Aug 5, 2022
As I write this, I’m contemplating leaving for an almost 6 week long trip tomorrow. Am I anxious, you ask? Why thank you for asking and YES, I am anxious as hell. I’m nervous, excited, worried, scared, and very much ready to get out of the U.S. for a little bit, despite fears.
I’m all packed up and ready to go… I think? I hope? Can you ever be prepared enough and feel truly secure about traveling through 2 different countries with just a big backpack and a lil backpack that’s more of a front pack
I guess I need to explain things a little bit further. Ya know, this whole newsletter thing that is probably popping into your email very much out of nowhere.
So, I’m technically a writer. I’ve written and published a home decor book, I’ve written a best selling journal series called The 52 Lists project with 5 journals for grown ups and 1 for kids that have sold all over the world, are translated into multiple languages and over 1.4 million copies are in print. I also used to own a retail store that was way more successful than I had ever planned for, and honestly, as equally stressful as it was successful. I started my first online business in 2009 while graduating college with a degree in Studio Art. I opened the doors to my first tiny storefront in 2014 and expanded to my huge downtown Seattle storefront in 2017. I then closed said store in July of 2020 and since then have SLOWED the eff DOWN.
I’m still working on things, creating, making and writing. Just no 60/70+ hour retail work weeks on top of all of the other work I am passionate about doing. Or rather, creating. I’m an artist at my core. I’ve been a musician, I’ve designed multiple jewelry lines and made a number of little and large treasures with my own hands (hello early on set arthritis). I once was in a surf/garage rock band right after college, once released my own folk album when I was 19, and my favorite job of all time was working as an artist’s assistant to a large scale sculptor. I love to decorate and design spaces, especially my own home. And good god, my brain is constantly in creation mode, for better or worse.
I am a writer because I am a thinker and feeler. I’ve got a lot to express and since closing down my storefront, I’ve been word barfing mostly on Instagram. But damn, I’m feeling burnt out on social media, especially as Instagram, I mean Facebook, I mean Meta, whatever app/corporation.
It’s time for a clarifying break. Another start of many. And this fresh start includes a newsletter and 6 weeks of travel.
Aug 6, 2022
After days on end of debating how much to pack, here’s what I ended up with.
5 tank tops, 4 t-shirts, 2 nice collard shirts, 1 pair of jeans, 3 pairs of shorts, 1 dress, 1 silky white suit, 1 jumpsuit, 1 / 2 / 3 sandals, 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of nice flats, 2 hats, and a bunch of other things that I find essential for packing light for long travels.
Here are some links of my travel essential faves:
An AMAZING travel backpack that splits into a day pack and travel bag
Laundry detergent sheets that you can use to wash your clothes in a sink
Stylish noise reducing earplugs
Portable elastic clothesline
Crease Release Spray (You guys, this stuff is so good. Just spray a little on your wrinkled clothes and smooth out, and bam, wrinkle free.)
Compression packing cubes
Paula’s Choice travel sized BHA
Europe travel plug adaptors
Inflatable travel neck pillow (I’ve tried SO many, this one is the best!)
Airplane foot sling (This helps so much with swelling + sleeping on a plane)
Compact travel pill case
Black KN95 masks
Super light Compact duffel bag (I use this for anything I buy while traveling and check this bag on the way home)
Zippered pouch jewelry travel case
Aug 7, 2022
I made it, I made it! Wanna see a little peek into my gorgeous first stop on my travels?
Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal. I also extend that welcome to myself because it’s my first time here :)
Well, this is me signing out for now, folks. It’s happy hour and my introversion time is up. I’m currently spending the week with a pack of friendly folks on the Moveable Feasts retreat with a mostly rowdy crowd of Seattlites and I’ve already been mistaken for a workaholic while I type away on my laptop in the sunshine. I write because it brings me peace and joy. This isn’t work, this is pure pleasure. So yes, even on a trip with a bunch of happy people I more often would rather be alone, listening to the sounds of the streets and writing.
More on traveling as a massive introvert, anti-social retired people-pleaser soon. The best lesson I’ve learned to carry with me while traveling and truthfully, all of life, is, “Just because everyone else is an extroverted chatty American, it doesn’t mean you are. And you owe no one a performance.” To my introverted pals (and especially my friends who are also on the Autism spectrum like me) fill your cup first, then pour one out for the people.
Talk to you through written form soon, bbs.
xo Moorea