Learning to Live Life on My Own Timeline
Helllooooo my friends of the interweb!! I know you’ve probably been all like, hey, where are the fun lifestyle posts at, I’m bored of the Southern Series! Well, maybe not…but so that you can see how things went during that trip, we still have a few days left to cover! Plus at the end of the series, I’d like to chat about our budget in more detail and how we would adjust it moving forward. Also, how to budget for it yourself if you would like to do the same trip!! But for today, we shall pause and reflect. Today, we shall talk about something closer to home, more in depth, and much more calming than a little series or two. Shall we? Life and Game Plans Way back when I was a measly 25 years young, I thought I’d be starting my family. But then, my business (as a reseller), was just taking off as a side hustle, my husband needed some more time, and we decided to start traveling a whole lot more than we had been. Backpacking was something we’d soon discover, and hiking was becoming much more prevalent in our future, as well as camping, adventures in far away places, and dehydrated meals becoming our favorite food along the trail. We never intended to have a game plan after that, since the previous game plan didn’t really work out. (You know, the whole, “have kids by 25 and be married and move houses to our forever home and etc, etc, etc.) And what did we end up learning along the way? That sometimes, having no plan at all makes for the best memories, brightest futures, and allows unexpected alternatives to pop up during finding out who we truly were as a couple and as individuals. Not Living Life on Someone Else’s Terms So often we’re all pushed to finding that next thing to land on, whether it be a person, a job, a location, you name it. And many times, it’s the wrong person, place or thing. We’ve talked a lot about rushing on this blog, and that’s something I’ll bring up once again. What’s the point? We all have one life to live, and time is once again the only thing we can’t get back. So, do I feel guilty about waiting another decade to think about having kids? No. No I do not. Although most people in my life like to decide that for me, telling me again and again how it would be so nice to have them be 10 or 12 or whatever years old by now. No longer do these comments bother me, because spending that extra decade building my foundation really showed me who I wanted to become, and what my husband and I could accomplish as a team instead of tearing each other down by having no time to spend with one another learning about nuances that may or may not have ever gotten a chance to see the light. It makes me sad how quickly we’re rushed into major life decisions, and how frequently they’re the wrong ones. We put others needs first, make ourselves the last priority, and realize too late that we should have or could have done something differently. It feels good to help another on their path, but sometimes those paths are meant for them to choose. By choosing the new direction for them, we limit their capabilities to learn, explore, and grow as the universe had planned for them. Does someone you love come into mind when you hear these things? You May Also Like: The Unexpected Mental Health Boost of Being a Dog Mom Why I Stopped Feeling Behind No longer do I feel rushed, even at nearing 35. Everyone continues to tell me how fast life is going, but honestly? It’s all relative. Will I feel the need to switch jobs again? Will I be afraid forever of pregnancy? Will life go on regardless of if we get another vehicle, another home, another pet? Yes, yes it will. And the thing is, we can slow it down if we really wanted to. We can take things at a pace that feels more comfortable, breathe experiences in one slow breath at a time, be more present in the moments that we chase so hard, and learn to love and cherish and protect our energy because ultimately, that energy becomes our time. The more we sit and stew on emotions that are fleeting, or loved ones that seem to care less than we think they should, or relationships that don’t last as long as we hoped they would, the more quickly it seems that time passes us by. We overthink our decisions, stop doing things that we love, and begin spending more time on how everyone else feels as opposed to what creates strength and resilience in our own being. Building a Life That Feels Right I’m excited for the journey ahead. I feel, despite what I’m constantly being told by friends, family, and social media, that I’m finally getting started. Finally working on the life I really love and spending time with the people that matter to me most. It doesn’t always take ten years to realize that, but if you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to welcome these self-care rituals and understand your true needs into your life earlier along, then I’m genuinely so happy for you. Because that means you have essentially, more time, more freedom, and more resistance against the rest of the nay-sayers to push back when something doesn’t feel right. More confidence to speak up when something doesn’t resonate with you. More force to battle the depression trenches when it reluctantly will always come along. I want you to feel heard. I want you to feel loved. I want you to feel understood, and not dismissed. So when those times come about that you need to
Day 9: Miami Beach on a Budget: What We Learned (The Hard Way)
So…what did we learn from adding Miami Beach to our “budget-friendly road-trip?” 😅 That this part of Florida should probably be skipped, or at least quickly passed through if budgeting is truly your buddy on your next travels to the state. While we were excited to be in the sun, fun and festivities, it ended up becoming a bigger chunk that we had anticipated and even felt a little stuck with the fact that we booked a 2-night minimum there. Read on to hear the whole story! Why Miami Beach Wasn’t the Best Place to Slow Down At first, it seemed like a great idea. Book 2 nights in the same place, force ourselves to actually unpack and unwind for a hot minute, and enjoy the things around us without having to rush out the next day. Turns out though that this probably was the worst place to do so, since it was not only one of the most expensive, but also one of the most overwhelming. We are super home bodies, a little introverted and get social anxiety in large crowds or around people for too long. (Hence the heavy travel focus on backpacking in remote off-grid locations for several days at a time).😂 So, when we woke up here on Day 2 of our stay, we realized that maybe we’d made a mistake and that we should think about those things more thoroughly when the next trip comes around. It didn’t help that it also wasn’t the easiest Airbnb to get to, not to mention not one of our favorites, either. Day 7: Miami, Sunshine, and a Packing Reality Check So what did we do instead?? Why of course, pack up all of our things once again, hit the sunrise early, then come back to pack up the truck and head outta town. The sunrise was absolutely gorgeous, but we still wouldn’t put it above the ones that have no buildings or people in the background. Then to top off our frustration, when we were leaving the parking garage that was supposed to just be $20, it ended up being $200 instead!!!🫠Talk about miscommunication, eh? When I spoke to the host about this confusion, she mentioned that it depends which garage we parked in, (even though they all looked similar to the one she’d mentioned). And, while I know this was technically on us, it really sucked when we got to the meter and it came back with one extra zero than we anticipated it being. 👀 Because of this mishap and the frustration of moving everything from the parking garage to the stay, we decided that from now on when staying in cities, we’ll opt for better bags and hotels instead. Lesson learned! 💪 In turn, this will also save us on beach rentals, parking and pool access fees, as well as if we’d like to go to the gym since most have them on property. Trading the Crowds for Gators and Open Roads Next we decided to head toward the Everglades, (shoutout to my dad who used to work in these!), which took us about 3 hours to drive the one-way road there and back. We made a few stops along the way at the pull-offs, visited both visitor centers (similar but still cool each in their own way!), and even took the route that included the Nike missile site. 🚀 Definitely recommend stopping here if you’re there within hours, it’s pretty cool if you’re into these kinds of things especially being so far out in the middle of nowhere! It’s open between December and late March from 10am-2pm. During the rest of year, the access is usually limited to guided, pre-arranged tours. We got to encounter a bunch of wildlife, (my favorite was the alligators!),🐊 which you can see especially well in the Royal Palm area. However there’s also a ton of birds, fish and turtles along the water or the walking trails. There’s also plenty of room for picnics with tables and places to stretch out for a family get-together! Since we were already so close to the Florida Keys, we decided to splurge a little more and book the Casa Marina on Key West. (Earlier in the trip we’d taken the Keys out of the equation since they were so far away, but since the Everglades park put us in pretty close distance, we decided, why not!) And, since we had the annoying time in Miami with the Airbnb debacle, this sounded like a grand time to be able to just chill in a fancy hotel room for a night. Plus, they had onsite beach access, a free pool and affordable parking, not to mention the fact that we didn’t have to wonder how the room was going to turn out this time. 😅 Day 8: The Highs, Lows, and Prices of Miami Beach Key West Nightlife and Hotel Stay: Was the Splurge Worth It? On the way to the hotel, we indulged in some more leftovers via our handy-dandy portable crockpot, which was a great little investment for this kind of trip. And, as we drove through the keys, we noticed that they were all pretty similar, and that we would probably only go back to the ones where we could easily access great scuba spots and then of course return to Key West being the destination spot that it is in itself. After checking in, we grabbed an Uber and headed toward one side of Duval Street, then decided to walk the whole way back to the hotel taking in the vibes along the way. It reminded us a lot of Miami and New Orleans, with the little shops and cute restaurants everywhere. We made a little time to shop, have dinner, and grab
Day 8: The Highs, Lows, and Prices of Miami Beach
If you’re planning a trip and wondering about the Miami Beach trip cost, we’re breaking down exactly what we spent daily in South Beach. From food and drinks to beach rentals and our stay, here’s what it really costs. Waking up in Miami, Florida definitely has its perks. There’s sunshine, palm trees, and beaches within walking distance all around you…but there’s cons as well and I’m here to share some of those today! Even though the day started out hella pricey and less than exhilarating, we still had a great time by the end of it winging our way through Espanola Way and stumbling upon a glam fashion show! Stick around to find out how it all played out. 👇 Starting the Day a Little Off Although we kept trying to make it up for sunrise, it was harder than anticipated since we were in a much different routine than home by this point in the trip. We were walking a TON every day, driving hundreds of miles usually, eating different kinds of foods and staying up way past our bedtime to enjoy everything around us to the max. So, once we did manage to make our way into the sunny streets, we strolled over to Pura Vida, an aesthetic little juice style coffee shop underneath one of the hotels near the beach. It was so cute, had an acceptable line length to wait in, and even several different fresh, cold-pressed juices to choose from in the cooler while you waited. We ordered some acai bowls and baked goods, as well as coffee and tea, but only ended up with about half of our order!! 😅 I was feeling refreshed from the delicious juices, (as these kinds are my favorite to find), but we were super disappointed in the service since it was pretty slow and wasn’t even right. (Also, pro tip! Check out the nearby grocery or convenience stores…they too, have cold-pressed juices for about half the price!)👀 South Beach Walk, Muscle Beach, and the Real Cost of Miami Beach After breakfast, we walked down the boardwalk and past Muscle Beach (South Beach area) which is famous for its free, high-quality, outdoor equipment. It’s based in the sand and the equipment is a beautiful white color. It fits the aesthetic of the city perfectly and seems like a pretty chill spot to workout if you’re a local or just stopping by for a while…that is, if you’re okay with people *literally* filming you from the sidelines. 😅 I think it would be a great place to get fit in the early am or late night, since the crowds are lessened and the weather is more manageable with a breeze. After passing by, we kept on walking for a while to see the shops and even snagged a cute sweatshirt from one of them and some new sunglasses, too. We did make some time for the beach this day! (Finally!) Butttt it was less than ideal with the overpriced chairs and umbrellas, the overly crowded beach areas, and the vibe just being everything but how we envisioned our beach time to be. So, we packed up and headed to a lunch spot on Ocean Drive, where we indulged in some nachos and delicious cocktails and mocktails! 🍹 …Just be prepared if you’re visiting this area, to spend $100+ on 3 drinks and an app!!🙂😳 (Remember that gratuity is always included here peeps!!!) Day 3 of Our Southern Road Trip: Mississippi History and Louisiana Charm Espanola Way Miami, Havana 1957, and Nightlife Costs Once we cooled down in the room for a bit, we headed back to a different area nearby with an Uber. It allowed us to explore a different part of the area and we got a nice walk back through another mall. Of course we had to stop and get another scoop of ice cream, but after that, we got changed for dinner and enjoyed some excellent food from Havana 1957 on Espanola Way, which ironically was super close to our stay! (We had no idea until passing it from walking back the opposite way! Definitely feel free to go out of your comfort zone on these kinds of trips, you never know the cool places you may stumble upon!) It was such a beautiful and vibrant street with food from lots of different cultures. There was fun music playing at each and entertainment of many kinds, and you guessed it…more gelato! 😂 (We liked Ciao Amore!) It was a fun experience to walk through the street at night seeing the lights everywhere and the vibes. Definitely add this street to your Miami bucket list if you stop through! We kept walking after dinner to the beach, which you can see from the boardwalk at night. It was so pretty with the cruise ships on the water lighting up bits and pieces, and the moon lighting up the sand. I love the beach at night, it’s just a whole different atmosphere.✨ The Long Walk, Christmas Lights, and the Orb We ended up walking all the way from 15th street to 7th! 💁♀️ (I was totally done with walking after this day 😹). But it was actually very cool because we got to see all of the restaurants lit up with Christmas lights still and each one having a different aesthetic. We even passed a few drag shows that were fun to watch from the side, dancers at multiple different venues, and even a glam fashion runway show with real models! We really enjoyed this last minute stroll idea because it allowed us to see a different version of the streets after dark, including the super cool Orb at the Betsey House on the way back to the Airbnb. (Check out the
Day 7: Miami, Sunshine, and a Packing Reality Check
Guys. Day 7 is all about fun in the sun. Are you ready for that? I know we definitely were at this point in the trip. 😅 Once we finally made our way more south into Florida, it seemed like the heat was finally here to stay. So, we booked a 2-night minimum at a Miami Beach Airbnb, and decided to chill out for a few days. Let’s talk about it! Heading to Miami Even though we missed sunrise again, it was nice to just chillax into the morning and grab a protein shake and smoothie while loading up. (You may have noticed a pattern forming here!) This was an easy and quick breakfast to keep us feeling satisfied and healthy, so that we could keep pushing forward in the days to come. We walked the Hollywood boardwalk a little more to grab some AM sunshine, then decided to spend one more tiny trip at the local casino since it would be the only time on the trip. While we were there, we had free lunch on the house! (Winning!) And even had enough to use for some leftovers in the days to come. If you’re ever in the Hollywood Hard Rock Casino, we definitely recommend their buffalo chicken flatbread at the Beach Club Restaurant. 🤌 Once we had full bellies and some more fun out of the way, we kept heading toward Miami where our 2-night stay was waiting. (We usually steered clear of these minimum requirements, but since we were tired of bee-bopping around, it seemed like it may be a good idea this time). Day 6 of Our Southern Road Trip: Finally Some Sunshine and a Date Night Out Turns out we totally forgot to check the description about having a drive-up area to unpack our truck, which meant we were stuck in a parking garage about 2 blocks away!!! It wasn’t a super far walk, but we had to organize our things on the tailgate in the garage, and then struggle to carry it all to our place. (Not all that fun, especially now that we were officially in sweaty-style weather and carrying multiple bags each, not to mention trying to balance all of our leftovers so that we didn’t let them go to waste in the cooler!) This was another time where we realized that we may have packed too much. Even though it was still less than the last, (we’re making progress every time!), it was still too many things to carry and a good duffel bag (that we plan to purchase from REI in the future), would make our lives hella easier than the not so great duffels we had quickly thrown together. Compartments are your friend!!! (We were lacking those). 👀 We did however use our trusty Osprey backpacks nearly every day for at least something, which included moving things in and out of the vehicle. They’re super comfortable and pack a good bit for their size, which made organizing them and carrying them a breeze compared to everything else we were struggle-bussing with. I Scream Gelato at Miami Beach I think something that is highly underrated in travel is the fact that us humans like to pack wayyy too many things “just in case!” Most often, you really don’t end up needing them, or, you’re able to purchase them for a fraction of what the stress of carrying them around would be. Therefore, I’d like to highlight this annoyance and make sure that maybe we can all do a better job moving forward!💪 The hubs was kind enough to make a second trip, since one each didn’t suffice for what we had to take inside. We then got changed and hit the town to explore awhile before the sun went down. We window shopped a little and then of course had to grab some gelato at I Scream Gelato. I love these kinds of places that offer extra toppings! (I’m a chocolate topping fene, so I typically add chocolate chips…bonus if they have the mini kind!…chocolate sprinkles, and mini m&m’s if they have them!) We also stopped along the way back at the Pizza Bar, that basically had the biggest slices of pizza we have ever seen.😳 They were delicious, offered different toppings if you’re into that, (I’m a plain or pepperoni type gal), and had beverages as well available. (If you wanted to go the frozen pizza option, there are plenty of small stores along the way that offer multiple kinds, including much more affordable drinks and snacks!) We took our slices to go and walked around a little more, before heading back to our stay where we indulged and got a little work done before bed. (I had planned to sit out on the balcony, but unfortunately it was one of those “looks better in the pictures” kind of things. 😅 It was definitely still a busy day, but alas one that included much less driving and much more warmth! ☀️We headed to bed around 11, (late for us!) and had a decent night sleep despite the loudness around our building. 🙂 Day 7 in Miami Costs Of course, I’ll be sharing our expenses of the day below! It wasn’t too bad despite being in Miami, but I still think we could have done better (and will be doing better because now we now how to!) in the future. Let me know if you have any suggestions or questions about Day 7! Day 8 will include a few surprises and a little beach time! So stay tuned to see where we land for lunch and what those surprises are!🥳 Southern States Road Trip Expenses for Day 7: Pizza & soda: $35.10 Ice cream & water: $33.40 Airbnb & parking: $316.50 Total: $435.00 Thank You From Miami! Thanks so much for following along with our journey. It really means a lot to have you here, and we hope you’re enjoying the ride as much
What We Learned After a Year of Travel, Growth, and Trying to Find Balance
At the beginning of this journey, we thought balance would come naturally. Travel more. Stress less. Eat better. Be present. Simple, right? Somewhere between waking up in a new Airbnb, pushing through long drives, and trying to keep up with “healthy habits,” we realized something… Healthy habits while traveling requires balance. Balance isn’t something you arrive at. It’s something you adjust to. Over and over again. And if we’re being honest, we didn’t always get it right. Expectation vs. Reality When we first started traveling more, especially during our Southern road trip series, we imagined slow mornings, intentional days, and that peaceful “we’ve got this figured out” feeling. The reality looked a little different. Some days started with excitement and ended in complete exhaustion. Other days, we woke up feeling run down, realizing we had pushed too hard the day before (looking at you, Panama City on New Year’s Eve 🥳). Read More: Southern Road Trip Day 5: A Quiet New Year’s Eve on the Road We thought moving every day would feel freeing. It didn’t always. We thought routines would stick. They didn’t always. We thought eating healthy and staying consistent would be easy on the road. Also…not always. But that’s where the growth happened. What Actually Worked Looking back, a few things made all the difference. 1. Slowing down > doing everything Some of our best days weren’t packed with activities. They were the simple ones. Sleeping in a little. Repeating the same Airbnb. Grabbing a casual meal. Taking a walk without a plan. Ironically, those “slower” days are the ones we remember the most. 2. Simple habits beat perfect routines We went into this thinking we needed a full routine to stay on track. Workout schedules. Perfect meals. Structured days. That didn’t last long. What did work? Small things: Drinking more water Getting outside daily Choosing better meals when we could (not every time) Prioritizing rest when our bodies needed it Nothing flashy. Just consistent enough. 3. Your body keeps the score (even on vacation) One of the biggest lessons from the trip was realizing how quickly burnout can sneak in. We didn’t think moving around every day would take such a toll…until it did. Feeling tired, sick, or just off became signals we couldn’t ignore anymore. Now, we pay attention sooner. More Travel: Exploring the Confluence: Grand Canyon’s Hidden Gem via Havasupai 4. “Balance” changes week to week This might be the biggest one. Some weeks, balance looked like productivity and structure. Other weeks, it looked like rest and doing the bare minimum. And both were okay. What Didn’t Work (But We Needed to Learn) Not everything went smoothly, and honestly, that’s where most of the lessons came from. Trying to do too much in one day Skipping rest days because “we’re already here” Thinking we could outwork exhaustion Putting pressure on ourselves to make every day “count” If we could go back, we wouldn’t necessarily change everything. But we would give ourselves more permission to slow down sooner. If You’re Planning a Trip Like This… Here’s what we’d tell you. You don’t need to see everything. You don’t need the perfect plan. And you definitely don’t need to get it right every day. Instead: Build in rest days (even if you don’t think you need them) Keep your habits simple Listen to your body earlier than you think you should Leave space for unplanned moments Those random, unstructured parts of the trip? They usually end up being the best ones. Looking Back We didn’t find perfect balance this year. But we got closer to understanding what it actually means. It’s not about doing everything right. It’s about paying attention. Adjusting. Learning as you go. And maybe most importantly… Giving yourself the freedom to not have it all figured out yet. If you’ve been following along with our journey, we’re really glad you’re here. And if you’re just getting started, there’s a lot more ahead.
Day 6 of Our Southern Road Trip: Finally Some Sunshine and a Date Night Out
Day 6 was a good day. We indulged in delicious lunch food, drove a teeny bit further south, (finally to some sunshine!!), and even got a little date night out at the casino. Stay tuned to hear about how this day turned out, how we saved on two out of three meals, and how we finally got some time to chill! Yay! ☀️ Road Trip: Steak ‘n Shake and Hollywood Beach We slept in, had a lazy morning and made breakfast (toast, smoothies and a protein shake if you must know)💁♀️. Then loaded up the truck for the next chapter of our trip. It was New Years Day, 2026, and we were *so* ready for some sun already. It was only a few hours of driving this day, but we passed a Steak ’n Shake on the way and decided to sway from the health food kick and grab some burgers and shakes since PGH no longer has any of these around! It was a great pit stop and tasted just like we remembered. (Highly recommend if you’ve never had it!) After about a 3.5 hour drive through Florida some more, we arrived (in the daylight, yay!) at our next stop for the night, an Airbnb right along the Hollywood beach boardwalk just a few steps away. It was a little hard to locate, (one of the problems we’ve noticed with some Airbnb stays), but once we were there it was convenient being able to unload the truck right by the door and feel at home. I’m not sure if we’d stay in this location again as it was a bit loud at night, but it being super close walking distance to the beach was absolutely stunning. Catch Up: Southern Road Trip Day 5: A Quiet New Year’s Eve on the Road Have you had any experience staying here? If so, what was your favorite part? Once we got a feel for how the boardwalk was, we decided to treat ourselves and hit up the casino nearby for a fun date night. We stopped here years ago on a randomly planned trip to Miami, and it was a great time. The Uber ride was further than expected, but we didn’t want to lose our parking spot near the stay, and also didn’t feel like driving in more traffic at night, so, win-win! It provided some nostalgia being back there, and we enjoyed our time once again. Instead of spending more on dinner though, we decided to walk the boardwalk again after heading back in the evening, (the stars were AMAZING!) and then made some more steaks in the kitchenette. Budget For Day 6 Road Trip Including Date Night It was a short day, unlike most of the others! But super fun and way more relaxing. Stay tuned for Day 7 which will have a similar vibe! Cheers to not rushing through vacation and actually getting the downtime we all deserve! ☀️😹 As promised, here is our budget for the day! Let me know your thoughts or similarities if you go on a trip here as well. Although we continued to do our best and keep track during this trip, we found it difficult (even getting groceries most of the time instead of eating at restaurants) to keep it as low as we would have liked. Sad face. If you’d like to stick around til the end of the series, I’ll go more in depth about the overall budget, where we could have done things differently, what we learned to do better along the way, and how we’ll save up again for something similar in the future.💪 Southern States Road Trip Expenses for Day 6: Airbnb: $233.91 Steak & Shake: $29.76 Def & Caffiene: $49.16 Uber: ~$114 Fuel: $64 Total: $490.83 Wait! Here’s some delish pics from Steak ’n’ Shake before you go!👇👀 Thank You For Reading Day 6 of Our Southern Road Trip: Finally Some Sunshine and a Date Night Out Thanks so much for following along on our Southern Road Trip. This journey has reminded us just how important it is to take care of ourselves and stay grounded in the habits that keep us feeling our best. Sometimes, all you really need is a simple road trip date night to reset, reconnect, and breathe a little. Nothing fancy, just intentional. Also… quick question. Are there any Steak ‘n Shake fans out there or is it just us? Let me know what you think. 👀
Southern Road Trip Day 5: A Quiet New Year’s Eve on the Road
Day 5 didn’t start out as planned. Even though we went to bed feeling accomplished, (we did our laundry, organized our groceries, and found a cozy airbnb), we woke up feeling like we shouldn’t have pushed so hard. You’ll come to see this is an ongoing realization throughout the Southern Series, since we didn’t think moving around everyday would take such a toll on our bodies (and minds). Read on to hear about our super simple day (which was ironically New Years Eve!)🥳 and how we would have structured it a little differently if we were to do the same trip again. But First, Waffle House Life doesn’t always go as planned, so on this trip, we decided to have no plan at all! We wanted to find out how good we could “wing it,” and therefore encountered a lot of fun, random spots (but also ran into a lot of, “maybe we should have slowed down some,” moments as well.👀 Once we got up this day, feeling sick, tired, and run down, we decided to stay in Panama City at the same airbnb again…but unfortunately it wasn’t available. 🤦♀️ Therefore, we casually decided to keep going to a warmer climate and some sunshine to hopefully start feeling better, and ended up in the small town of Sanford, FL, not too far from Orlando. But first, Waffle House.🙂 Because when did greasy bacon and loads of butter not make you feel better, am I right? We talked on the way about how moving on was probably for the best, since the crowds would be coming into Panama City anyway, making it hard to get around and overwhelming…but looking back, we should have gotten a hotel and just walked to the beach celebration at night! We were adamant on keeping out of hotels this trip, trying to steer clear of normal stops like these and relying more on the last minute airbnb or camping adventures. (Unfortunately we didn’t get to do any camping despite bringing *all* of our camping gear, since camping in Florida is much more complicated than just setting up a spot in BLM land out west). Therefore, hotels were frowned upon, and we set our sights further south. Biloxi and New Year’s Eve Steaks We also heard talk while in the outskirts of New Orleans, about the town of Biloxi, MS, that was supposedly a fun stop for NYE if we were passing through anyway. After browsing some online, we decided it wouldn’t be super fun since a lot of this celebration was taking place outdoors and it was still so cold outside. (Silly, since we are from PGH and probably would have done just fine!)😃 Biloxi now is on our “must go” list, since we’d still like to see it shine in the warmer weather. As we made our way south, we stopped to shop for more groceries, water, and essentials, and grabbed our fancy sparkling water to use for our NYE steak dinners we’d be making.✨ It was a long driving day, but we enjoyed the changing landscape again as we crossed further into Florida along the way. Our new airbnb was super cute as well, even offering a bottle of wine for the night (we don’t drink anymore, so we left it for the next person!), but it was a nice touch to an already great place. (They even had a dishwasher!) Day 3 of Our Southern Road Trip: Mississippi History and Louisiana Charm There was a pretty patio as well, but unfortunately it was still chilly so we decided to stay inside. We caught the sunset right as we were unloading for the night, and checked out a few nearby local fireworks down the sidewalk from our place. (We’ve read it’s a pretty fun spot to spend NYE if you’re feeling up to walking to the local bars and restaurants, so don’t discount this place for an exciting, small town time!) Once we got unpacked and settled, I made steak, mac and cheese, and asparagus. It was a delicious fulfilling meal after road snacks all day, a chill evening on the couch getting some work done, and an early bedtime around 9pm since we were still feeling a little off. (We of course set our alarm for midnight so we could see the ball drop on live stream!) This is something we typically do each year if we know we won’t make it up. 😂 Don’t Forget to Recharge on Road Trips It was definitely a different New Years Eve than I’d imagined we’d have on this trip, but it was perfect nonetheless. We got to recharge some, putting our physical and mental health first, and I think that made a positive overall impact on our moods in the days to come. Sometimes a small sacrifice is worth keeping yourself healthy so you can enjoy your entire trip and not just one evening! 💁♀️ As the years go by, this is something we’ve come to realize a lot more. Not just during trips, but in everyday life as well. This is what Habitual Balance is all about, after all. Finding ways to have comfort when needed, but enjoying adventures when your mind and body are refreshed. What is your favorite way to recharge on road trips? Day 4 of Our Southern Road Trip: Ghost Vibes, Bourbon Street, and Burnout Day Five Road Trip Expenses Breakdown As promised, I’ll be sharing our budget for the day again, so check it out below and drop any questions or comments down below! Thanks for following along, (even on the boring days!), and for your support along the way. See you next week, friends! ✌️🌼 Southern States Road Trip Expenses for Day 5: Airbnb: $181.61 Breakfast: $15 (had gift card from xmas, thanks dad!) Fuel: ~$70 Publix (Groceries restock): $141.79 Total: $408.40 Thank You For Reading Our About Our Florida Road Trip Day For everyone who has stuck
The Most Read Habitual Balance Posts From 2025
Habitual Balance grew significantly in 2025 all thanks to you! You journeyed along with me on many trips where I learned not only more about the world but about myself. I hope along this journey you’ve found little opportunities for growth just as I have. Here are the top posts from 2025 by the number of reads. Which is your favorite? Comment below. The Confluence This post follows our journey hiking to the Confluence, the remote meeting point of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River deep inside the Grand Canyon. Starting from the Havasupai Campground, the hike is anything but easy, with steep drop-offs, confusing trail sections, multiple creek crossings, and a full day of physical and mental endurance. The post walks through how we prepared, what gear we packed, and what the trail conditions looked like in 2025 after the 2024 flash flood changed parts of the route. Along the way, it shares honest reflections about pushing through exhaustion, learning to embrace the challenge, and appreciating the wild beauty of the canyon. The reward at the end is one of the most stunning sights in the region, where the bright turquoise waters of Havasu Creek merge with the deep green Colorado River. Despite the difficulty, the hike stands out as one of the most memorable adventures we’ve experienced in the Grand Canyon. Exploring the Confluence: Grand Canyon’s Hidden Gem via Havasupai Seneca Rocks West Virginia A quiet anniversary weekend in the mountains led us to the incredible landscape of Seneca Rocks, West Virginia, where rugged cliffs, winding trails, and peaceful campsites create the perfect setting to slow down and reconnect. Surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, the trip blended scenic hiking, relaxed campground moments, and a few honest reflections on the differences between backpacking and car camping. We explored the classic Seneca Rocks trail along with the more challenging North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top, both offering sweeping views and unforgettable scenery. Like many Habitual Balance adventures, the experience became less about the destination and more about embracing the outdoors, adjusting expectations, and appreciating the simple moments that make travel meaningful. Seneca Rocks turned out to be one of those places that quietly reminds you how refreshing it is to step away from routine and into nature. Have You Embraced The Secluded & Serene Beauty Of Seneca Rocks, West Virginia? Havasupai Hike Guide One of the most unforgettable adventures in the Grand Canyon begins long before the turquoise waterfalls appear. The hike into Havasupai Falls is a journey through miles of desert canyon, early morning starts, dusty switchbacks, and the quiet anticipation of what waits at the bottom. In this post, we walk through exactly how we planned the trip, what the trail looked like in 2025, and the small details that made the long trek into Supai Village and the campground a little easier. From the pre-dawn drive out of Seligman to the final stretch along the creek lined with bright blue water, the experience is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Like many Habitual Balance adventures, it’s a reminder that the most meaningful moments usually come after the hardest miles. Our Epic Hike Into Havasupai Falls: What to Know Before You Go Havasupai Hike and the 4 Hour Drive to Sedona Leaving Havasupai means trading turquoise waterfalls and quiet canyon mornings for the long climb back toward the desert sky. The hike out is challenging, especially under the rising Arizona sun, but it also gives you time to reflect on everything the canyon just gave you. In this post, we share what the final trek out of Supai Village was really like, from early morning packing routines to the steep switchbacks that test both your legs and your mindset. It’s a reminder that the hardest miles often carry the greatest sense of accomplishment. The journey continues with the long drive to Sedona, where the contrast between peaceful wilderness and busy tourist towns brings a new perspective on travel, adventure, and what it really means to feel alive outdoors. Hiking Out Of Havasupai and The 4 Hour Drive To Sedona Camp Comfortably For Under $100 Per Night Camping has definitely gotten more expensive over the years, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune to enjoy a comfortable trip outdoors. With a little planning, smart grocery shopping, and a few simple luxuries mixed in, we’ve found that about $100 per day is the sweet spot for a relaxed camping experience in 2025. In this post, we share how we keep costs under control while still enjoying real meals, cozy campfires, and the small comforts that make a campsite feel like home. From grocery strategies to campsite costs and fuel planning, it’s all about balancing simplicity with the little things that make time in nature even better. At its core, it’s a reminder that meaningful outdoor adventures don’t have to be expensive, sometimes all you need is a hammock, a hot drink, and a quiet place in the woods. How We Camp Comfortably For Less Than $100/Day In 2025
Top 10 Amazon Kitchen Upgrades for a Healthier Spring
Top 10 Amazon Kitchen Upgrades I Made This Spring Hello nourishing-your-body, trying-to-stay-organized, slightly-over-it-but-still-showing-up friends 🍳✨ This spring I had a small realization: my kitchen either supports my habits… or completely sabotages them. When things are cluttered, containers don’t match, and nothing has a real “home,” cooking starts to feel like a chore instead of something grounding. So instead of doing a full Pinterest-worthy overhaul, I made a few intentional upgrades that actually made a difference. Nothing dramatic. Nothing influencer-y. Just tools that made meal prep easier, cleanup faster, hydration more consistent, and the overall vibe calmer. Here are the Amazon kitchen finds I’m genuinely loving this season 👇 Amazon Kitchen Upgrades I’m Loving This Spring 1. Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender I found this right before our Southern road trip when I was looking for something that would let me make a quick smoothie with cooler snacks instead of defaulting to gas station food. This thing has been SUCH a win. The battery lasts forever, you don’t have to keep it plugged in, and it’s powerful enough to handle frozen fruit without sounding like it’s about to explode. It’s the perfect size for travel but honestly? I use it at home just as much. Cleanup is easy, it doesn’t take up much space, and the cute colors plus carrying sleeves are just bonus points. 12/10. 2. 6-Pack Fridge Drawer Organizer If you have a tiny or older fridge like I do, these clear drawers are game changers. Instead of loose fruits, veggies, and snack bags floating around like chaos gremlins, everything has a place. I use these mostly for cut-up produce and pre-packed snacks, and being able to just slide a drawer out instead of digging around has weirdly made me eat healthier. Visibility equals use. If I can see it, I eat it. 3. Stackable Refrigerator Organizer Bins I grabbed these at the same time as the smaller drawers because I knew I’d need space for slightly larger items. They stack neatly, maximize awkward fridge corners, and make everything feel intentional instead of crammed. No complaints. They quietly do their job and make the fridge feel 10x more functional. 4. Stainless Steel Containers with Removable Drain Tray These have slowly replaced a lot of my plastic storage. I love using them for meats or leftovers because the removable drain tray keeps moisture from pooling at the bottom. They fit nicely alongside the clear drawers, clean easily, and eliminate the need for those flimsy plastic wrappers everything comes in. Less waste. Less mess. More structure. 5. Titanium Cutting Board I bought this after realizing how much bacteria can hang out in deep grooves of wooden and plastic cutting boards over time. While wood has natural antimicrobial qualities, it still absorbs moisture, and plastic can trap bacteria in knife cuts if you’re not replacing it often. Titanium is non-porous, doesn’t absorb moisture, and is incredibly easy to sanitize. It doesn’t hold odors, it’s lightweight, and it takes up way less space than my old bulky board. I only grabbed one since I use one at a time, but they do sell multi-packs. So far, I’m loving how minimal and easy it feels. Interested in more products? Check out 10 REI Trail Snack Favorites for Solo Hikes and Shared Adventures 6. Wild & Stone Organic Cotton Hand Towel This is by far one of my favorite kitchen towels ever. Yes, it’s pricier than a random pack at a big box store, but I’ve been using it for months and it still looks and feels amazing. It’s absorbent without feeling soggy, sturdy without being stiff, and actually looks cute hanging on the oven handle. Sometimes upgrading something simple like a towel makes the whole space feel elevated. 7. Large Glass Water Bottle with Stainless Steel Handle Out of all the water bottles I’ve bought over the years, this one wins. It’s large enough to realistically get me through the day, glass so I don’t get that weird aftertaste, and protected so I’m not constantly worried about shattering it. It has multiple drinking options, a sturdy handle, and it’s aesthetic. When I consistently use this, I end my day fully hydrated without even thinking about it. That’s what I call a supportive habit tool. 8. 2-Pack 64oz Heavy Duty Glass Milk Bottles These are perfect for homemade drinks like cold mint tea, infused water, or fresh juice when I’m feeling ambitious. They’re sturdy, dishwasher safe, and surprisingly resilient even when my fridge is playing Tetris. Prepping drinks ahead used to feel like “extra work.” Now it feels simple enough that I actually do it. 9. Produce Spinner & Cleaner for Salad Prep This thing is awesome. It has a non-slip base, drains easily, and the lid is made from a wheat straw blend to reduce plastic use. Washing and drying greens used to feel annoying. Now it’s quick. When prep feels easy, you’re way more likely to eat the salad instead of staring at it until it wilts. 10. 6-Pack 16oz Glass Jars with Lids These little jars are perfect for snacks on the go, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, leftovers, or anything you want visible and accessible. They make the pantry and fridge look aesthetic, but more importantly, they reduce friction. When healthy snacks are prepped and visible, they’re the first thing I grab instead of whatever mystery item is hiding in the back. Why These 10 Kitchen Upgrades Matter (The HB Part)… …I just realized that HB can stand for Habitual Balance, but also Habit Building. 😌💁♀️ None of these items are life changing on their own. But together, they’ve made my kitchen feel calmer, more intentional, and easier to use. And when your kitchen supports you, your habits follow. Habitual Balance has always been about building systems that make sense to repeat. For me right now, that means: Less plastic Less clutter Easier hydration Quicker prep Fewer excuses Spring felt like the perfect time to reset that space. If you’ve upgraded
Growth, Travel, and What’s Next for Habitual Balance
Hey friends. I know we’re in the middle of the Southern Series currently, (and hey! Let me know what you think about the look-back posts! I’d love to hear feedback if you’re into reading those), but I’d really like to pause and reflect on Habitual Balance as a whole and a little about what I hope to accomplish this year for you guys. So, thank you for sticking around, for following even on slow weeks, and for supporting this weird journey as a fellow human being in a world of billions. I appreciate you. 🫶 My Habitual Balance If you’ve been following for a while you’ll know that HB started from an idea just a few short years ago, about wanting to spend more time on my health and wellness and less time being stressed about things out of my control. Meaning, less worry about the job I was in, the endless problems in the world, and the people around me telling me what I should or shouldn’t do on a daily basis. And, in turn, additional time spent focusing on what brings me genuine joy, getting out into nature more often, and doing what I can to ensure my decisions regarding my health and wellness started taking the front seat instead of the back burner. So often we fall into these traps where we can’t seem to figure out what our underlying issues are, but yet they’re usually standing right in front of us. We forget how to be humans, and start just fidgeting through everyday life like we’re on a hamster wheel. Every now and then I come back to this thought, when I feel stuck or when something starts to feel mundane. Which is why I’m writing this post today instead of another travel one. Habitual Balance is quite simply, learning how to balance your habits by building systems and routines over time that make sense to repeat. Sure, that could be considered mundane I suppose as well, but the difference is that those routines are ones that should be intentionally selected and implemented into the parts of our days that make sense biologically, emotionally, mentally or even physically. Ways to Balance Your Life: If you find yourself struggling to sleep at night, try moving your workout routine from evening to morning, or setting your bedroom up for relaxation. If you find yourself not understanding your own emotions, try doing inner work with a therapist to bring those feelings forward and learn about them. If you find yourself strung out or just fighting to get by each day, perhaps your mental load needs to be unwound and less full. If you find yourself becoming something that doesn’t feel right or struggling to become a morning person when you’re actually a night owl, maybe you just need to reset your clock and figure out what time of the day you perform best. But every so often, those routines are broken up by travel and lifestyle, which ultimately is also a huge part of HB. Habits get adjusted based on new schedules, systems get switched up when a partners work times change, or maybe your habits have just not been front and center for a little while too long. Either way, it’s important to reflect on these things regularly so that we can bring our focus back to the things that truly matter and stop riding the loop that begins to inevitably happen after time. How We Learned to Travel on Purpose As we move through the first quarter of 2026, I’ve been thinking a lot about the epic travels we’ve done these last few years. We’ve been to the Grand Canyon multiple times, The Napali Coast of Kauai, basically all of the eastern coast with our last trip (The Southern Series), Mt. Whitney in California and Yosemite, Angels Landing of Zion in Utah, all throughout Arizona, Bryce Canyon and more. For so long I thought I’d travel the world. Before getting into a relationship, I knew this was something I longed to do. It took years before we were able to appreciate travel however the way I believe that it should be, which is slightly bothersome. I’ll explain. We’re shown on social media and news stories the cities and fun places to go, so that’s exactly what we did at first. We spent too much money, visited places a billion others did, and unfortunately, nothing really called us back there. It was only after beginning to really get into hiking that we discovered our truest selves, and learned that the best places on earth are usually those that aren’t talked enough about. We love to travel now, and are sure to prioritize it as basically our second highest expense behind food. Since life experiences are what we yearn for, we make sure to spend wisely throughout the year so that we can enjoy the great adventures outdoors. When I say that it’s been life-changing, it is significantly an understatement. We now travel to small towns barely on the map, meet locals and try their food, camp in remote locations where all you can see is the stars, and drive four-by-fours on miles of dirt road just to get to our next backpacking location where we’ll go even more miles into the wilderness. These are things I wouldn’t change for anything in the world. And although I thoroughly enjoy sharing these adventures with you, I also truly enjoy writing posts about my feelings on them as well, and why it’s so important to put down the devices and immerse yourself more in what’s really happening. Writing at its core is my true passion next to traveling, and I’m so grateful to be able to do that with and for you. But, even though going off grid has become more widespread, it’s still not uncommon to see more people on their phones more than ever. (Yes, even in those remote places). No Time But