When All Signs Point Toward Poor Timing…

Sometimes changing plans is exactly what we need.

One of the loveliest things about being single, and only needing to make decisions for yourself, is knowing that you can change your travel plans without disappointing anyone else.

Sometimes, no matter how carefully and joyfully we plan a vacation, a holiday getaway, or a grand European adventure, life happens. And you know what? Sometimes, choosing not to go is a perfectly lovely choice.

A choice to spend a little time at home, focusing on yourself. An opportunity to slow down, appreciate your everyday life, smell the roses, and rediscover the beauty in the ordinary.

Because life, for me anyway, doesn’t need to be extravagant. I’m actually quite simple.

I love cooking, reading, writing (something I do daily), learning new things, spending time with my granddaughter, sharing a meal or a walk with my son, enjoying time with my daughter and son-in-law, and finding fulfillment in my work. I love putting together what I consider stylish outfits, taking long walks, skincare, self-care, working out, and going down the occasional rabbit hole studying the latest and greatest in the wellness world.

And yes, I absolutely love to travel.

But here’s something I’ve learned about traveling: even the planning is part of the adventure.

When you research and plan your own journeys, you begin learning about a country’s history, culture, architecture, traditions, and people long before you ever arrive. You discover places you never knew existed, read stories you might never have encountered, and begin imagining yourself wandering streets you’ve only seen in photographs.

In a way, the journey begins long before you pack your suitcase.

Of course, nothing compares to actually being there, walking those streets, meeting people, the smells, the flavors, and experiencing it all firsthand. But I genuinely enjoy the anticipation and education that come with planning.

Which brings me to Portugal.

Oh, Portugal. We had such lovely plans!

My daughter spent weeks encouraging me to postpone my trip because of the demonstrations taking place there. I contacted my hotel several times for updates, followed the news, and kept reminding myself that these things are simply part of life. Surely everything would work out.

Then came reports of a significant storm heading toward Portugal. Then technology disruptions. And suddenly, what had begun as an exciting adventure was accumulating one complication after another.

As a woman traveling solo in a foreign country, relying on public transportation and my own ability to navigate unfamiliar surroundings, I began to reconsider.

Not necessarily because I believed I would be unsafe, but because the growing uncertainty was beginning to take some of the joy out of the experience.

And isn’t joy part of the reason we travel in the first place?

And wouldn’t you know it? Just as I was settling comfortably into postponing, more reports of airport disruptions began appearing, only two days before what would have been my scheduled departure to Lisbon.

At some point, you have to laugh.

Perhaps the universe wasn’t sending me signs at all. Perhaps it was simply life doing what life does, reminding me that even the most carefully laid plans aren’t guaranteed.

Either way, I feel perfectly comfortable with my decision.

Portugal isn’t going anywhere. And neither is my desire to experience it.

Besides, I still have Madrid to look forward to at Christmas!

But something else happened as I considered whether to go or stay.

All this thinking about travel, uncertainty, safety, and the unpredictability of life led me somewhere a little unexpected.

I found myself wondering: If I knew my life were coming to an end, who would I most want to spend my remaining days with?

The answer came without a moment’s hesitation.

My children and my granddaughter.

Not in some extraordinary destination. Not necessarily doing anything particularly memorable by anyone else’s standards.

Just being together.

Sharing meals, laughing, talking, taking walks, enjoying the little moments that make up a life.

And then I found myself thinking about something else. Who would have the hardest time if something happened to me?

Of course, my daughter, granddaughter, family, and loved ones would miss me. I know how deeply we love one another. But I suspect my son might have an especially difficult time.

He has such a tender heart.

He probably wouldn’t announce it to the world, but I think he’s a bit of a mama’s boy.

And I absolutely love that about him.

It’s funny how a decision about something as seemingly simple as postponing a vacation can lead you to think about what matters most.

Not because you’re afraid to live, but because you’re reminded of what makes life worth living.

And just when I thought I had collected enough reasons to stay home, my body apparently decided to contribute one more!

I’ve come down with some sort of upper respiratory infection.

I’ve tested negative for flu, COVID, and RSV. And did you know they now sell a combination test for all three at the drugstore? How wonderful is that?

Of course, perhaps I tested too early. Or perhaps it’s just a good old-fashioned cold. Whatever it is, I think it’s fair to say that boarding an international flight right now would not have been my finest idea.

So here I am.

No Portugal this Thanksgiving.

Instead, I have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful town I call home. To spruce up my home, cook something delicious, catch up on reading, spend time with people I love, and perhaps save a few vacation days for another adventure.

I can take my walks, enjoy the changing season, learn something new, write a little more, and appreciate the ordinary rhythm of my days.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll discover that I needed this time at home more than I needed another stamp in my passport.

I’ve always believed that life is meant to be lived, not merely watched from the sidelines.

But living fully doesn’t always mean doing more, going farther, or filling every available day with something extraordinary.

Sometimes it means recognizing that the life you’ve created is already quite lovely.

That the people you love are more important than the places you visit.

That changing your mind isn’t the same as missing out.

And that an adventure postponed is not necessarily an adventure lost.

Portugal will be there when the timing feels right.

And when I finally arrive, I suspect I’ll appreciate it all the more.

In the meantime, there is beauty to be found right here, in the everyday moments of a life I genuinely love.

Sometimes changing plans is exactly what we need.

That, and perhaps a nice pot of homemade soup. 😊

🍯 Honey

Enjoy the joy. Enjoy the pain. Enjoy the living.