Kate and Sophie were sitting at a cozy café in downtown Beijing enjoying their afternoon tea. Sophie had just come back from her latest travel escapade and Kate was eager to hear all about it.
"Tell me everything, Sophie," Kate said excitedly, sipping her Earl Grey tea. "How was your trip?"
"It was amazing, Kate! I went to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I had such an incredible time exploring different cultures, trying new foods, and meeting new people," Sophie replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"That sounds incredible," Kate replied, intrigued. "What was your favorite part of the trip?"
Sophie gushed and took a deep breath, "Definitely the people. The warmth and hospitality of the locals were just amazing. I've made some good friends, even attended a wedding ceremony in Cambodia! The cultural exchange is a beautiful thing."
Kate smiled, "I'm so thrilled that you had such a great experience. I need to take a trip like that soon; it's been a while since I traveled."
"Yes, you should! It's such a great way to break out of your routine and experience new things," Sophie said encouragingly.
Kate nodded, "That's true. I've just been so busy with work lately that I don't have the time to plan a trip."
Sophie looked at Kate with concern, "Kate, you work too much. You need to take a break every once in a while or you'll burn out."
Kate sighed, "I know, I know. But work has been so demanding lately, and I just have so much to do."
They had only been friends for a short time, but it's as if they've always known each other!
Sophie looked at Kate with a stern expression, "Kate, you need to prioritize your well-being. Work will always be there, but your health and mental wellness are just as critical."
Kate took a sip of her tea and pondered on Sophie's words. "You're right, Sophie. I need to make more time for myself."
Sophie smiled, "Good, that's what I like to hear. We can plan a trip together! We can go somewhere new, experience new things, and recharge our batteries."
Kate's face lit up, "That's a great idea! We should start thinking about where we want to go."
Sophie grinned, "I'm thinking about going to Brazil or Argentina. I've never been to South America, and I've always wanted to learn how to dance the Tango."
Kate nodded her head, "That sounds incredible! Brazil would be amazing, especially since there is an upcoming carnival. The colors and energy of the festival are so vibrant."
Sophie looked at Kate with anticipation, "Yes! Let's do it! We can plan our trip around the carnival."
Kate smiled, feeling hopeful for the first time in a while. "Let's do it," she agreed enthusiastically.
Sophie looked at Kate with concern, "But Kate, not only should we prioritize our travel, but we should also make sure our day-to-day life is in check. Do you need help delegating your workload or finding ways to make your routine more manageable?"
Kate appreciated Sophie's concern, "Thanks, Sophie. That means a lot to me. I think I can handle it, but I'll definitely let you know if I need any help."
Sophie nodded, "Just remember, Kate, you don't have to do everything by yourself. Don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it."
Kate smiled, "Thanks a lot, Sophie. You're such a good friend."
Sophie returned the smile, "That's what friends are for, Kate. Looking out for each other."
The girls chatted for a while longer, enjoying their tea and planning their travel. Kate felt grateful for Sophie's support and encouragement. She realized that she needed to prioritize her well-being, and the trip to Brazil was just the right motivation she needed.
As they said goodbye and hugged it out, Kate felt lighter, motivated to take charge of her life once more. She left the café feeling inspired, determined to make time for herself and take control of her life.
But before that holiday with Sophie it will still take some time.
*I feel guilty, but I need to achieve some stability before I dare to do anything beyond my means.*
She walked back to her apartment, feeling a surge of energy and optimism. She decided to make a list of things she wanted to do before the trip, and how she could achieve them.
She grabbed a pen and a notebook, and sat down on her couch. She wrote down the following:
Save money for the trip. She calculated how much she would need for the flight, the accommodation, the food, and the activities. She set a realistic budget and a savings goal. She decided to cut down on unnecessary expenses, such as eating out, buying clothes, and subscribing to streaming services.
Finish her work projects. She had two major projects to complete before the end of the month, and she wanted to do them well. She planned her schedule and divided her tasks into manageable chunks. She set deadlines and milestones for each task. She vowed to focus on her work and avoid distractions.
Pack her suitcase. She researched what to pack for Brazil, considering the weather, the culture, and the activities. She made a checklist of items she needed, such as clothes, shoes, toiletries, documents, and gadgets. She sorted out her wardrobe and donated or sold the things she didn't need or want anymore.
Learn some Portuguese. She wanted to be able to communicate with the locals and enjoy the culture more. She downloaded a language learning app and signed up for an online course. She committed to spending at least 30 minutes a day learning new words and phrases. She also watched some Brazilian movies and listened to some Brazilian music to get familiar with the accent and the slang.
She looked at her list and felt proud of herself. She had a clear vision of what she wanted to do and how to do it. She felt confident that she could achieve her goals and have a wonderful time in Brazil.
She smiled and closed her notebook. She turned on her laptop and opened her email. She typed a message to Sophie:
Hey Sophie, I'm so excited for our trip! I've made a list of things I want to do before we go, and I'm determined to make them happen. How about you?
She hit send and leaned back on her couch. She felt happy and hopeful. She knew that this trip was going to be the best thing that ever happened to her.