Packing, Planning, and 100+ Hours of Preparation
Final details, and a white crane’s reminder to rise above worry
#19
The seasons are shifting. The days are shorter, mornings and evenings are cooler here on the lake, and the final details are falling into place.
I’ve easily spent over 100 hours planning this journey, and most of the time I absolutely love it. As Tim often says (and I fully embrace): this is my superpower. Researching, booking, flights, details — it lights me up. We literally have the entire world at our fingertips. It’s simply a question of where we want to explore next. What a blessing to have the freedom to do this — and what a conscious choice it is. We could stay in one spot in the States for six months, but for the same cost, why not see the world? For us, nothing feels more exciting.
This past week was full of life’s “lasts” before the road: a dental cleaning, returning clothes and shoes, and an overnight with my dear friend. I also took my parents for a night at the lake so they could experience it — such a gift to share that time. We ate delicious food, laughed, and had hours of conversation on the drives. Meanwhile, Tim has been wrapping up a summer of house projects. Now the final countdown is here: less than a week until our feet hit the adventure streets.
I’ve booked everything through late January. I wanted to use this quieter space at the lake to plan ahead, so I can free up more bandwidth for work — and for simply soaking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the journey once we’re out there. I’ll plan more as we move along, but this is a wonderful, solid start to get us going.
One companion has been with me almost daily: a beautiful white crane. Sometimes it circles the lake, and sometimes it sits just 20 feet away on the dock, feeding me its energy. Its grace and presence remind me to rise above worry and old patterns. Lately I’ve been practicing what I call “higher expression, lower expression.” When I feel my energy spiraling down, I pause, reconnect with Spirit, and invite my energy upward. Almost instantly, lightness and peace return. Especially in this season of eclipses (for those of you that follow astrology) and change, these simple practices keep me rooted in joy.
Packing is still underway. This trip will bring a wider range of temperatures — not all tropical this time (hello, Istanbul on New Year’s Eve!). A sweater takes up more space than a t-shirt, so leggings will replace jeans, and I’ll add in layers on the road as my vitamin bottles empty and free up room. It’s all part of the puzzle.
So yes — a shorter blog this week, as the last days of preparation begin. It’s an energetic release of one chapter as I shift into nomad mode again. More change, more movement. But the truest home is always within. I can take this with me wherever I go.
And if you feel stuck or stagnant this week, maybe borrow a little white crane energy. Spiral it upward, let Spirit lift you, and see what unfolds.
To your highest and best,
Dianna
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