Scenic Sensation: Some of the Most Picturesque Places on the Planet to Visit

January 26, 2019

As the saying goes, life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take, but the times our breath is taken away. And there’s no quicker way than to have your breath taken away and be left truly awe-struck than by seeing some of the world’s most incredible scenery. It’s one thing to see these views in books or on tv, but it’s something completely different to see them with your own eyes. Want to visit some beautiful, scenic places? Here are three for you to consider.

The Lake District, United Kingdom

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The lake district is located in northern England, and is a mountainous region which truly offers some of the most stunning scenery in all the country. It’s recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s not difficult to see why. Friar's Crag is an iconic Lakeland viewpoint which looks down Derwentwater. Down in Derwentwater (a little further out of the way) is Ashness Bridge and Surprise View which both offer spectacular viewpoints across the lake and surrounding fells. You also have Buttermere, a real photographer's paradise, the distinctive 'Buttermere tree' is fantastic for a shot with an interesting foreground, and a classic Lakeland image. You can have fun out on the spectacular lakes enjoying canoeing, kayaking, rowing or paddleboarding. Go on a bike ride, or visit one of the tree top zip wiring adventures on offer. You could go bird watching or just hike to see the views. If you’re an experienced hiker or know the area then you could set out on your own route, or you always have the option of joining in with one of the walking tours offered.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

The classic circuit trek around the Annapurnas is an incredibly varied and exciting journey. Dramatic deep gorges, bleak high mountain passes, flame-red rhododendron forests and crystal-clear alpine rivers can all be taken in. You have ancient teahouses and jagged Himalayan peaks, picturesque farming villages and view of the Annapurna summits at every turn. It’s consistently ranked as one of the top ten treks in the world, and it’s cheaper to do than Everest too. The Annapurna Circuit is a demanding trek and not for the faint of heart, but if you’re up for a challenge and want to seek some of the most amazing views you’ve ever seen then it’s one to consider.

The Grand Canyon, USA

Whether you view the grand canyon from above in a helicopter or from one of the national parks, it’s a sight that will quite literally take your breath away. It’s hard to imagine just how something like this could exist in nature, an immense gorge carved by the Colorado River over the last five thousand years. The layers of colourful rock capture the passage of time, with some of those at the bottom being over a billion years old. Some of the most popular viewpoints are Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio and Mather Point, don’t limit your views to just the southern rim.

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Why Travel Is So Good For Your Health

January 25, 2019

When people think of travel, the first words that usually come to mind are “vacation,” “great food,” or “beach.” But although the modern definition of travel is based on the idea of having a rest or a break, that wasn’t always the case. In fact, travel once referred to an experience that helped you to define yourself, seek better health, or develop your mind and body.

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Modern science has investigated whether traveling can be good for your health and has thrown up evidence that yes, it indeed can be. So how does travel help?

It Improves Grit

Grit, or the ability to withstand challenging situations and persevere through them, is something that’s becoming increasingly rare in our society. There’s a sense that people don’t have the resilience to deal with life’s problems that they used to have.

Travel, however, helps develop grip because it forces you to rely on yourself for your needs. Nobody is going to book that next train or ask for directions: you have to do it all yourself.

It Can Boost Satisfaction

Flickr Credit: www.pixael.com/en/shop

What’s the difference between happiness and satisfaction? Behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman says that happiness is the feeling of pleasure you experience in the moment when you do something that you like, like eat a bag of chips. Satisfaction, on the other hand, is that feeling you get when you reflect on something that you are glad you achieved, even if getting there wasn’t a happy experience. Examples include getting into shape: you feel satisfied that you lost weight and toned up, but you certainly weren’t happy while you were at the gym or eating brown rice and broccoli.

Travel is a similar kind of experience. You might not feel happy every moment that you’re on the move, but at the end of it, you’re glad you did it. You feel good that you achieved what you set out to do, boosting your confidence and sense of self-worth.

It Boosts Mood

Although daily life offers certain rewards, they can become mundane. What was once the perfect job or relationship becomes stale over time, and eventually can lead to dissatisfaction. According to Allan Berger & Associates, chronic health issues can also lead to pain, both physical and emotional.

Travel helps you get out of a rut. It’s not a substitute for medical intervention, but it can be used in conjunction with therapy to give you a new perspective on life, jolting you out of your malaise.

Studies show that when people travel, they experience a reduction in stress. A study published in 2013 showed that after two days traveling away from home, more than 80 percent of people reported a decline in feelings of tension and anxiety. Travel takes you away from the triggers of stress and gives you a sense of liberation.

Travel Enhances Cognitive Flexibility

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Because travel exposes you to new situations, it forces your brain to come up with novel situations. Scientists have found that travel boosts your ability to solve problems and think flexibly. It also stimulates creativity.

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December Caravan Re-Opened After Holiday/Winter Break

January 23, 2019

I am so excited to share that the December Caravan shop has re-opened after being on holiday for the holiday season and annual winter break. I know that there is always the constant debate in small business world about taking time away from your shop. But this is and was a decision that I came to many years ago when the shop first opened as a healthy and balanced decision for life.

I know that there is always the constant debate in small business world about taking time away from your shop. But this was a decision that I came to when the shop first opened (in 2013) as a healthy & balanced decision for life. I always find that the time away gives me a chance to spend time with loved ones, explore the world in new ways, & connect deeper with the people in my life.

In doing so, I find that I am more creative & my brain is flooded with new & fun ideas. Every year when I re-open the shop after time away I fall in love the creative process in expanded ways.

I am sometimes asked how to "keep going" in Etsy world after so many years (this is the 6th year that my shop has been open) and my advice is the same and simple: love deeply the people that are in your path in BIG ways, love your life (no matter the season), be inspired by your everyday life, and keep persevering each and every day, don't compare to others, and most of all remember to have a healthy work/life balance.

I also want to add... stay strong in the struggling & difficult seasons. Struggles of owning a shop will always ebb & flow... this past year I encountered new ones that I had never experienced as someone I had known for a while started stealing my designs & original ideas (changing them "a bit" to fit their style, but the concept was stolen). It was discouraging to say the least. I was honestly speechless that someone would do this (despite hearing that this has been done to countless others).

It was such a hard situation & if you have encountered this I am truly so sorry, but keep going. Keep pressing forward & stay strong in the difficult because there is such beauty on the other side.

Thank you again for all of your support of my shop! A portion of all of the proceeds goes to charity - specifically supporting deployed soldiers, which is a cause near to my heart. Thank you again for all of your support!

Happy Wednesday sweet friends! You can check out all of the new items and head to the shop by clicking HERE!

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Top 10 Pinned Travel Posts this Past Year

January 22, 2019

Happy Tuesday friends! Today for my "Travel Tuesday" post I thought it would be fun to round up my top 10 most pinned travel posts on Pinterest currently. I did a similar post to this in September 2017 (you can read it HERE if you are interested), but as I was looking back I realized that a lot of the top travel pins had changed since that time.

Sometimes in the day -to-day aspects of blogging I forget that it has been six years (TOMORROW!) of writing here on the blog and it is so interesting to see what people are pinning and inspired by! I am so grateful to each of you who continue to read, leave comments, and have supported the blog over the year and in the everyday aspects of the blog. You are so sweet and such a blessing!

So without further delay- here are the top 10 most popular pinned travel posts from Pinterest currently:

Pinterest Pin #10- What to Pack for An Alaskan Summer Road Trip

This post was so fun to write because I was so excited to visit Alaska for my first time! When I first decided to take the writing job about a road trip through Alaska in the summer I was so excited that I didn't think much about some of the practical details that would come with this trip. It had always been a dream of mine to go to Alaska (I even wrote on the blog in the summer of 2017 about why you should dream about a trip to the Last Frontier) and to see it come to fruition had me giddy with anticipation. As time continued though I started to think practically about what to pack for an Alaskan summer road trip. If you are looking for a practical list for packing for an Alaskan Summer Road Trip then check this post out!