I ask only that you take a moment with me. A brief moment to pause, breathe, close your eyes, and reflect. Remember. Remind yourself of our world before the past year, not knowing that we were all going to be entering the most challenging year of our lives. Amidst the unfamiliar days where we hardly can hardly speak to what we had for breakfast yesterday or the last time that we inhaled the fresh air that Earth so graciously provides us with each and every day.
Give thought to how although many of us have been confronted with trials we have never dealt with before, we continue to rise up. Overcome. Persevere. Most of all, we’ve been given the ability to return to what matters most. Connecting with your loved ones. Pursuing your passions. Trying brand new things. Challenging yourself. Better yet, giving yourself a break and taking time to say “you know what? I am enough. I am in control of my own destiny and I will continue my journey in this life”.
It truly is the power in searching for what ignites the fire inside each and every one of us to fuel us into the next day. To propel us forward through the unknown. With all of the moving parts in our life, both my husband and I trying to run two business and balance taking care of our kids, people always ask me how I escape. How do you press the reset button? Clear your head? Find peace? Feel happy again? There is always one word that comes to mind. TRAVEL. I feel the most joy, the most free, and the most myself when I am exploring new places and learning new things. Whether I’m going on a local weekend staycation, embarking on an adventure across the country, or dreaming of the unlimited experiences that simply traveling can bring; it is something that never fails to bring me back to center. When we continue forward and reflect on what truly matters in life, we find ourselves realizing that humans never really lose the desire to connect. To love. To live.
When I travel I like to feel like a local and typically stay in an Airbnb when possible so I truly feel like part of where I’m staying. Airbnb is one of the world’s largest marketplaces for unique, authentic places to stay and things to do. I love finding adventures nearby or in faraway places and access unique homes, experiences, and places around the world. Airbnb offers interactive online experiences enabling you to explore destinations from the comfort and safety of your home.
Where is Airbnb available?
Airbnb is available in 191+ countries. With Airbnb creating a world where anyone can belong anywhere, where the impossible is possible, and your own little world inside of this crazy beautiful life emerges; there is no better source for your next getaway.
I’ll never forget one of my favorite Airbnb experiences this fall reconnecting with my girlfriends. Traveling and vacationing isn’t always about the finest resorts, room service, and community pools. Luxury means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Sometimes, living in luxury means tuning in to the simplest joys of life. This particular Airbnb experience allowed me to appreciate what it really means to get in touch with my soul, my loved ones, nature, and the higher power. The Tennessee Treehouse is located in Smithville, Tn (right outside of Nashville). This incredibly unique, impressive, and overwhelmingly beautiful place changed my mind on how powerful traveling can be. The Tennessee Treehouse offers breathtaking views of the Center Hill Lake cove while providing complete seclusion. We had lunch at the marina, rented a boat, hiked…you name it. It is the perfect getaway to truly disconnect from the crazy in the world. If you ever choose to stay there, the experience you will have is incomparable to anything else. From the comfy large couch to hang with your family or friends to the firepit and hot tub on the porch to the private trails leading down to the lake, we loved it all. Also let’s talk about that sunrise, it’s a rare beauty in itself. It was the perfect weekend getaway I needed with my friends.
Also with Marissa being a Superhost since 2017 and the property ranking at an overall rating of 5 stars, you can take complete comfort in knowing that you’ll get exactly what you’re signing up for. She has also implemented ALL Airbnb cleaning guidelines in regards to Covid-19 and has gone above and beyond to make sure that the space is clean and safe for all of her guests. It’s a must see in Middle Tennessee.
Now, remember what I said earlier about taking that moment? Imagine having unlimited “moments” here, there, or somewhere else. To pause, breathe, close your eyes, and reflect. Remember.
COVID-19 Travel Tips
- Decide on the best mode of transportation for you or your family. Then educate yourself on proper CDC safety tips for the type of transportation you plan to use.
- Stay up-to-date on state and local government travel restrictions due to COVID-19. A list of each state’s department of health website can be found here.
- Anticipate pandemic travel needs:
- Bring enough prescriptions or medications to last the entire trip plus extra for any unexpected changes in travel.
- Keep hand sanitizer easily accessible.
- Pack enough PPE and masks for everyone.
- Bring food and drink for trip to limit stops and potential exposure to COVID-19.
- Pack your own cleaning supplies to clean lodging accommodations before use.
- Frequently clean and disinfect any touched surfaces particularly in your vehicle (seatbelts, steering wheel, gear shift, radio/temperature dials, door handles, etc. )
- Be diligent about practicing social distancing and wearing masks in public. Do not forget the masks. For example they are REQUIRED in Nashville.
- Cancel trip if anyone is sick. Also, make sure anyone who shows COVID-19 symptoms, has been potentially exposed to someone who has contracted the virus, or is high risk individual stay home.
- A tip when taking a road trip: improve ventilation in your vehicle as much as possible by keeping the windows open or setting the air vent to non-recirculation mode.
- Constantly WASH your hands for 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
- Try using AirBNB and property rentals, as opposed to hotels and resorts, to limit the number of human interactions.