Getting the bounce back in my step in Bermuda

Just was talking to Dr. Lana Staheli, PhD, a Seattle-based life strategies coach, for a story I'm doing on life coaching for a health magazine. I met her several weeks ago at Cambridge Beaches Resort in Bermuda.

Our interview reminded me how much has changed in my life because of my "life balance" retreat with her at the secluded, luxurious oceanfront resort. One of the biggest new developments is my launching this Coastal Voyager website to share my journeys in a personal way on an ongoing basis. I'm also planning to hit the road intensely beginning in August for a tour of the coastal U.S. and Canada with the goal of gathering material for my first book. I'll still be visiting the Caribbean and other coastal international destinations as well. You can follow my travels here.

Before my visit to Bermuda I was floundering a bit wondering about what new strategies I needed to employ in the down economy to kick-start my freelance business. Like other journalists and freelancers I know, my pocketbook has been hit hard by the recession. It's become ever more difficult to maintain an apartment, and frustrating to make those monthly payments because I'm often on the road on travel assignments anyway.

Talking with Dr. Staheli on the beach in Bermuda, looking at where I was and where I wanted to be, I got a whole new perspective on my life. My biggest lesson was that in my obsession with trying to make more money I wasn't taking the time to refresh and replenish myself with activities like walking and getting together with friends. Because I have gained some weight in the last few years, only allowing myself two or three days a week to exercise was keeping me from taking the weight off.

Dr. Staheli helped me see that all that work, work, work was counterproductive and to come up with an action plan, which I started putting into play at Cambridge Beaches. Walking more when I came home to Orlando ended up being the key that unlocked the idea of Coastal Voyager in my mind and gave me the inspiration for my new mission. And walking more is helping me take off the weight slowly but surely.

Her coaching turned around my idea of being forced to put all my stuff in storage to wanting to pare down to my most essential possessions and storing them while I travel. I'll be staying with family and friends between my trips.

When I talked to my About.com editor about the idea, she loved it, and mentioned that I was becoming unstuck. "What do you mean?" I asked. She had just read the National Geographic Traveler magazine ombudsman Christopher Elliot's April 13 MSNBC travel column on "What's the secret to an endless vacation? Nine tips for becoming a 'new' nomad" In it he talks about people who are responding to this crazy economy by traveling full time. He's even planning his own extended trip with his family next year!

Dr. Staheli believes this economy is helping nudge many of her clients to reinvent themselves. Changing ourselves periodically is energizing and enriching whether it comes from either an internal impetus like a desire to do something different or an external one, like the economy. Her book Bounce Be Transformed, which is available to be ordered or for free download on her site, will tell you how you can reinvent yourself for the better. She'll be back at Cambridge Beaches to lead another weekend retreat next March.

As for my journey, more to come!

Comments

[Orlando Hotel]

You live in Orlando? That's great! Do you mind giving me some tips? I just booked my flight to Orlando on lastminutetravel and have no idea where to go. What do you recommend?

[Coach Handbags]

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