The 4 ingredients you need for a MEscape

We’ve all done it. Checked into a hotel, kicked off our shoes, and plopped down on the plush bed. No kids. No partner. No friends. No one except yourself.

Then suddenly, your mind goes blank and your bucket list becomes a faded memory.

You’re not alone in this scenario.

We live in a hustle culture and have fallen prey to always being on. The downside to #alwayshustling is that we stop prioritizing our wellness. And when we stop ranking wellness, we stop being the best version of ourselves.

Personal experience = meaningful change

For years I didn’t walk my talk. I went from expat to business owner to mom to single mom to empty nester. Yes, I visualized escaping my day-to-day to live out a fantasy weekend filled with bubble baths and peace and quiet. Yes, I watched many a friend book staycations, yoga retreats, or girls weekends. Yet something was holding me back. Something was prohibiting me from acting upon my daydreams. Why was everyone and their mother enjoying time away and I wasn’t?

About two years ago, I reached out to a life coach who got me thinking about who I am. She had me list the top 10 things that make me happy. Then she had me list when and where I am happy. Finally, she had me list 20 things that I like and dislike about me. I now had a 360° evaluation of myself and a vantage point to move forward. And that’s when I made a promise. I decided to own my goals and live from a place of authenticity and courage and create me-time versus settling on my status quo.

I was excited to chart a new path. Moreover, I was excited to share my aha-moment. Fast forward to early 2020. I became a certified lifestyle and travel coach with the aspiration of helping women like me reach their goals through travel.

Life is funny like that. This unassuming life trajectory from a few years back led to what I deem my “calling” which is curating MEscapes for clients.

Importance of uninterrupted me-time

I’m the first to admit that my go-to is to prioritize everyone else’s needs before my own. “Parents, especially mothers, don’t take enough time for themselves as they feel a sense of responsibility to manage their home and their work life,” says Sahara Rose De Vore, an Intuitive Wellness Travel Coach and the founder of The Travel Coach Network. Likewise, she says, the idea of taking time away and disconnecting from anything work-related also brings on a sense of regret.

Guilt aside, there are many reasons why people don't act on their desire to take a holiday or a weekend break. Sahara Rose notes that wanting something and doing something are two separate things. One reason, she says, is that most people aren't sure what to do. “Not everyone is a travel expert or is confident in their getaway planning skills. Thinking about what to even do on a holiday can be overwhelming since people aren't always in tune with what is triggering them to want to get away in the first place.”

As a life and travel coach, one of the things I work on with my clients is how to say yes to yourself. And by saying yes to yourself I don’t mean giving yourself permission to escape to a spa or hole up at a boutique hotel. I mean acknowledging the intention behind your need to get away.

“When you take time to self-reflect and tune into the source of your stresses, worries, concerns, and more, you will gain clarity on what needs to happen during your time away to help you improve your mental and overall wellbeing,” says Sahara Rose.

But most of all, Sahara Rose advocates taking the time to sculpt and create a transformative experience that gives you the motivation to make changes or improvements in your life upon return.

If you’re contemplating a trip that matters, here are four ways to put a MEscape on your radar.

Plan a micro getaway

According to several studies, even the planning phase of a trip boosts your happiness endorphins reveals Sahara Rose. Indulge in some armchair travel and explore a change of scenery. Start researching destinations, accommodation, activities, whatever. Let your imagination go wild even if you don’t have the funds to support a lengthy getaway. Research conducted by Boooking.com uncovered that 80% of survey respondents felt more excited when they just looked at a map and chose places they’d like to visit.

Rewire your brain

Once you commit to a MEscape, the next step is to shift your mindset by getting to the root of why this time alone matters. Visualization is powerful stuff. Rather than think about the destination, think about the goal. What are you missing in your day-to-day life? What do you want to do or learn or accomplish? What about getting away will make you happy? What do you envision from a MEscape? How do you see yourself afterward?

And to bring your dream to life, Sahara Rose suggests creating a vision board that focuses on where you want to travel, how you want to feel, and what goals (short- and long-term) you have in mind. Once you set the intention for your aspirations let your creativity flow. Surround yourself with images and words that encompass your ideal MEscape.

Craft an itinerary

Look at your first MEscape as a launchpad for future time away. You don’t need to pack it all in one weekend. Go back to your why and choose one or two goals that are the most important. Do a bit of legwork and then map out your day. Consider activities that fit your day part personality. If you’re more inclined to be social in the morning, plan public activities such as going to a museum or sitting at a café to people watch. If you’re more of a loner in the afternoon, book a spa treatment or take a soothing bubble bath.

You may be wondering about the importance of locking in activities. Well, it holds you accountable to your goals. Accountability is a means of tracking success – it creates a sense of ownership that enhances your ability to achieve your desired outcome. Simply writing down your plan of action is enough to transform your dream into reality.

Keep that mojo alive

The most important thing to remember is maintaining your “MEscape high” well after you return home. Making a change in your life is not a one-off deed. It should be a forever action that drives you to regularly reflect on your goals. Jotting down your emotions and thoughts into a journal or scrapbook is a way to recall your challenges and victories. You can also document your success through photos.

So, there you have it: The healthiest thing we can do is to take a step back and consider how we can take care of ourselves.