Have you ever experienced the rush of adventure while travelling then had an unexpected emotional or physical blindside when you returned home? I recently experienced adventures in Morocco including camel riding in the majestic Sahara Desert at Dusk. A week later, I was bathing in self pity, isolating at home with an unwanted travel souvenir, Covid. It was a stark, unwelcome contrast. The thrill of travel was quickly fading away, leaving me grappling with the sudden illness, stillness and solitude .

This undesired period of isolation turned out to be a lasting gift of transformation, from wanderlust to wisdom. I eventually found great freedom, meaning and joy in solitude, acceptance, trust and appreciation.

Adventure, travel, new experiences – the juice of life, we all crave it and find ways to fulfil our desires. As we seek fun, learning and wonder we grow and develop and become better versions of ourselves. What about relishing surprises? Oh a resounding YES!!! We all love surprises, well kind of. We love the surprises that we see as positive but others we dislike, we see as being unwanted, negative, challenges….

I was so invigorated by my trip to Morocco and ready to just step back into life at home. I had plans – I was ready to rock! Curiously, the day after I returned home, I was feeling exceptionally under the weather but thought it was just jet lag. Boom! Surprise! I had an unwanted souvenir from my travels, Covid!! The pity party began – I was frustrated, angry – “why me, it can’t be.” I was going to fight this illness. Well, my adult temper tantrum lasted for a couple of days – then I changed my Question – “what are the gifts, benefits of isolation, rest?” I did Self Hypnosis and eventually settled into acceptance. I discovered new pleasures and adventures and the freedom of slowing down.

The new opportunities I embraced included: – creating a photo book of Morocco -Reading enjoying my Book Club Book in its entirety (a first, in two years) ⁃ Resting and listening to my body -Completing personal development exercises (they’d been in a folder for months) -Connecting with friends by phone calls (wow, not my usual quick texts) ⁃Watching guilty pleasure TV and feeling marvellous (The Bridgerton’s)

• Enjoying Neighbourhood solitary strolls
• Admiring nature’s beauty from the window
• Cuddling with our cats
• Just Breathing

To grow through my pity party, I needed to choose to enjoy and accept the healing journey. I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned, embraced and taken forward into my daily life:

• trust it will work out
• interrupt negative self talk with action
• appreciate each moment
• be curious
• what’s the lesson in this experience?

I excited to see what surprises today holds, I’m especially curious about those unwanted surprises that are the real adventures in life.