I recently stayed at my brother’s house and picked up an issue of National Geographic and read an article titled, Why Travel Should be Considered an Essential Human Activity by author and speaker, Eric Weiner. I loved reading his thoughts on travel and decided I wanted to share some of my own go-see-do AND learn experiences in today’s episode.

I started by opening my Notes app and adding to list I started last year of ALL the places I’ve been. Next to each I want to briefly describe an experience or take away from my time there. Of course anyone can do this, but most people never will. I get it. We’re busy. But I also believe there are ways to document—even personal ways—that can be worked into the busiest of days. At the end of the episode I’m inviting you to join me for a NEW online class, called Quick Trip Travel (so stay tuned).

So, as I was doing a little digging for an opening song, I came across Brenda Tharp, her photography and blog. I loved this from her …

Changes in latitude, changes in attitude … I have always loved that phrase in Jimmy Buffet’s popular song. When we move about the country or world, the changes in our latitude bring about changes in our attitude. How could they not? We are experiencing new scenery, new ways the light illuminates the land, possibly new birds and animals. We are meeting new people, having fresh experiences, and I don’t know about you, but this always opens my heart and soul to see and appreciate the places I visit.

Look more about Brenda and her work here:
Outdoor Photographer & Blogger

My opportunities to travel a bit—both inside the United States and abroad—have changed me. What I have seen has amazed me and often challenged my thinking. People and cities and museums and historical sites help me shape new thoughts and beliefs. I’ve stood in Trafalgar Square and at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. I’ve sat in the shade of the Golden Temple in Kyoto, Japan and I’ve been in Nelson Mandela’s house in Soweto, South Africa. I’ve floated a river in Belize that winds through dark caves and jungle. It doesn’t really matter where I go or what I do. Each time and in every place I understand more clearly what I do NOT know, and as counterintuitive as it sounds, I really like that. In fact, this is the main reason I still want to travel—a lot. Especially after a pandemic that has threatened our wanderings. I’ve admired too many people and cultures that I had previously only known in text books or on Wikipedia pages and I’m simply not done learning about and exploring this BIG, strange, beautiful and inspiring world that we live in.

My hope is that something I share today will inspire you to plan a trip—to the lake, to a national monument or park or to a new country halfway across the world.

📸 Of course what I most want to do is help you document some of the travel-related pictures you’ve already taken and some of the thoughts and experiences you don’t want to forget. This is why I’m inviting you to join me for Quick Trip Travel —my latest online class. Unlike my yearlong courses this class doesn’t require tons of time and is totally affordable. In it I will share step-by-step my FAVORITE method for quickly documenting trips and travel. You’ll decide what size album you want to create and I’ll show you how to build your own kit from new purchases or your stash of pretty papers and embellishments. IF you don’t want to expand that kind of energy, you can purchase a Story by Stacy Short Story kit from Close To My Heart and know that you have everything you need.

Watch this video and then use this LINK to learn more and know that as soon as you register, you can begin preparing with materials posted in the classroom. IF you have any questions, don’t be shy. Reach out. Email me stacy@stacyjulian.com or send me a DM on Instagram @stacyjulian .

❤️ I opened this episode with the song, Changes in Latitude … by the legendary Jimmy Buffet AND, I played a SpeakPipe message from Julie F. who will be receiving a Story Starter kit from my Story by Stacy line with Close To My Heart.