Unintentional breaks

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I blogged. I feel like I say that a lot [lol] but it’s true. I always end up taking unintentional breaks when I travel or when I get busy with life and don’t leave myself white space for creating and writing. Sometimes that’s okay though, especially when I’m traveling because that brings me so much inspiration.

I wanted to write this blog tonight because I’ve been feeling so fuori di testa lately…which in English is less fun to say, I’ve been feeling like I’ve just been floating around and like I don’t know what day/week/month/year it is or what I’m doing or what I need to be doing.

As you guys know, I was in Italy over the summer and I got back in the beginning of September. I had a really grounded fall, spending a lot of time at my apartment in Minnesota, working on this blog and other passion projects, getting my life organized, and traveling to avoid the depression of staying in one place (and let’s be honest, the post-Italy blues that always consume me). I went to California in October and New York in November and then, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I flew back to Italy.

I only spent 2.5 weeks in Rome this time, which was really weird for me to be honest. I’m so used to being there for months at a time, that it was exhausting to be there for such a short amount of time (but SO worth it, no question there). About halfway through my time there I got sick, and I came back with a sinus infection. I finally got some meds, we celebrated Christmas the weekend before the actual date with all my relatives, then I caught the flu and was out for the whole week before Christmas. I took three covid tests that were all negative, and I barely made it to Christmas Eve with my family because I was still not feeling 100%. As I write this I am still not there but I hope to be soon.

Anyways, being abroad and then being sick leading up to the holidays really mixed into a perfect storm and I feel so disconnected right now. It’s the end of the year, I just want to be enjoying the holidays with my family and friends and be out and about, but it’s been hard since I was sick. Plus, I’m traveling at the beginning of January back to California for work (and part pleasure) then my sister and I have to move out of our apartment. So, needless to say there’s a lot going on and my goal for this week of vacation between Christmas and New Years is to really feel grounded so that I can handle all the change that’s coming at the beginning of 2023. It’s time to reign in the million to-do lists I have scattered around so I can start the year organized, refreshed, and focused.

Plus, I don’t know if anyone else starts to feel the pressure of all these year-end wraps, but I certainly do. While I always encourage people in my life to start over and to make goals and life changes when it feels right, there is something about the end of the year that really forces a reflection. I like to take some time by myself, with my journal, to reflect on how the year went. It’s always worthwhile to look back and see what happened this year, and especially to sit with gratitude for all the beauty that I experienced.

If your year doesn’t make it into a 15-second video on Instagram or TikTok though, seriously, don’t fret. It’s more important that you reflect by yourself (because also, social media is a highlight reel). I don’t even share half of my life on there, it’s actually crazy how much you can omit. But privacy is really important in a lot of ways and a lot of parts of my life, and I’m going to keep it that way.

I’ve already started thinking back on 2022, and wow…it has truly been a YEAR. I could have never ever imagined a year like this way back in January. And now, as we turn the corner to 2023, I have big plans and I feel like I’m finally following through on dreams that I’ve been working on and wanting for years. It feels like everything is possible again, and it’s such a beautiful thing.

Anyways, I didn’t really know where this post would lead when I started it. I’m glad I could write a little check-in, and I hope to write more soon about my time in Italy this November/December. It was very powerful for me and solidified that I want my life in Roma. More on that soon I’m sure…

Hope you are all enjoying a holiday break! Much love, xxMaggie