It is what it is. 😌 Lessons from my Mediterranean cruise

"When are you planning to go?"

"Next year, October 2019. Do you want to come?"

My cousins and their wives had come down to visit us from NJ. Out of the blue, Denise mentioned the Mediterranean cruise they were going on.

I turned to Jay and told him I always wanted to go on a cruise. And the Mediterranean?! 

Uh, yes, please! 🙋‍♀️

It sounded like the perfect scenario. We’d have a year to budget and save for the vacation. Neither Jay nor I had been on a cruise before and what better way to explore Europe for the first time than a somewhat structured trip? ✅

Oh the best laid plans…

The first hiccup was a transportation strike in Barcelona where we were flying in. My cousins and us ended up on different flights coming in on different days. 😳

My anxiety was through the roof! I wasn't expecting to have to navigate everything on our own. It didn’t matter that I spoke Spanish fluently! I was having a new experience and I had no idea what to expect. 😵

I wound myself up so tight that I came down with a migraine. Jay suggested I take a day off from sight seeing and have a spa day.

Once I took my mind off having control over things, I could just “be.” The situation wasn’t good nor bad. It just was.

That’s how we have to look at our past money mistakes. So you went a little crazy and splurged on that girls weekend trip and now are behind on your debt elimination plan.

It’s not good. It’s not bad. It just is.

Beating yourself up about it is not going to make you feel any better nor motivate you to all of a sudden become the perfect money manager.

Take the pressure off, throw on some self compassion and grace, and move forward. Start over with a clean slate the next day. Just don’t stop when you hit a roadblock. Keep going.

I wish I could say that it all worked out and I ended up having the most amazing time ever. I had a so-so time. But I’m glad I had the experience!

So much so that I’m looking forward to exploring Europe again some day. This time with a much more open mind. 😉

 
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(Jay and me in Barcelona)

Tell me, Have you had an event you were really looking forward to that did not turn out as you expected? Let me know!

Until next time. 🤗💞

Kat

Carly Merryweather