First, let’s clarify a bit. Getting away does not necessarily refer to traveling far away, although my very recent trip abroad has brought this thinking on. Getting away can mean taking a ride to the beach or walking to a park, to a friend’s house, to another town, to another state or………to another country.

A definition of antidote: something that counteracts or neutralizes an unpleasant feeling or situation. We’re talking about anxiety here. Now, let’s be clear. We do not want to completely get rid of anxiety. It helps protect us and to survive. But we can be aware of anxiety and learn ways to lower its volume, in our body, our mind and our spirit.

After 3 years of being in my NYC neighborhood, 2 total knee replacements, Covid, letting go of one career and focusing on another, lots of courses and learning, lots of physical therapy, unending construction and way too much watching of news, I knew it was time to ‘get away’-----physically. Don’t get me wrong; I love my neighborhood in NYC and thank the cafes in my area and people within them, for keeping me (somewhat) sane.

I come from an immigrant family (France), lived abroad (Israel) and love to travel. It is a passion of mine. I’m lucky to have family and friends all over the globe, so I can stay with them. I really missed family. I don’t have much here in the states and I ‘needed’ the warmth, comfort, hugging and love of family. So, I went to Israel for 3 weeks (abroad), attended a cousin’s wedding, ate some fabulous food, walked around, discovered, talked to people, relaxed, visited lots of cafes (my parents were French……) and just enjoyed time away from my regular routine.

Spring was blossoming, the colorful Mediterranean flowers were stunning and the weather was my dream come true (70’s F, sunny and warm during the day and cool at night). I didn’t rent a car, so I had to walk to the bus daily (20 minutes each way), which was great for my post-op knees. It smelled of orange blossoms, a smell that I loved when I lived here almost 40 years ago, and which I’d still like to bottle and take home.

The people are warm, friendly and smiling. Yes; the culture is different and there is more laughing and yelling.  Folks will also take their time to help you and talk.

I’m recounting all this, not as a traveler but as a person who needed to clear her mind, heart, body and spirit after 3 years. I’m not the only one! For me, to help me to change my perspective, I prefer to go away. My way of traveling is not costly but if you don’t have the money to travel abroad, just take a walk or a ride to a beach, a park, a friend’s place in another city, town or state or a weekend away or camping…..whatever best suits you.

Getting away allows you to change your environment and therefore, change your focus. You see different things, you hear (or don’t hear) different things. It did me so much good to listen to less national news and to hear more about what’s happening all around the world. We tend to get ‘stuck’ in our own heads, in our own thoughts and forget that there’s a bigger world out there, that is not only worth seeing and learning about but that can teach us that our specific problems (which can cause us lots of anxiety) are not so big or important as we thought they were. It puts our repetitive, anxious, more negative thinking into proper perspective. It allows you to understand that you don’t need lots of stuff or things to be happy. It comes from inside of you. It’s all around you…….in the smile on a stranger’s face, in the kindness of a person taking their time to give you correct directions, in the beauty of a sea, a sunrise, sunset or a colorful bunch of bougainvillea, in the taste of a delicious pastry (a fabulous pistachio/chocolate one) and a good, strong coffee or in the hug of a friend, family member or new person.

‘Getting away’ allows you to see that your way………of doing, of eating, of traveling, of living, is not the only way and it may not even be the best way for you. You can learn what works for you and what doesn’t, what you like and what you don’t and what you may want to add to your life and what you realize you may no longer need (ie: things, people, etc.)

As a Life Coach NYC and a Mindset Coach, many of my clients (the vast majority) have some kind of anxiety. Yes, anxiety is necessary for safety and survival but, let’s face it, for most of us, it’s not terribly pleasant.

‘Getting away’ in any form is a simple, physical, emotional, mental and even, spiritual release, to change not only your environment but also your perspective and mindset. It can be so helpful for your clarity; really understanding who you are, what you want, what your why (purpose) is and how you can get to these things, in a way that may be different than what you’re experiencing and living presently.

Great; go for it!

Discovery is, in the end, about self-discovery, too. So, get away, see what and who resonate with you, what and where you are made for, even if it’s different than what you were told and were raised with. Your goal is to get to the authentic you……….isn’t it?

Please let me know where your ‘travels’ lead you…………

With smiles and love,

Dr Gigi

PS: Happy belated Mother’s day for those who celebrate (moms, stepmoms, grandmoms, aunts, friends…)!

I look forward to ‘meeting’ you for your Free Clarity Call. Please sign up @www.gigiarnaud.com and also add your email, to receive your free guide: 3 Mindset Hacks for your Best Life and all of my blog posts!

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You are enough!