust corresponds to Benjamin Moore 2143-70

Limitless, Beach Glass, S. S. Wanderlust. This classic color combo will brighten up your 3-season porch or eat-in kitchen; for the tame at heart, counterbalance pops of the yellow and blue in accessories and textiles against clean, crisp walls and cabinetry.

Swimming Upstream, Sand Dollar, S. S. Wanderlust.

The rich hues of coral offer the perfect wow factor to a mostly neutral room. Textiles are the easiest way to bring this bright color in without making a long term commitment.

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Color Inspiration For more ideas & inspiration, follow our Color Palette Pinterest Board.

unleash to align your life story

with your ever-evolving sense of adventure

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W ITH ͞ S O U L C A M P ͟ CO - D I R E C TO R S

MICHELLE GOLDBUM & ALISON

LEIPZIG

Words by Lee Lee Thompson, Images by Jazelle's Artistry unless noted with reporting by LaKay Cornell

Early morning sunshine​​​​gleaming across the lake. Campfires and s'mores under twinkling stars. A friend's arm thrown around us more often than not. Sack races, singalongs, summer crushes. Camp was all about Fun. Freedom.

And—sometimes—camp was the adventure of a lifetime.

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Ali Leipzig and Michelle Goldblum started Soul Camp: The Adult Sleepaway Camp for the Soul.

(That, and the combination of their mutual loves: wanderlust and branding.)

That wealth of freedom is why so many of us became camp counselors: we didn’t want the journey to end. It’s also the reason, in part, why

Soul Camp, though, as evidenced by the name, is about so much more than sheer freedom. Yes, it’s the place you go to get away from it all, and there’s plenty of fun, freedom, and friendships to go around; but this camp is about inner adventure as much as it is external pleasure. This is a camp, well...for your soul.

hich is why, given the chance, most of us would re-live this experience in a heartbeat. Why? Because the rules and routines didn’t outweigh the freedom we felt being away from home. What little responsibility we had was “on hold” for the summer; the priority was having fun, meeting new friends (and seeing old ones), and playing like there was no tomorrow.

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A W E A LT H O F SILLINESS The first thing you notice about Ali and Michelle when you spend any amount of time with them is that they laugh a lot, even when they’re talking business. Their feelings about Soul Camp are infectious. As Ali puts it, they are always “in the camp energy.” Even before they became adult sleepaway camp co-directors, they could be caught randomly singing camp songs.

Now that their days are filled with camp—whether planning for it or directing—they get a free pass to be as silly as they want. Going to camp is their JOB. It makes sense, then, that they “create from a place of joy,” as Michelle says. “When we

find ourselves in fear or frustration, we stop working for the day. We only want to put excitement, joy, fun, and enthusiasm into the creation.” Adds Ali: “We want to show that spirituality and selfdevelopment can be a really joyful, fun process.”

In fact, the “silliness” of Soul Camp is directly related to the opportunity for inner transformation. As adults, we tend to think of happiness in terms of material wealth, whether getting a salary bump or having a pool of well-paying clients to choose from.

At Soul Camp, happiness is both more innocent and more authentic.

“Soul Camp reintroduces true, unfiltered joy—based on no external stimuli,” says Michelle.

That “heightened environment” is one of the many reasons attendees form strong bonds in the course of only a couple of days. Michelle and Ali love to tell stories of campers who couldn’t believe how much fun they were having sober or who laugh hysterically and walk arm-in-arm with people who, up until the day before, were perfect strangers—innocent camaraderie they likely haven’t experienced since going to camp as children.

The way Ali and Michelle describe Soul Camp, it’s like Charlie’s Chocolate Factory meets a 70s disco club: hookups, dance parties, vegetables that taste of candy.

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“Self-development can be a really joyful, fun process.”

(Okay, that last one was an analogy.) But their mutual penchant for silliness and laughter has translated into a life’s purpose that even the most rigid among us would gladly be a part of for at least a couple of days.

A W E A LT H O F S Y N E R G Y Matching each other in their capacity for joy is just one of the many ways in which Ali and Michelle are meant to be partners. As girls, they both went to the Camp Towanda and knew each other’s families, though they weren't yet best friends. Years later, they kept seeing each other at the same events, and the two re-bonded over similar interests: branding, breath work, and flash mobs.

The idea for camp itself came about when they were both on the same retreat and received an email from the owner of the summer camp they’d attended as girls. In response to a group email he sent out, he received the same autoresponder from both Ali and Michelle: ‘healing our family generations in Cape Cod.’ This led to him pointing out that A) they might want to work together, and B) Camp Towanda grounds and facilities were available for rent.

Whereas the camp owner may have been thinking of something small and intimate, Michelle and Ali knew right away they had an opportunity on their hands to go big. “We just got filled with this enthusiasm and excitement,” says Ali, who knew right away it should be an “adult camp for the soul.”

Subsequent plans came together easily.

“Because we went to camp growing up, we knew the exact format of the camp we wanted to do,” says Ali. They each knew wellness instructors who had their own followers, so getting the word out was easy too. Even the naming process—something many entrepreneurs spend hours working on—went smoothly. In a hashtag brainstorming email, Michelle wrote “#camp2.0 #adultcamp #campsoul #soulcamp,” and that was it. Soul Camp was born.

“From there, we went running with it,” says Ali, “and we’re still running.”

By running, she means driving a golf

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cart, leading activities, organizing talent shows. At camp, “we basically do everything together,” Michelle says. In non-camp months, they are “united” but play different roles: Michelle handles Public Relations while Ali acts as Creative Director.

By their own report, working together is a breeze. “We’ve had meltdowns and tears and all that comes with honesty and sharing, but Michelle and I are uber-committed to communication at all times,” says Ali. The best friends, who are both unmarried but in romantic partnerships, carry their “shared vision of Soul Camp” into all areas of their life, from planning “little soul camp babies” together to cheering each other on in their shared goal to balance “ambition and intuition.”

A W E A LT H O F S PA C E Ali and Michelle, primarily, want the Soul Camp environment to be one that both embodies the purity of summer camp and embellishes that experience.

When it comes to rules and regulations, there are plenty—many of which are the same as they were way back when; for example, no technology and no alcohol.

The difference this time around? Rather than prohibit freedom, the rules are designed to provide it.

Getting rid of technology frees the campers from distraction. Says Michelle: “We wanted to create this “live’ experience, where everyone has the ability to connect to each other face-to-face.” Rather than curating an online life, and then relying on it as your shield from reality, the “no phones, no computers” rule allows you to “tuck all that way and just show up.”

“So many of us feel like we have all these people around us,” says Michelle, “but we really don’t.” Being free from distractions, then, leads to the opportunity to form meaningful relationships; labels are replaced with openness and status updates with vulnerability. You can run around in freeing clothes (T-shirt & shorts, anyone?) with no adult paraphernalia, and just live and breathe space.

The decision to not allow alcohol was much the same: to alleviate distractions and chip away at people’s go-to barriers. We’ve all had the kinds of adventures that began or ended with a bucket of booze—that was fun, but Soul Camp is a different. Without alcohol, the silliness and

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PHOTO COURTESEY OF SOUL CAMP

dance parties lead to possibility.

Being sober allows for “clarity,” says Michelle, for the “sacred work” required in true inner transformations to begin.

The best “rule” of Soul Camp is that your inner adventure is just that—yours. “Soul Camp is a ‘choose your own adventure,’” says Ali, “We’re not forcing anyone to do anything. If they don’t want to go to the dance party, they can go talk to a new friend. If they don’t want to go to any classes and just want to sit on the lake in a canoe, that’s awesome.”

The idea that rules can lead to openness has led Ali and Michelle

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to adopt a boundary to keep the different aspects of their relationship separate, and just be present in whatever space they are in. “When we’re talking ‘soul camp,’ we’re talking soul camp; when we're out with our friends, we keep that separate,” she says. Because of this, both their friendship and their partnership remain healthy.

A W E A LT H O F S U P P O R T Another way Ali and Michelle complement each other is through their mutual admiration. Outside of Soul Camp, each has her own branding-related agency, through which they serve the same wellness

community. Ali compliments Michelle’s “genius at seeing the future version of who you are” and Michelle seconds just about any move Ali makes.

These outlets of creativity keep them inspired and in sync.

“Ultimately, it’s all going to become Soul Camp,” says Michelle, “That’s where we’re headed.” For now, though, they support one another’s ability to impact individuals whether in or out of the Soul Camp world.

This compatibility comes from a shared experience of being inspired by the “fierceness” of other women; for Michelle, it was

Patricia Moreno, and for Ali, Gabby Bernstein. Witnessing their “sheroes” stand for what they believe in and put good into the world led to the decision to invite popular speakers, teachers, and instructors to be a part of Soul Camp too.

These influencers offer opportunity and knowledge that attendees would normally have to pay a lot more than that modest Soul Camp fee to partake of. “The tools and resources in terms of self-development and personal growth [are] invaluable,” says Ali. “The awareness from doing that work is a huge source of wealth.”

Understandably, both Ali and Michelle have built a mentoring option into the branding strategies they offer clients, as a way to pass along the inspiration they know one woman can give to another. “Holding the space for women who know they are here for a reason, who want to make a difference,” says Ali, is “important because I wouldn’t be here without the people who did that for me.”

A W E A LT H O F S O U L What about those of us who really didn’t like camp? Like most childhood disappointments, living an updated

PHOTOS COURTESEY OF SOUL CAMP

This culture of empowerment that Ali and Michelle have curated is practically palpable. “It’s a complete life shifter,” says Michelle, “when you have the support of likeminded people around you—there to hold you high when you might not see how high you can go.”

“It’s a complete life shifter, when you have the support of likeminded people around you.”

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Connect with Ali & Michele Ali͛s Coaching Website Michele͛s Coaching Website Soul Camp Website

“LIFE is an adventure.

And I live it as such.”

version can be the perfect reconciliation. If it helps, Ali and Michelle share your pain. “Soul Camp is probably more for the people who hated camp as a child,” says Ali. “Michelle and I had experiences at camp that we didn’t like—feelings of being left out, trying to fit in. That part of growing up that was really hard.”

If you felt less than warm and fuzzy at your last experience of camp, Michelle promises that,

The PERPETUAL YOU

at Soul Camp, “No one’s intense or anything.” From “beautiful accommodations” to the tiedyed experience Michelle and Ali have curated, the space is one in which you will “feel welcomed” and “be taken care of,” and also a place where your childhood self “can heal.”

Though both women readily admit that their most frequent attendees are those who didn’t attend camp, and there’s a healthy tribe of those

who went to camp and loved it, they have a soft spot for those who want to “re-experience summer camp in a different, beautiful, fun, amazing way,” as Ali says. “We create that space to meet [your] people.”

Along with the silliness, the synergy, the space, and the support, there is an accessible spirituality that leads to the Soul Camp experience being one that everyone can enjoy. Unlike their experiences of traveling to faraway places or—in Michelle’s case—being raised by a mother whose spirituality was “out of the box,” Ali and Michelle have honed in on an environment that’s meaningful rather than mystical.

In fact, the “Soul” part of Soul Camp sometimes gets overlooked in promotional materials, which focus on the camp aspect instead. As an added measure of authenticity, the co-directors are planning a series of videos that depict the “real work” that goes on at camp. “Shame and self-worth,”

says Ali, “These are the main things being dealt with.” You cry. You heal. You “dance it off” and “move through to joy.”

When asked about their greatest adventure to date, this sheer, genuine joyful spirit comes through loud and clear. “Honestly,” says Ali, “Soul Camp has been like stepping into the unknown.

Each moment we’re surprised. Seeing its growth, connecting with people, seeing the endless, infinite possibility of what can happen when you bring a group together.”

Though Michelle had at first chosen her meaningful solo adventure to India as her greatest adventure, when Ali brings up the obvious, she’s quick to change her answer. “I know it’s corny to say,” says Ali, “but LIFE is an adventure. And I live it as such.” “Me too!” chimes in Michelle. At which point, giggles erupt, and we’re right back where we started: serious, soulful, and unabashed, refreshing silliness.

Lee Lee Thompson is the Cofounder and Managing Editor of The Perpetual You. Since the inception of this magazine, she has had the privilege to interview and write about 15 amazing women devoted to passionate pursuits.

By telling their stories, Lee Lee hopes to inspire other women to choose, embrace, celebrate, and unleash the best parts of themselves–their Perpetual selves.

Faux Camp Not quite ready for sleepaway camp? Here are a few takeaways from the "Soul Camp" experience you can implement in your everyday routine.

1

Make Some Space. ͞The first rule of abundance is that you have to welcome abundance. That͛s hard to do if you'͛re surrounded by a whole lot of stuff—whether emotional baggage or an actual suitcase packed so full you have to sit on it to get it closed. Opening up your heart to adventure may just mean giving away some of what'͛s getting in the way of having fun first.

2

Dance It Off. If Soul Camp is any lesson (and let͛s just all agree right now that it is!), dancing is the route to all things good and meaningful. Don͛t like to dance? Try other forms of wild abandon. Sing in the shower loudly enough that your neighbors can hear you. Wear two different shoes and see if anyone notices. Skip instead of walking. As long as what you͛re doing is both odd & exhilarating, you͛re golden.

3

Eat Your Vegetables.

Sometimes, we have to ingest medicine along with the sugar of life. Everyone gets tired. Rather than going along at full speed until you just can͛t go anymore, give yourself the space to assess if what you͛re doing is what you really want to do. If not, ask yourself what you can do to make life better. No matter how challenging this process is, the ensuing freedom will be worth it.

4

Be Here Now. Whether you͛'re just starting out on your soulful adventure or you͛ve stopped at a rest area, being peaceful and present is often the quickest way to get back on the road. There͛s a time for doing and a time for dreaming; if you listen to your heart, you'͛ll know which one you͛re supposed to be engaging in right now. Living life intentionally is the path to being alive.

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3 Q U E S TI O N S with...

Ali & Michelle How do you Unleash Adventure in your day-to-day lives?

What aspect of your physical space is the Wealthiest?

What is the connection between Wealth & Adventure for you?

We have monthly "Adventure Days" where we drop everything we are doing to try new things, take new paths, explore new places—like a trapeze class! Fun and adventure are necessary for our personal health, & for the health of the company. We created Soul Camp from a place of adventure; it's imperative that we stay in that state as much as possible!

We often work out of Ali's apartment, which is soaked with light, with birds chirping and large windows streaming in the brightness of the sun. Ali has a mantle that is stacked with our favorite things: crystals, a genie's lamp (that's a different story for a different article!), candles and cards and presents and surprises!!

That mantle is the most wealthsoaked spot of all.

We truly believe that wealth, abundance, and prosperity are all energy. When you stay in the energy of fun, of joy, and of adventure, the money FLOOOOOOWS!!! If you can choose to see building your business—building wealth—as an adventure, you will never be poor.

You will always be in the spirit of excitement, looking forward to the magic ahead!

realize

dwell

live

live

to align your innermost thoughts with your

ever-evolving perspective

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small adventures,

New Experiences Words by Jennifer Sterling

Adventuring doesn’t just consist of leaving work behind and exploring another country for several months, nor of radically changing your surroundings. A wealth of new experiences waits just around the corner – in your own neighborhood, in your own life.

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Sometimes, little things make a big difference...

–NINO VARSIMASHVILI

W

hen I hear the word “adventure,” I think of convertibles with the top down, clear blue skies, warm beaches and having so much fun swimming and surfing that I lose track of time, but it’s been a while since I’ve had an adventure of that sort. My life has become a series of days, one bleeding into the next until I forget what day of the week it is.

Running my own business, raising a child, and dealing with life in general has consumed me.

In the process of trying to do it all, I’ve lost my sense of adventure. I’m too tired to plan a vacation—even though I know I desperately need one. I used to be a dreamer.

Before life became all about paying bills and keeping up with the never ending stacks of laundry and dishes, I wanted to travel the world—Greece, New Zealand, Hawaii, France. I wanted to lay on beaches, surf the best waves, eat an authentic French croissant.

Here I am 20 years later, in a vortex of “adulting,” of existing on autopilot. (My daily routine consists of driving to and from the same places so much that I could do it in my sleep.) The great thing about awareness, however, is that it offers me a choice. Do I

stay stuck in the same cycle, repeating patterns that aren’t serving me, or do I create change?

I’ve decided to create change.

I’m a self-care advocate, and I know taking a break from my day to day grind would be the greatest gift I could give to myself right now. Putting down my laptop, turning off my phone, and taking a walk. I know, it doesn’t sound like the “Eat, Pray, Love” voyage you were hoping for, but bear with me.

There are so many roads in my neighborhood that I haven’t explored, restaurants that I haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing, and people that I have yet to meet. I haven’t taken the time to notice my surroundings or spark up conversations with my neighbors, even though we pass each other at the same time every day on our way to work and to run errands.

Adventure doesn’t have to be about finding myself or having a grand epiphany. There’s adventure in creating the space to be, instead of do—walk aimlessly without

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High on Life When our days are more exciting and life is enjoyable, we’re happier and healthier people. We laugh more, we have more energy and our immune systems are stronger. We have the energy and motivation to keep pushing through each day, and we’re better people and parents because we feel better about life and ourselves.

worrying about deadlines, sit on a bench and people watch for an undetermined amount of time, admire birds and smell flowers, and find a restaurant along the way to sit down and eat, without a reservation, and savor my meal.

You can have an adventure right now without getting on an airplane or spending lots of money. All you have to do is venture outside of your daily routine and be open to the possibilities. Experience life with awareness and openness.

We get to decide how we move through our days. We can create adventures in our own backyard if we’re willing to see things differently. We can choose to take a break from the ordinary—turn down a road we’ve never driven down before or talk to the person sitting next to us on the train. Small adventures—experiencing

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your routine environment in a new way—will make the days more enjoyable and exciting.

Let’s step outside of the day to day grind together.

Let’s commit to less doing and more being, connecting with ourselves and the people around us.

Let’s explore the unknown pathways in the neighborhoods, towns, and cities we live in.

Let’s create an everyday adventure.

Jennifer Sterling is a Certified Holistic Health and Movement Coach, who uses her signature BodyLove Method™ to help women struggling with body image and disordered eating learn to nourish their bodies with food; dance their way through the tough stuff; and, love themselves unconditionally.

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Be featured in our "Vulnerability = Strength" Instagram Collage this coming October by using the hashtags #theperpetualyou + #empowerher.

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U P C YC L E YO U R

Vacation Mindset Words by Katie Lynch

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LIVE

Planning and dreaming. Packing. The excitement in your stomach the night before you take off. Walking in new places, seeing new sights, eating new food, sipping new cocktails, meeting new people, breathing in different air. Ah, vacation!

I

can honestly say I have never ever been on a “bad” vacation. Have I experienced canceled or delayed flights? Sure. Found myself in some yucky hotels, scary camp grounds, or even—once—without a place to stay? Yup. Have I eaten disappointing food on vacation?

Argued while in paradise? Yes, and yes. But these experiences didn’t ruin the entire excursions because I was still on vacation.

and worked tirelessly to save for was not going to be a vacation?

A few weeks ago, a friend and I were discussing the upcoming excitement of summer and the vacations we had planned. At some point, I noticed and pointed out the lack in her enthusiasm in comparison to mine. She paused and said, “Eh, vacation with kids isn't really vacation. It's taking care of your kids, in a different place.”

Do the kids have everything they need?

Say what!? This stopped me in my tracks. Her vacation...the one that she waited all year long for

Paying attention to what other people on vacation feel, think, and experience is a burden of worry, concern, and responsibility for women. Vacation=more stress than rest.

Is my mother-in-law having a good time?

Did I plan enough activities?

Does my sister even like the beach?

Why can’t we ever eat at a restaurant I like?

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Diving into other women’s experiences of vacation and time away, resulted in flashbacks of a time in my own life—one that I may have temporarily blocked out—when vacation actually was, in fact, more stress than rest for me.

I used to take a yearly trip to a beautiful island with a past partner. The setting and the weather were both perfect, but the vacation itself was definitely, at times, less than perfect. We had our fair share of family arguments, as a result of varying personalities with differing vacation agendas. Though we managed to make the best of it, it was needlessly stressful.

Each of us has her own life circumstances that impact how we experience life. We may have children, extended family, or friends we frequently travel with, which can lead to unique challenges when trying to find, peace, harmony, and bliss on vacation.

Maybe the actual planning is stressful. Maybe you often find yourself on vacation with partners or friends who have a very different definition of what it means to be on vacation, leaving you in the position of feeling

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as though, in order to appease others, you have to sacrifice your own wants and desires.

Or maybe you just find that relaxing during your time off is a challenge because of what you’ve left behind: clients you’re worrying about, projects in the office you struggle to stop thinking about. Maybe it’s simply resisting the urge to check our email or voicemail.

Maybe we see vacation as a chance to catch up on work without distractions.

In this way, caring for those around us becomes a distraction—more of the same; another excuse for why we’re behind or unhappy or exhausted. Even if we reserve the self-care feast for the next weekend we go away alone, we can still balance the expectations of others with the necessary downtime to enjoy and relax on our vacations by being intentional before and during our time away.

Start where you are. What is your true definition of vacation? Perhaps your idea of vacation is lying peacefully on a serene beach without any schedule or plan for the day. Or maybe you love to take advantage of every single solitary moment of your precious

vacation time, packing lots and lots of activities into each moment. What are your expectations of this particular trip? What is on your wish list? Clarify this for yourself.

Set an intention. Define your intention by identifying how you want to feel. “At the end of this vacation I want to feel _______.” Then let this be the intention that guides through your vacation. With each decision you are asked to make about this time away ask yourself “Is this bringing me ___________?” or “Is this in alignment with my desire to feel ______________?”

Open a dialogue. Once you define and clarify your vacation intentions, start a dialogue with your fellow travelers. What do they desire for their time away?

How do they want to feel at the end of the vacation?

Share with your fellow travelers your ideals for the upcoming vacation. Create a shared agreement that you will be mindful of one another's intentions and desires for this time away.

Resort to gratitude. Planes will be delayed, children will cry and complain about sand, or water, or the lack of pizza at every meal. Embrace the messy times.

In these moments of bliss-interrupting chaos, pause, take a deep breath, and remind yourself of what IS good. Being with loved ones, or breathing fresh air.

Whatever you have in that moment, take inventory and name what you are grateful for.

Whatever your definition of vacation is, whatever your circumstance might be, and whoever your traveling companions are, you can vacation purposefully and intentionally. You are an amazing, hardworking, vacation-deserving woman who can reclaim her time away in the same manner with which you have reclaimed the rest of your life: intentionally, and one step (or, in this case, trip) at a time.

Katie Rose Lynch, LICSW is a professional mindset coach + psychotherapist and a semi-professional newbie wife. Katie Rose brings compassion, humor, love, and a contagious positive attitude to all of her work and is committed to moving women confidently in the direction of their goals Katie Rose is also rumored to be an avid baker, and blissfully recovering perfectionist who really believes that there isn’t any problem a hot cup of tea and a nice long nap can’t solve.​Connect with her online.​

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The PERPETUAL YOU

J U LY M A N T R A

By seeking out an adventurous life, my inner source of wealth continues to

flourish.

Mantra by Krystal Krystal Brandt, Authenticity Coach, is a soulful, sensual siren who lovingly and powerfully guides high-achieving women back to their innermost desires by re-introducing them to their own intuitive whispers of wisdom. She brings a provocative, feminine and powerful edge to creating deeply connective experiences where vulnerability is invited, divisive walls come down and your truest self comes out to play.

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The PERPETUAL YOU

adventurous Self U N L E A S H YO U R

Words by Christi Daniels

Photography by Jayna Cowal

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Syncing up with your inner wisdom, refueling your energy reserves, and tapping into the creative force within will put you in touch with the feminine, receptive aspect of yourself. In this relaxed state, you can zoom out of our daily life and look with a different perspective. See the patterns; follow the clues; realize a wealth of new ideas, inspiration, and adventures.

O

urs is a hyper-connected, technologically-driven culture, inside which information flows rapidly hurling new possibilities, expectations, and opinions at us. Our tiny supercomputers lead us to believe the world is ours to command when, in actuality, we’re simply becoming more practiced at reacting to what’s flowing down stream.

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We've acclimated ourselves to a new level of “normal” as we check email from our bedroom pillows, return text messages from the bathroom, and listen to podcasts on long walks. Our beautiful moments are paused for a selfie and our meals are documented and shared. The rhythm of life has become so crowded, there are no spaces in between the notes. No time to rest, to stand back, to listen, to reflect.

Once you step beyond the edge of what is known, the edge expands.

PA U S E F O R F R E E D O M .

No matter that living life with constant connectivity and stimulation is unsustainable; the frantic pace is near difficult to escape. We’ve become so focused on what needs to be accomplished, what’s happening around us, and what we should respond to or ignore that finding the energy to lift ourselves out of the swiftly moving digital current and up onto the shore for a few moments of peace and rest is the furthest thing from our mind.

We need breaks, times of rest when we can bring balance back to life.

When was the last time you took an extended break from technology, work, or your life in general?

Reclaiming times of rest and rejuvenation allows us to make

good decisions and be present with those we love. If we pay attention to the signals that our body sends us, we can better navigate the choices of life; stay focused on the tasks that are important; and cultivate connection, creativity, joy and ease.

By taking the time and space to be free, whether a 15-minute coffee break or a week long vacation, we become alive to our surroundings, our senses, our dreams. During periods of rest, hearing the voice of our soul—the whisper of ideas, inspiration, and curiosity— gets easier.

PAY AT T E N T I O N TO THE CRISIS. As a young mom, I neglected my inner voice in favor of tuning in to the harsh spin-cycle demands of a corporate environment. I juggled young children and wishful “Martha Stewart” attempts at home life; balanced college courses with a failing marriage; and managed operations of a 24/7 helpdesk with the world's largest retailer breathing down my neck.

Between self-imposed expectations and the external demands for my

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focus, it was all I could do to jump on the hamster wheel each morning and jump off each night. In rare moments of downtime, I would journal, read, and dream of one day living a life that was aligned with my desire to make big things happen. Rather than acting the part for a particular audience, I was eager to provide value to the lives of others.

Looking back, I see that I was afraid to stop because I wasn't sure I'd like coming face-to-face with where I had landed in life. Rather than resting, I kept pushing. I was even on the phone with my colleagues while in labor at the hospital! Not until I was jolted back to life by divorce did I evaluate the rubble of my life.

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Once I finally stopped to pause, those soulful whispers I'd been pushing aside had my full attention.

I discovered the evidence and the awareness that I was not the worthless human being reflected back to me in the eyes of my former partner. I learned of my capability to be more than I had allowed myself. I cultivated the courage to go on the adventure of becoming my own ally and building a different life for myself and my children.

Will you wait for the crisis to be thrust upon you before taking a break?

How far will you push yourself before seizing the opportunity to get away from your normal, unfulfilling life?

By taking the time and space to be free, we become alive to our surroundings, our senses, our dreams.

FIND THE MAGIC. Do me a favor: search the landscape of your memory for a moment of your life that glows brighter than the others. A stunning sunrise shared with your lover. The late spring evening you created an outdoor dining experience that went into the wee hours of the morning. The freedom and weightlessness as you

bounced on a trampoline or jumped off of the bungee cord platform. The intense connection of pulling your newborn up and out of you and into the world to greet you face to face for the first time.

Moments of wonder vary from person to person, but they are all new, never before experienced moments. Moments in which you

did something different, made a new choice, opened up to a new possibility. Divulged your sense of adventure. Experimented.

Once you step beyond the edge of what is known, the edge expands.

Your next chance for a new magical moment is once again

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outside of what you’ve known and experienced. If we can learn to cherish these moments as they're happening, we cultivate a propensity for regularly traversing into new territory.

and disconnect from expectations— your own and those of the people who surround you. While recharging, be receptive to taking

Life is a collection of small moments, both magical and mundane. Regular periods of rest provide the opportunity to recognize the magical moments while you are experiencing them.

Slow down. Choose a time to unplug

U N L E AS H YO U R A D V E N T U R O U S S E L F.

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that step into your next adventure.

If a part of you is nodding in agreement, but you're also lining up the reasons why you simply can't take a break or get more breathing

space, you’re listening to the part of you who delivers on promises— the self behind everything you've accomplished. The one who says no to the 3rd margarita and keeps a close eye on her children when they get near the deep end.

Love this part of yourself; if it weren't for her you wouldn't have ambition or a wealth of resources at the ready. You couldn’t take a weekend away because you wouldn't have earned that reward.

Date Your Inner Wisdom When bombarded by the thoughts, opinions, and priorities of others day in and day out, the spaces formerly reserved for our private thoughts are no longer sacred. Get back in touch with your inner wisdom by going on a date with yourself!

1 For too many years of my life, I put the needs of others in front of my own. After a particularly rough period of being a single parent with my own expectations hanging heavily as obstacles, I finally awarded myself a position of equal importance.

I decided I had to give into my own dreams and desires.

Had I been single and without children, I would have had a backpacking adventure like Cheryl Strayed in Wild; however, with three kids, a fulltime job, and financial commitments, my solution for taking a break from the excruciating weight of responsibilities was to move our family into a tent in the woods for a summer adventure.

When we moved out of our suburban home and into the tent, it was the happiest summer of my life. Rather than focus on the reasons why my kids and I couldn't unplug from society and get back to nature, I focused instead on how I could make it happen. How could I telecommute from a tent?

How could we have a safe space for the kids to play? How were we going to handle not having a bathroom? How were we going to prepare food?

That was the first summer I included my own needs when prioritizing my life. Giving myself the chance to disconnect from all of the external voices and tune into my inner voice helped me to develop trust in my inner wisdom. I gained confidence in following my soul’s calling,

Plan.

Just as you would with a friend or partner, chose a date and schedule it on your calendar.

Contemplative locations outside of your normal routine—a park bench, a large rock beside a creek, a city fountain, or even inside your car—will allow for true searching.

2

Unplug.

Digital devices just don't have a place where inner wisdom is concerned. Turn on the Do Not Disturb function or put it on ͞airplane mode. For added security measures, make sure your location does not have access to wi-fi.

3

Seek.

What sounds do you notice? What flowers do you see? What scents can you detect? What do you notice in your body? Get comfortable with all five senses, and your inner wisdom will gladly show up.

4

Listen.

Once you've tuned into your surroundings, it's time to listen to what your inner wisdom is saying.

You already know the questions. Now wait for the answers. They are inside of you, whenever you're ready to learn them.

5

Journal.

The act of writing something down means not just that you're committing it to memory but that you're going to follow through on the experience. Use a notepad & pen, or send yourself an email. The format doesn't matter as much as the wisdom you have gained (and want to keep!).

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regardless of external obstacles.

This experience created so many new possibilities for my family; even over a decade later, it continues to inspire me to have the courage to do what appears to be impossible.

EXPERIENCE L I F E A N E W. My middle son, who was seven at the time of our tent summer, has grown up to integrate adventure naturally into his life. At 21, he's already had an urban adventure longboarding and camping along the Pacific coast; gone on extended trips to Virginia, Washington and Oregon; and walked across the state of Arkansas solo, camping along the way.

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Recently, he called me using Facetime to say “Hi,” and asked me to guess where he was. He flipped the view so that I could see he was standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon. He's spiritually grounded, has a compassionate heart, and takes my breath away each time I see him do his next big thing. He is my proof that including my need for rest among the litany of priorities was a good decision. Life can be whatever we choose.

with someone you don't know, deciding to say “yes” to something you've resisted for yourself or to say “no” to something that no longer resonates. Adventure looks different for each of us and discovery will happen in our own ways. Give yourself the space to rest, the time to listen deeply, and the permission to follow your curiosity. Act bravely, and you'll soon be staring down the next great adventure of your life.

The adventurous life is calling: original, unexpected, ever expanding. That call is best heard when we inhabit space outside of the hyper-connected, busyness of the digital stream. Your adventure might be as simple as taking a left where you normally take a right, striking up a conversation

Christi Daniels is a Self-fulfillment Mentor and fierce ally for women who've lost touch with themselves, their dreams, and their desires. Through her Self-Full Living™ program, they learn to navigate the complexities of modern life with more joy and less stress by rooting themselves in honest self-awareness, deep self-trust, and exquisite self-care.

Photography by Jayna Cowal.

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ART BY

Meghan Shah

C O N N E C T W I T H M E G H A N : meghanshah.com or @MegShah3

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