This Thanksgiving was a unique one. It was the first time in my life that I did not do anything Thanksgiving-ey. My parents and my sister’s family live far away from where I am now, and flights were a bit too pricey to justify going twice in 2 months. So this year: No family, no boyfriend’s family, no roommate or friend’s family. No turkey, no gravy, no mashed potatoes.
This year, I decided to just do my own thing completely, and escape to a beautiful place I’d never been that was only a couple hours from Boise… Sun Valley, Idaho!
Yes, by myself.
There were definitely looks of confusion when people asked the obligatory “What are your Thanksgiving plans?” question, and heard my answer. Friends, coworkers and neighbors that I told this to would start out with “Ohh, just by yourself?!?” (with a look of pity that I must feel really sad being alone) and then, once they realized I wasn’t sad, in fact I was SUPER excited, they’d shift to… “Umm, you have a gun, right?” (with a genuinely concerned look)… Then, to a generous, “Why don’t you just join our family for dinner and stay in town?”
As sweet as the offers were, I was set on going to Sun Valley.
The best part is that without fail, after pitying/worrying/inviting, everyone I mentioned my plans to would then lower their voice and say, “Man, I am JEALOUS. That sounds… amazing.”
So here is my question… Why don’t people treat themselves to something like this more often?
I get it, traveling somewhere new, especially by yourself, can be scary. Especially during a Winter Storm Warning with “Do NOT Travel” plastered in bright red on every weather/news website. Ha, oopsie! (That did happen… and I am SO glad I didn’t listen to those warnings because um… see picture below.)
But here’s the thing. When you make yourself experience something new and “scary” like that, you are literally rewiring your brain. You’re getting the F out of your comfort zone and OUT of the dreaded auto-pilot, and and creating a NEW experience that you will remember forever. You are doing something that forces you to be PRESENT in the moment because, anytime you are doing something brand new and “scary,” you kind of have to be present.
For example, I found this awesome trail near my Air B&B, and all my senses activated as I explored around. My eyes bugged out at the snow-covered trees all around me. I could smell the freshness, and feel how thin and cold the air was since it was a higher elevation than where I live. My ears perked up as I walked through the woods, listening to the creek, and for animals (also, for humans, because I totally wasn’t supposed to be back there… definitely walked past signs saying “No Walking – Grooming in Progress” which totally was NOT happening considering it was Thanksgiving… #RuleBreaker).
I just felt so, so present. And anytime I truly feel present, I feel alive.
I also captured this which is one of my favorite pictures I’ve ever taken! 😀
So, when you’re on your deathbed, are you going to remember the times you were running on auto-pilot, a.k.a. going to work, watching TV, scrolling social media, and doing what you’ve always done? Or, are you going to remember the unique experiences that caused you to feel present and alive? (I think you know the answer to that one.) 😉
Some things I did that scared me over Thanksgiving in Sun Valley, yet also created some cool new experiences I will always remember:
Went to a movie by myself, for the first time ever – The Mr. Rogers movie, ohh the nostalgia! ❤
Went to dinner by myself at The Covey, and treated myself to a bomb-ass steak dinner
Did my first buti-yoga class with a badass instructor I knew from Denver, named Kelsey. Holy CRAP that was fun, and really hard!
Went skiing by myself. I have skied since 5th grade, and that was my first time ever going alone! As a side note, my first gondola ride up was with this random dude, who ended up being the Chief of Police in Ketchum, and was also from Wisconsin! How funny is that? Another side note… skiing ended up being a bit painful due to the aforementioned buti -yoga. Since I didn’t stay super long, I found a random girl to give my $88 day-pass to since she was just getting there. It felt so freaking good to make a stranger’s day!!
Drove 30 miles north to the beautiful Galena Lodge to get a bowl of chili for my untraditional Thanksgiving day meal
Explored a new town with my camera and enjoyed every second.
So this scary little something you treat yourself with doesn’t have to be big, expensive, or even that significant. It can be something small, like trying a new fitness class you’ve been curious about. Taking a different route home than usual, to see a pretty sunset, or to stop at a park you’ve always wanted to check out and take a walk around. Or you could get your creative juices flowing and take a painting, pottery, glass-blowing class, or a music lesson. Try looking through Groupon… maybe even browse Groupons or EventBrite in another city you’ve been wanting to explore! Just find something that is new, maybe a little scary, and TREAT YO’SELF!
What I’m proposing is that you pick something that scares or excites you, and just go do it. Ready, set, 5-4-3-2-1 and GO!!!
Still need some inspiration? Watch this TED Talk.
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