Taking Breaks Is Important. So Is Going Somewhere New.

Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and find more joy in life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

During the past two weeks, I’ve been doing a bit of traveling for both work and pleasure. A wedding. A big meeting. Meals with friends and family. And even though the travels took me on long car rides north to Maine and south to Washington, DC, I came back feeling energized and excited to dive back into my work.
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The power of a change of scenery is easy to forget. With deadlines for work I love, caregiving, and other obligations and responsibilities, the thought of making the many arrangements necessary to leave my routine for days or even a week or more often seems daunting. When I was getting ready to head to a writer’s retreat last year, amid the last-minute requests and to-dos, I turned to my husband and said, “I don’t think I can go.” He responded by putting my last bag in the car.

Somewhere Only We Know

Of course I could go. And I needed to. I came back from that trip, too, feeling refreshed and creatively charged.

I’ve written about the importance of taking breaks and vacations. We need them to enhance focus and get the rest we need. But I found this 2020 study fascinating: new and diverse experiences are linked to greater happiness. New York University researchers found, "a previously unknown connection between our daily physical environments and our sense of well-being.” The study found that exploring new environments stimulates brain areas tied to novelty and reward, boosting positive emotions like excitement and relaxation.

Of course, you’re probably only feeling those rewards once you hit the beach or wander the museum halls and not as you’re waiting on line for your rental car. But a change of scenery is good for us.

Changing Up the Everyday

But the benefits don't have to come from a big trip or even a weekend getaway. My canoe trip a few weeks ago kicked off a season of exploring for me. Since then, I've been trying to infuse my life with something new at least a few times a week, even if it's walking in a new place or working from somewhere new. Recently, when I need to get focused work done, I’ve been borrowing a friend’s very cool co-working space in a hip town near me. Working in the historic building in the heart of Asbury Park, where I can visit shops, great restaurants, or even the beach during lunchtime, gives me a boost. I often get more work done in less time than usual. And I don’t think it’s just the incentive of all the cool places around me.

Changing up the routine can take many forms. My challenge now is to find the best places and spaces for me.

Do you make it a point to change things up? How do you incorporate new places and experiences into your days? I’d love to hear how you make your routine less routine: connect@bloomanywhere.com.