I’ve come to look forward to these monthly posts about what I’m into beyond travel because there’s so much more to my life than where I go, despite the fact that it’s something I love. It’s funny how many people respond with their obsessions or agree with mine! As with last month, I’m sharing the things I’m obsessed with at the moment. Thanks for following along! Be sure to share what you’re loving this month below!
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Reading
I was so excited when a book by fellow travel writer Torre DeRoche came out. I loved her first book and was following her blog as I started to write my memoir. Her latest, A Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World feels like moments from my own mind, but with her signature humor.
It’s been related to Eat, Pray, Love because of similar locations, but is a real, honest look at her life after her “happy ending.” I gobbled it up in the matter of a week! Now I’m finally reading Dave Eggers’ A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, a much-acclaimed memoir that I’m still trying to get my head around. Anything else I should add to my list? To see what else I’m reading, check out my Goodreads Profile here.
Listening
I was recently interviewed about how true crime and somewhat gruesome programming actually help with my anxiety, so now is the perfect time to admit to listening to Cults, a new Parcast podcast. I’m also loving the latest from Miley Cyrus and old-school tunes from Leon Bridges and Ruby Velle and the Stereophonics, a local band I discovered at last weekend’s Project Pabst event!
Watching
I finished watching The Sinner and if you haven’t watched it, definitely do. It’s twisted and crazy, but I was surprised at how much I liked it. I’ve also started watching The Crown, a drama about a young Queen Elizabeth that stars some of my favorite British actors, namely Matt Smith of Doctor Who fame.
I like to re-watch Weeds when I want to zone out and I can’t wait for favorites to come back this month: The Walking Dead, Good Behavior, and Stranger Things! My to-watch list is insanely long, but what else should I be watching?
Loving
I first want to recognize that yesterday was Mental Health Day, which mostly applies to workplaces. But for those of us who are self-employed, dealing with anxiety and other forms of mental disorders can be difficult. It’s important to focus on self-care practices like meditation, healthy eating, plenty of sleep, and treating yourself.
I have trouble remembering to do these things, but a few of my favorite methods are zoning out to a podcast, spending time with favorite people and pets, going to the sauna at my favorite Korean spa, and using a face mask or some other beauty regimen. I’m currently trying out the Erno Laszlo C-Peel, which Influenster sent me.
Working
This month has been testing my mental sanity, to say the least. I’ve been working on a visitor’s guide for a destination I’m fond of and my first story for Fodors (about Wild West watering holes) was published! And I got to let my geek flag fly in this story about my Walking Dead fandom for Explore Georgia.
But I’ve also been working on my first book, which has been stressful. I’m a little over halfway with lots of work left to do, in need of Xanax and a mouthguard to prevent my teeth from grinding into dust. If you want to be the first to know about the book’s release in 2018, sign up for my email list here! See what else I’m working on via my Contently profile.
Traveling
Despite my book being due in a month, I have been traveling frequently. I was in Greenville, South Carolina for a wedding and Euphoria, a food festival and a week later spent five days in Richmond and Charlottesville for research. I’ve got another few days at home before taking my very first Amtrak journey to Louisiana, an item off my 30 before 30 list.
I’ll have a few days in New Orleans and a few more in Baton Rouge visiting a friend. And next month, I’m excited to spend a weekend back in my former home of Charleston for a friend’s big 3-0 and a celebratory trip to Chicago once I turn in my work! Do you have tips for any of these places? Leave them in the comments!
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