Hi friend!
Last week, Curt and I spent a week hiking and exploring Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. And while the views along the Cabot Trail were stunning, what lingers strongest in my memory are the little moments that came from saying yes to things just a bit different than the norm.
We didn’t stay at big chain hotels. Instead, we chose places that promised charm, a bit of uniqueness—and what we received were moments that we couldn’t have quite predicted.
Our first stop was a beautifully restored boutique hotel in the heart of Sydney. Furnished with antiques and beautiful art, it felt like stepping back in time. But here's what really made it special. Shoes were left at the door. This created this sense of home, and encouraged strangers in the lobby to strike up conversations instead of passing on the way out the door. We chatted with a gentleman from Norway who was there on business and others who were vacationing. It felt less like a hotel and more like a gathering place.
Then, across the island, we stayed with an artist who welcomed us into the loft space above his home. From the deck, we looked out over the sea and his sculpture-filled garden. One evening, we sat outside sipping wine and watching a picture perfect sunset. It was idyllic and a view far different from the ones we would have seen from the balconies of a local hotel. He took us on a tour of his work and shared the meaning behind each piece. Together we reflected on creativity, time, and what matters most to each of us.
And then there was the sea glass.
I overheard a few locals chatting about a nearby Sea Glass Festival, and on a whim, we sought it out. Turns out, that stretch of beach is one of the best spots in the region to search for sea glass. We spent a slow afternoon beach-combing and I came home with a pocketful that I hope to turn into a memento of the trip.
When I thought about sharing this with you this morning, I think these experiences point to the fact that a rich life isn’t about wealth—it’s about choosing more deliberately. With more curiosity. With more wonder. And in the process finding moments you didn't plan but that stay with you long after.
If you’re feeling like your days are all starting to blend together, maybe it’s time to seek out more of the unusual. The unique. The meaningful.
Here are a few tips to help you get started whether you are vacationing or in your own neck of the woods.
- Choose places with personality. Whether it’s travel or dinner out, seek local, handmade, or small-batch over mass-produced. Personality leaves an impression.
- Follow the whispers. If something piques your curiosity—chase it. That’s often where the magic lives.
- Talk to strangers. Whether in a hotel lobby or waiting in line, connection is everywhere if you’re open to it.
- Pick up things along your journey. A rock, a leaf, a piece of sea glass. Let it be a physical reminder of a moment that made you feel alive.
- Let the experience shape you. Don’t just go somewhere. Feel something. Ask yourself what made an experience special. And then take that home with you, too.
Wishing you a week full of the kinds of moments you’ll still be thinking about long after they’ve passed.
With love and presence, Julie
I embrace the unique, take the road less traveled
and live a full and interesting life.
What We Loved This Week
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