“Long distance relationships are hard, but they’re also incredible. If you can love, trust, respect, and support each other from a distance then you’ll be unstoppable once you’re physically together.”

-Unknown

One of the many “things” that come with post-grad life and early twenties is “where to live? Who to live with? Where’s my job?”…

For me, this looked like entering a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend of three years. 

As happy as I was for him to be ambitious about moving and trying something new, I was sad. I was also worried. Would the relationship work out? How would we have date nights? Would I need to move eventually? 

Change. That always shakes me up. So many worries. So much doubt. Fear for the future. 

It was hard adjusting to this change. We were no longer a short drive apart or in the same time zone. It was messy trying to learn how and when to communicate and learning each others preferences. There were countless times I cried. Somedays all I wanted was a hug or someone to talk to. I consistently reminded myself that we would see each other soon and the distance wouldn’t last forever. I focused on the good things and learned to find the silver lining. 

“Missing someone gets easier everyday because even though you are one day further from the last time you saw them, you are one day closer to the next time you will.”

-Unknown

“The space between the two of you may be hard now, but over time your distance will strengthen the love that is there. The moments together are the ones you’ll learn to cherish and remember when the time between you becomes longer. I know it’s hard to see now, but the love between you will keep growing, even when you’re apart.”

– Moule T.

Now, here we are ten months later and I’m adjusting to living in the same state. Wait, I don’t need to buy a plane ticket to visit? I have to balance time with him and my friends again? How am I going to get used to this change? 

I trust I’ll figure this out. We managed ten months apart, we can learn to coexist again, in the same place. I intend to continue to cherish the moments we have together, even though they will be more frequent. 

“When they work, long distance relationships are the best sort of beautiful, I think. That a person could wait months, cross miles, and oceans for a few short spectacular moments with the person they love, that’s it, you know, that’s what we’re all searching for.”

– Beau Taplin

If YOU are going through a long-distance relationship, I believe in you. You are strong. Your are capable. You are loved!

I just returned from a busy four-day trip to northern Michigan. It was amazing.

Beautiful. Peaceful. Eventful. 

Day 0: Minneapolis to Grand Rapids

I took a late-night flight from MSP to GRR to have a full first day. You can also fly into Traverse City, but I flew into Grand Rapids to meet with my boyfriend (and because I love GR). 

Day 1: Grand Rapids to Petosky 

• Coffee from Madcap, the best. I usually get the miel with oat milk.  
• Drive to Mitchel State Park. Walk the park to stretch and get fresh air.
• Arrive in Petosky for lunch. We ate at Sam’s Grace Cafe (obviously had to). I wanted breakfast but they were on the lunch menu. It was still good. 
• Walk around downtown and shop at the boutiques in Petosky. 
• Visit the Lavender Hill Farm. We arrived near closing time, so we gave ourselves a tour and went to the gift shop. Be prepared to spend money at the shop. Not a must do (I just love lavender).
• Check in at AirBNB. We stayed at the Ortlieb Farmhouse for two nights. You get what you pay for but the host, Finland (the Bernese Mountain dog), Bear (the golden retriever), ducks, sheep, and location were great! 
• Dinner (wood fired cauliflower crust pizza) and wine flight at Petosky Farms. This was right next to our AirBNB. Beware, vineyards in the area close early. 
• Wine tasting at Gabriel Farms. We were the only people here, so we basically had a private tasting! Great wine. 

Day 2: Petosky to Mackinac Island

• Drive 30-45 minutes to Mackinaw City. 
• Take Shepler’s Ferry to Mackinac Island. We bought tickets in advance, and they offered free day parking shuttle. Very easy. It’s a quick 15-minute ride to the island. 
• Hop off the ferry and walk to Lucky Bean Coffeehouse for coffee. I would plan to eat breakfast before getting to the island if you’re a breakfast person.
• Rent bikes. There are bike rental stands everywhere. You ride bikes on the road – you are now a car! We did the 8.2-mile trail around the island. Flat path (only one hill). We stopped to walk up to Arch Rock on the trail. Gorgeous scenery. 
• Lunch (and more coffee) at Watercolor Cafe. Simple and delicious. A little off the “beaten” path. Less crowded area. 
• Walk and shop on Main Street. Endless stores and fudge! 
• Walk to the Grand Hotel. We did the self-guided tour ($10 per person). 
• Mini golf at the Grand Hotel. Cute little course. Discount when you tour the hotel.
• Walk back to town and get your fudge to bring home. 
• Aboard the ferry back to Mackinaw City. You could eat dinner there. We drove back to Petosky Farms for ours. 
• Ended the night at Gabriel Farms with a glass of wine. 

Day 3: Petosky to Traverse City

• Check out of Petosky AirBNB.
• Coffee at North Perk Coffee in Petosky.
• Drive to Bay Harbor for breakfast at Maple & Batter. 
• Drive to Traverse City. Grab another coffee at Brew. Enjoy the boutique shopping in downtown. Lunch at Mama Lu’s tacos. 
• Drive to Sleeping Bear National Park. Buy day pass at the visitor station. Hike Empire Bluff Trail (around 3 miles total). Stunning views. Climb the sand dunes (about .25 miles up) and admire Glen Lake. We packed towels to take a little nap at the top. 
• Check into Traverse City AirBNB. We stayed in a room close to the city. Good location, clean, cozy. Kelly, the host, was friendly and gave us great recommendations. 
• Drive out of the city about 20-minutes for vineyards. We went to Chateau Chantal. Good view. 
• End the night at Rove Estate for sunset and another glass of wine. Very close to our AirBNB. 

Day 4: Traverse City to Grand Rapids

• Check out of AirBNB. 
• Place an order at Peace, Love, and Tiny Donuts. Walk to grab a coffee while the donuts are being made.  
• Walk on pier and admire Lake Michigan.  
• Grab another coffee from Brew (if you’re crazy like me) and do the final shopping in downtown. We were not hungry for breakfast, but our host recommended Sugar 2 Salt for breakfast and the Rough Pony for coffee. 
• Drive back to Grand Rapids. Keep your eyes open for farm stands with cherries and strawberries! 

Michigan is beautiful. I would recommend adding northern MI it to your summer travel list. Water, shopping, and hiking. Endless beauty. Sights of awe everywhere. 

I’ve officially spent one year working in corporate. Woo! I can’t believe how fast a year goes. It feels like yesterday I was walking downtown to my first day of training. Scared. Excited. Optimistic. Proud. And then there was my first day with my client. I left crying. Not ready to enter the “real” world yet. Not ready to lose summer and my college freedom. One year later and I can say that “I made it” and had a few big wins in my first year too (along with many lessons)…

Lessons:

• Your first job may not be your dream job. That’s okay!
• Having a weekly capacity in hours is a good thing.
• Talk to everyone. Yes, even if they’re your parents age.
• Jump in with two feet. Take on tasks. Say yes.
• Try new things. Go to networking events.
• Talk to everyone. You’ll learn something!
• Take advantage of mentorship and trainings.
• Keep an open mind. See everything as a lesson.
• Find a friend (or three) at work. Check in often.
• Corporate is a roller coster. Nothing is certain.

Tips:

• Keep track of the value you add to your company.
• Be proactive about meeting with your managers.
• Ask a lot of questions. This is how you learn.
• Update your resume frequently (while it’s fresh).
• Connect with team members on LinkedIn.
• Take advantage of activities and trainings.
• Make notes of what drains and energizes you at work.
• Set a few work goals. What do you want to achieve?
• Use your PTO. It’s okay to take days off.
• Find a mentor (at least one). Connect often.

Sweden Travel Thoughts… 

I just returned from a 10-day trip to Stockholm, Sweden. I was invited to travel with my aunt and grandma to visit my cousin who just finished a semester abroad in the charming city. 

Stockholm is the capitol of Sweden. It lies on the Baltic Sea and encompasses 14 islands.  

I loved the old architecture, abundance of cafes, the famous old town, and easy access transportation. The city was very walkable and clean. Everyone was nice. Most people spoke English, too. There is plenty of activities and sight-seeing to do in Stockholm itself, but we did venture to the countryside for a few activities. 

Notes for traveling to Sweden:

• Purchase the SL pass for transportation
• No need for cash; tap to pay with credit card (Swedish Krona) 
• Wear good walking shoes or sneakers 
• People dress cute; lots of linen, neutrals, dresses, and sneakers
• Pack for all types of weather (sun, rain, wind, heat, etc.)
• We had 8 full days which felt a long; I would recommend 6 full days
• The tap water in Stockholm is safe to drink 

Travel

From MSP airport, it takes about one full day to arrive to Arlanda International Airport. We took a flight from MSP to JFK to ARN and arrived around 8 a.m. Sweden time. We were fortunate to have a family friend pick us up from the airport, but there are plenty of public transpiration options. 

Transportation

Stockholm has great public transportation. We bought a seven-day SL card which gave us unlimited access to the trains, busses, and boats. It’s easy to navigate with a little help from Google or the SL app. 

One day we took the commuter rail to Upsala and did need to buy a day pass for the UL busses although it is also walkable depending on where you want to visit. 

Because we had a family friend in Sweden, we were picked up in a car from the airport and did a day trip to Trosa and Södertälje via car, but driving in Stockholm is uncommon. 

For two of our excursions, one to the Archipelago and another to the Drottningholm Palace, we took a Stroma boat tour. I think there is an option to take the SL bus or train to these locations, but we wanted a tour and more of an experience. 

Accommodations

We stayed in a penthouse in Södermalm with two bedrooms, one loft (where I slept), a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and balcony. It was a lovely place, great location, close to the train, and had a great neighborhood near food and grocery store. 

Places

• Gamla Stan 
• Archipelago 
• Djorgorden 
• Upsala
• Drottningholm 
• Trosa & Södertälje 

Restaurants

I was lucky to have had a few homemade meals on the trip. Although there were many options for eating out, I wasn’t impressed with all the places were went. The best Swedish meatballs, in my opinions are from these two restaurants. 

• Meatballs for the People
• Pelikan 

Cafes

FIKA is a large part of Swedish culture. It means to have coffee or a coffee break. It’s about sitting down with family and friends to enjoy coffee and something sweet. My FIKA’s were often paired a Chockladbollar.

• Fabrique
• Vete-Katten
• Panem
• Bröd & Salt
• S:T Paul Bageri
• Café Lillia

Shopping

The shopping in Europe is next level. My favorite areas to shop were in the T-Centralen Area (for chains) and Gamla Stan (for boutiques). 

• Monki
• Arket
• Zara
• H&M
• Åhléns

Museums 

I determined that personally I’m not a museum person, but I still wanted to share.

• ABBA Museum 
• Skansen Museum 
• Drottningholm Palace
• The Royal Palace
• Upplandsmuseet
• Old Uppsala Museum 

Overall, I would recommend visiting Stockholm for its architecture, cafes, and shopping. 

When people tell you time flies, they’re not lying. 

One year ago, in May 2022, I graduated from a small liberal arts college in Minnesota with a degree in communication and business. 

Reflecting, post-graduation has brought about many big changes. 

• Moved back to home with family, dog, and never-ending chaos. 
• Started project management consulting full-time job; two clients. 
• Turned my side-hustle into an official LLC and experimented with pop-ups. 
• Bought my first “new to me” car. Sold the high school car. 
• Entered a long-distance relationship. Made it work. 
• Dropped of the parents’ insurance plan. Hello, adulting.  
• Traveled to three states and three countries. 
• Balanced full-time job, two side hustles, friendships, and alone time. 
• Turned twenty-three (and twenty-three and a half, too). 
• Worked out, nourished my body, and meditated consistently. 

Lessons learned:  

• Be intentional about planning time with friends. Life is busy. 
• You may not fall in love with your first job. That’s okay. 
• We’re all just figuring it out. Welcome to the roller coaster of life. 
• Give yourself grace, lots of it. 
• Never stop learning. Follow your passions. Try something new. 
• When in doubt, Google.
• Moving back home is an adjustment. Living with family is different than friends.  
• Try, try, and try again. Failure is inevitable. First attempt in learning. 
• Take advantage of every opportunity (and every trip). Say yes. 
• Get smart with your money. The best day to start investing was yesterday. 
• It’s okay if you feel lost or don’t have it all figured out. Nobody does. One step at a time. 
• Take care of your mind, body, heart, and soul. Find what sustains you. 
• Your life is yours, not anyone else’s. You know you best. Trust you. 
• Believe people what they tell you time flies. It does. 
• Find a mentor (or two or three). Connect often. 
• Imposter syndrome… yup, it’s real. Adults trust you, it’s a crazy thought. 
• Your degree isn’t everything. Can you communicate? Solve problems? Work hard?
• Do what you can with what you have. 
• Trust the process. Enjoy the journey. Life is happening now. 
• Find a hobby outside of work and going out with friends. 
• Trust your intuition. Let it guide you. Quiet the voices you don’t trust. 
• Let go of the past. Literally, let go. Clean out your closet. Get rid of it. 

I still can’t believe I’ve been out of college for one year. It’s crazy how much can change in 365 days.

I look forward to seeing what life brings me next. 

Ugh, I hate change. Well, it’s a love/hate relationship. I know that change is good, but it’s still hard. It’s tough to see the benefits that come with change in the moment, but with time it’s easier to see.

I’m challenging myself to see all change as a new beginning. A new change. A new opportunity.

Stepping into the unknown is scary. Saying goodbye to the old is sad. New beginnings require patience and trust. 

Benefits of change:

1. Personal growth
2. Adaptability
3. Improvements
4. Reinforces values
5. Small changes lead to big changes
6. Progress
7. Opportunities

Tips for entering a new beginning:

1. Feel the feelings. Process. Say goodbye. Cry if you need. 
2. Make a gratitude list from the past. Be thankful for the lessons and people.
3. Embrace the beginning. Jump in with two feet. Ask questions. Be curious. Learn. 
4. Give yourself grace as you settle into new places and routines. It’s going to be uncomfortable and maybe a little scary.
5. Lean into the habits and routines that feel normal. When you feel unsettled, lean into the activities that ground you. 

Journal prompts for change:

1. Identify three emotions you have been feeling recently around a change in your life. Write down the ways they have shown up in your behaviors and conversations.
2. Do you like change or find it difficult? Explain why.
3. If you don’t like change, list some reasons you might be resisting it. Then list three ways that you can embrace it more.
4. Is what’s changing in your life important to you? Why or why not?
5. List any obstacles that might be holding you back from change right now. Now list three realistic ways you can overcome each of them.
6. What do you wish to gain or experience coming out of a current change you’re going through? What are three goals you want to accomplish from this change?

Benefits of Change Adapted from: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/10-powerful-benefits-of-change-why-embrace-it/

Journal Prompts Adapted from: https://www.localoptimist.com/blog/stories/yryqbxeaaogt5iou

What I learned from a 30-day no spend challenge

I just completed a 30-day no spend challenge. 

Yes, you read that right. Thirty days of NO spending.

I followed the You Need a Budget (YNAB) More Money Challenge. At first, it was a bit overwhelming, but it was a great reset and brought about a lot of awareness around my current spending habits.  

Here are my biggest take-aways and lessons learned that you might benefit from. 

The Rules: 

1. Track your spending. 
2. Only buy essentials.
3. No dining out. 

What I Started With:

Once I understood the no-spend assignment, I listed a few exceptions and set my intentions for the 30-day challenge. 

My spending exceptions included activities with friends, work dinners, and wellness appointments. I value once-in-a-lifetime experiences, quality time, and health so I made exceptions for these areas. I encourage you to make your decisions in alignment with your values. 

My intentions for the challenge were to identify my spending triggers and save the money I would be tempted to spend for an upcoming trip. Setting intentions will helped me stay motivated during the challenge. 

“Budgeting is not a shackle of spending limits but a reminder of what’s important to you.” -Unknown

Things I Learned in 30-Days:

1. Identified the “triggers” that motivate me to spend money. 
2. Find a partner to support you through the challenge. You’ll want to spend. 
3. Pause. Wait. See if you remember the item in one week. 
4. Check in. Are you being influence? Or is it a need?
5. Identify your personal and money values. Spend money in alignment with values. 
6. Flex your discipline muscle. Test yourself. Challenge yourself not to spend. 
7. Use what you have. Do you really need “X”, or could you use something you have?
8. Make a list of the things you want to buy. Revisit later. Is this a want? Trend? Need?

Money Triggers:

Trigger	Action
Tendency to online shop when bored	Pause
Influenced by social media influencers	Unfollow
Email sale campaigns	Unsubscribe

“Buying ‘things’ you don’t need steals from your future self.” -Unknown

Spending Check-in Questions:

1. Am I buying this to fill a void?
2. Am I emotionally heightened?
3. Will this purchase spark joy?
4. Is this purchase aligned with my values?
5. Am I buying this because it’s on sale?
6. Do I like and enjoy this?
7. Is this a need or a habit?
8. Is the quality worth the price?
9. How many hours of work will this cost?
10. Am I being influenced to make this purchase?

Money Resources:

1. Free Challenge: YNAB Money Challenge
2. Book: Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap
3. Podcast: How to Stop Emotional Spending
4. Account: @breakyourbudget

“Every dollar you spend has a trade-off: It comes at the cost of not spending that dollar on something else.”  -Unknown

As an avid reader and self-development junkie, I’m often asked what books I recommend for young adults. Well, here they are. A list of nine personal development books for twenty-somethings.

The Defining Decade by Meg Jay

Our “thirty-is-the-new-twenty” culture tells us the twenty-something years don’t matter. Some say they are a second adolescence. Others call them an emerging adulthood. Dr. Meg Jay, a clinical psychologist, argues that twentysomethings have been caught in a swirl of hype and misinformation, much of which has trivialized what is the most defining decade of adulthood.

Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

In this book, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans show us how design thinking can help us create lives that are both meaningful and fulfilling, regardless of whom or where we are, what we do or have done for a living, or how young or old we are. The same design thinking responsible for amazing technology, products, and spaces can be used to design and build your career and your life, a life of fulfillment and joy, constantly creative and productive, one that always holds the possibility of surprise. 

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

Daring Greatly is about courage. In a world where “never enough” dominates and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. It’s even a little dangerous at times. And, without question, putting ourselves out there means there’s a far greater risk of getting criticized or feeling hurt. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena – whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen. 

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

Wolfpack by Abby Wambach

In WOLFPACK, Abby’s message to women is: We have never been Little Red Riding Hood. We are the wolves. We must wander off the path and blaze a new one: together. 

She insists women must let go of old rules of leadership that neither include or serve them. She’s created a new set of wolf pack rules to help women unleash their individual power, unite with their wolf pack, and change the landscape of their lives and world: from the family room to the board room to the White House.   

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Soulful and uproarious, forceful, and tender, Untamed is both an intimate memoir and a galvanizing wake-up call. It is the story of how one woman learned that a responsible mother is not one who slowly dies for her children, but one who shows them how to fully live. It is the story of navigating divorce, forming a new blended family, and discovering that the brokenness or wholeness of a family depends not on its structure but on each member’s ability to bring her full self to the table. And it is the story of how each of us can begin to trust ourselves enough to set boundaries, make peace with our bodies, honor our anger and heartbreak, and unleash our truest, wildest instincts so that we become women who can finally look at ourselves and say: There She Is.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

Brené writes, “This book is an invitation to join a wholehearted revolution. A small, quiet, grassroots movement that starts with each of us saying, ‘My story matters because I matter.’ Revolution might sound a little dramatic, but in this world, choosing authenticity and worthiness is an absolute act of resistance.” 

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

In this inspirational book by the late world-renowned bestselling author and self-help pioneer Louise Hay, you’ll find profound insight into the relationship between the mind and the body.
Exploring the way that limiting thoughts and ideas control and constrict us, she offers us a powerful key to understanding the roots of our physical dis-eases and discomforts. Full of positive affirmations, this practical guidebook will change the way you think forever!

BONUS: Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap

Featuring journaling prompts, deep-dives into the invisible aspects of the financial landscape, and interviews with experts on everything money—from predatory credit card companies to the racial wealth gap and voting with your dollars—Financial Feminist is the ultimate guide to making your money work harder for you (rather than the other way around). 

Author Note: Book synopsis copied from author book description.

My experience and recommendations 

I just returned from a beautiful vacation in Antigua (an-tee-ga). Here’s a run-down of my time on the charming 108 square mile island. 

To start, it takes almost a full day to fly to the island from Minnesota (no direct flights). Eight total days (six full days) wasn’t long enough. It felt like we were just settling into our vacation when it was time to pack up and leave. 

Accommodations: 

We stayed at a VRBO rental in Jolly Harbour, a village on the west coast. It’s home to restaurants, fruit stands, one market, boat services, two beaches, pool, golf course, and security. Our rental villa was located near the North Beach (quiet) and about a 1.5 mile walk to the South Beach (active). We had five miles of safe road to walk and run between the channel and beaches, all of it beautifully landscaped with gorgeous island flowers. The area also has a security check points throughout. We felt very safe. The rental included a “buggy” aka golf cart which we used as our transportation in Jolly Harbour for the week. Although the buggy took a while to “warm up” it was wonderful to have and served us well. The house had two bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and patio on the harbor channel. Just as we learned how to work the air conditioning, we lost water for two days. We’d later learn this was common on the area and most houses have backup systems – except for our house. So, we went without showers for a short time. The rental was also old and had about three U.S. standard outlets – which isn’t typical on the island. You get what you pay for; invest in a slightly nicer villa on the channel, because the area is worth being in. Despite the minor setbacks, the beaches, food, and experiences made up for the accommodations. 

Transportation: 

For starters, I wouldn’t recommend renting a car if you’re from the U.S. as 1) cars drive on the other side of the road and 2) the roads have no rhyme or reason – easy to get lost. We used a taxi service to and from the airport. Jolly Harbour was roughly 40 minutes from airport. Prepare for “island time” when passing through customs. 

We met David, native to the island, who would become our driver for the week at South Beach through Alex (reflexologist we also met on the beach). David took us on a full-day taxi tour around the island and answered all our questions. He also drove us to Shirley Heights for music, views, drinks, and dinner (more on that below). 

Food: 

Homemade meals:

Lobster – Sandra’s son (of Sandra’s Beach Shop Bar and Grill), Sherwin, cooked us a delicious lobster, rice, and salad meal from our house. 12/10 shared experience.  

Supermarket – The market had every provision we needed for the week. Our favorite was the coconut yogurt and granola. 

Fruit and Veggie Stands – There were a few fruits and veggie stands in the harbor. Use the EC dollar or you will get shorted. Sweet potatoes and papaya are a must. 

Sailboat meal – The sailboat tour provided us with an authentic chicken, rice, beans, and mac and cheese meal. 

Restaurants: 

Akropolis Greek – Skip this. Bar tenders didn’t know drink orders and manager was yelling at employees. 

The Curry House – Not a must, but good. Large portions. Satisfied my want for shrimp. Waiter was nice. 

Al Porto – Italian and seafood. Pizza was good, but we went for sea food, and they were out of sea food. Nice view of the harbor. 

Petal’s Café – Go once for the experience. Petal cooks all meals from a stove behind the counter. Coffee included a delicious cookie. 

The Pop-Up Beach Bar – Only go for the free beach chairs. Expensive and the food isn’t great. Order drinks (get the ginger lemonade mocktail and add vodka). Nice bathroom option.  

Clean Food’N Jooce – Small food truck. Once we discovered, we didn’t stop going. Great healthy food, juice, and smoothie options. Lovely person taking orders. Hours are questionable. 

Shirley Heights – Hire a taxi and go for the evening. Live music on Sunday and Thursday. Great views. Authentic food. Lots of options. Great experience. 

Sites: 

Jolly Harbour – We stayed in this area. We had two lovely beaches – North and South. North beach was quiet – we loved the sunsets here. South beach had more resorts, food, and chairs. 

Fruit and Fish Market – We stopped here on our tour. Good for shopping. More for locals. 

Fort James – Important site to see. Good tour stop. Beautiful water views. 

Dickenson Bay – Gorgeous beach. Bar and restaurant. Busy, Sandal’s is located here. 

Devil’s Bridge – Stunning rock formation. The waves were calm enough to walk across.

Shirley Heights – Amazing view of the English Harbor and Nelson’s Dockyard. Fun atmosphere. Go at sunset on a Sunday or Thursday for live music and food. 

Turner Beach – We could have spent all day here. So many shells and sea glass, perfectly smooth. We were mesmerized. 

Activities:

Beach – No need to pay for chairs and umbrellas if you buy some food from the restaurants on the beach. There are vendors on the busier beaches, but they are respectful.

Walking – Pack your tennis shoes. We had five plus miles to walk and run in Jolly Harbour plus endless beach between harbors. Very safe.  

Shelling – On Turner Beach and the shells on North Finger were unheard of.

Sailing – The sailboat private tour was by Denzil and Treasure Island.  For the price, this was incredible. We were on the boat, Jai Jai. 

Snorkeling – Abundant reefs. Tolerable water temperature. Not too wavy. We had the whole reef to ourselves. We saw lots of coral, fish, conch, and stingray.

Watching sunset – Having scenery that includes green rolling hills, sailboats and beach makes for the best sunsets.

Taxi tour – a great way to see the island. David from Sandra’s was our guide and driver. 

Weather: 

Great temperatures aside from two rainy days. We used the air conditioning at night but enjoyed the light breeze during the day. 

Tips:

1. Use the Eastern Caribbean (EC), not the U.S. dollar. Cash machines were plentiful.
2. Jolly Harbour was casual. Resort wear not necessary. Pack light. 
3. Prepare for frequent power and water outages. Be flexible. 
4. Plan for at least eight full days (ten total days) at minimum. 
5. Talk to the locals around the villa, beach, and resort areas. They are helpful. 

“If you are willing to open up, ask questions and take advice from locals, you will be completely taken care of.” – Tiffany

Overall, Antigua was a wonderful island. I can’t wait to go back to the land of sea and sun.

How often do you slow down long enough to let yourself think, process, and plan?

The other day, I was trying to make a decision and had this thought… How am I going to make a decision if I don’t slow down to think about what I’m actually trying to make a decision about?

Rushing, working, creating, and doing is all great but doing these things isn’t actually helping me solve the problem at hand.

Journal Prompts:

Where in your life do you need to slow down?

What decisions do you need to make?

How can you add intentional “thinking” time do your life?

“To find the answer, you have to pause to think.” -Grace