As we approach the final quarter of 2024, I’m filled with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. For the first time in my life, I’m on the verge of completing a New Year’s resolution. My New Year’s resolution was simple yet would be profoundly transformative for me: to travel overnight somewhere at least once every month this year.
This journey wasn’t just about visiting new places; it was about stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing a life of adventure while strengthening connections with family and friends.
The thought of traveling always seemed overwhelming and filled me with anxiety. I have never been out of the country and have barely even traveled in my own country. A year ago, I was practically homebound, trapped by my fears and anxieties. In fact, in the spring of 2023, after a particularly stressful work trip, I had pretty much decided that I would never travel again.
But in the fall of 2023, something shifted in me—a longing for change and a desire to explore the world beyond my familiar surroundings. I decided to take a leap of faith and set this New Year’s resolution, knowing it would be challenging yet transformative.
2024 New Year’s Resolution
“To get over my fear of traveling by planning an overnight trip somewhere… anywhere … at least once every month of this year.”
~ Grandma
A Journey of Courage and Discovery
My travels this year have not been exotic, and they have not taken me to faraway lands. But I believe that they are the baby steps I needed to take to help me on my journey and to prepare me for bigger trips in the future.
In January, I began the year with a familiar and safe place only two hours away, a trip to Atlantic City, NJ, to celebrate my husband’s birthday. This was an easy one, as we go every year, but we did change up the casino that we stayed at, and I spent a lovely afternoon floating in the pool at Harrah’s.
Two separate mini-vacays with my grandkids, one to Great Wolf Lodge in February and one in July when we stayed in an Airbnb and visited Dorney Park and a dinosaur museum, were among the most heartwarming experiences. Sharing these adventures with them, seeing the world through their curious eyes, and creating lasting memories with them brought me immense joy.
Visiting two of my three brothers and sisters-in-law in March and April were definitely highlights of my year. One of these trips was particularly special as it coincided with the 2024 total solar eclipse. Even though it was too cloudy to see the eclipse, I was transformed in a way that was profound and yet completely indescribable. (I do my best to describe it here.)
A trip back to Atlantic City to visit with my niece and nephew in May allowed me to strengthen family bonds and create cherished memories with them. Their youthful energy and enthusiasm were infectious, reminding me of the joy of embracing life’s adventures. I also had a fantastic experience watching the sun rise over the ocean, and I found a colossal seashell that now lives on one of my altars.
Two family camping trips, one in the woods in June and a beach camping trip at Assateague State Park in August, provided a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature and find peace in the simplicity of life. These trips reminded us of the beauty surrounding us and the importance of slowing down to appreciate it.
The trip to Assateague brought up some terrific memories of a family beach vacation to Chincoteague 10+ years ago when we watched the annual pony swim. However, it sadly also brought heartache, a loss that I have yet to recover from, and nearly brought my quest to complete my New Year’s resolution to an end.
I also made a two-hour overnight trip to visit my mom, a second trip in August, a trip that was both heartwarming and nostalgic. Spending time with her, reminiscing about the past, and creating new memories when we went to the Beach Boys concert and walked the boardwalk in Ocean City reminded me of the importance of family and the connections that ground us.
A solo four-day overnight camping trip to Spirit Kindred, a women’s music and medicine gathering, was both thrilling and nerve-wracking for me. My sister-in-law, Shannah, was joining me on Saturday, but I was basically on my own for Thursday and Friday in an unknown place without the comfort of knowing anyone except for Shannon’s friend Kylie, who I had met two weeks prior in Assateague. I almost didn’t go, as the wound of losing Ember was still very fresh, but I am so glad I did. One of the highlights was the Cacao Ceremony; afterward, we danced around the flames as we honored the gods and goddesses. It was there that I finally let Ember go, knowing that he will always live in my heart.
This retreat was significant because it represented a new chapter in my life—one where I stepped into new experiences and embraced the unknown. I actually even rented a car (the first time ever!) to make the four-hour trek to Ithaca, NY, and then extended my stay by an extra night to spend more time with my brother in Painted Post, NY, and the next day in Corning, NY to see my sister-in-law’s amazing art exhibit, Veneration.
On the way home, my cell phone lost signal, and Google Maps wasn’t working, so I ended up driving aimlessly, lost, for several hours, until I found myself at the entrance of the Worlds End State Park. While I didn’t explore it because I needed to get home before dark, it will definitely make it onto my 2025 New Year’s resolutions!
Upcoming Adventures
I have three more months to complete my New Year’s resolution. In October, I will be traveling to Las Vegas for a work trip and look forward to seeing my friends and co-workers. For November’s trip, I hope to take an overnight trip to Jim Thorpe, PA, with my hubby. And, in December, I plan to ring in the New Year with a dear friend down in Florida.
Reflecting on My Transformative Journey
This year has been a journey of courage and self-discovery. Each trip pushed me a little further out of my comfort zone and taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the power of human connection. Traveling on a regular basis has helped make it feel a little easier and has shown me that the world is full of wonders waiting to be explored and that I am capable of overcoming my fears.
As I reflect on this past year, I’m grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have come my way. Completing this New Year’s resolution has not only transformed my perception of travel but has also empowered me to pursue other dreams and aspirations. It’s a reminder that change is possible and that every step taken toward a goal is a victory.
Looking Forward: My 2025 New Year’s Resolution
As I look forward to the final months of this year, I’m excited about the adventures yet to come and the personal growth they will bring. This journey has taught me that life is about embracing the unknown and seizing every opportunity to explore, learn, and grow.
In closing, I encourage anyone who feels trapped by fear or uncertainty to take a leap of faith and embark on their own journey of self-discovery. The world is full of possibilities, and each step you take brings you closer to becoming the person you aspire to be.
As I near the completion of my 2024 goals, I’m already planning my 2025 New Year’s resolution. It will build on this year’s journey, with perhaps one or two trips that push me even further out of my comfort zone—both in distance and experience. I know it will once again include a trip to Vegas for work, to Spirit Kindred in Ithaca (highly recommend), and to Worlds End State Park, but the rest is unplanned.
I have always wanted to drive up the west coast and stay in Laguna Beach, CA. I have a friend in Los Angeles, so that might be a possibility. I also do consulting work for a company in Maine, so a road trip up there sounds like a nice idea. I do not think I am ready for an International trip quite yet … but there are some total solar eclipses coming up in 2026 (Iceland) and 2027 (Egypt) that are on my radar. I guess only time will tell if I make it there. But I am hopeful that I will.
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Grandma. I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers while I was growing up and I have many happy memories of each of them. Today, I live in a “Grandmother’s House” where my husband and I enjoy lots of time with our family. In addition to my role as Grandma to nine grandchildren, I am a daughter, a wife, a mother of three grown children, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a writer, an artist … and a witch.
✨Grandma’s Grimoire✨ is a collection of family wisdom interwoven with a touch of magick. Our goal is to create a living and lasting legacy that we hope will inspire our future generations as well as anyone who is drawn to it.