Two weeks of traveling have been nothing short of transformative.

My first long overseas trip since before the pandemic, and it allowed all my inner characters to loosen up. Wendy the Worrier became Wendy the Walker. Polly the Planner eased into Polly the Playful. And Sally the Serious evolved into Sally the Soulful.

The shift began in Amsterdam. Walking and exploring became a kind of meditation—slowing down, savoring the sights and sounds, letting curiosity guide the way. A leisurely morning canal ride. A candlelit dinner by the water. Standing in awe before the Dutch Masters—windows into both the drama and daily life of another era. The delightful discovery of a rare woman master, Judith Leyster, whose unique talent earned her that status, though full appreciation came much later. And then the sobering experience of Anne Frank’s Annex, her ability to capture, through a young girl’s eyes, the increasing contraction of life yet with a pure and open heart.

By week two in France, the letting go had fully taken hold. Honfleur—with its cobblestone streets, art-filled corners, centuries-old church, and yes, a frightening amount of cheese—welcomed me into an even more effortless way of being. Perhaps it was the air, or the joy of celebrating with old and new friends, but all traces of “must do, must say, must be” melted away. As a mindful learning professional, I often speak of experiential learning. On this trip, it became experiential living.

My greatest teacher, though, was my dear friend—the woman behind the unforgettable celebration, marking her birthday, her return to France, and a new chapter. I’ve written before about fear, exploring ways to live beyond its grip. Well, she could teach a masterclass in fearless living. Exceptionally creative and enthusiastic in business, she now applies that to the even more important business of life. Her contagious joie de vivre enlivened everyone around her and left me with three lessons for living well:

• Say yes to travel. Broaden your horizons whenever you can, whether to Venice, Vienna, or Vietnam.
• Embrace a theme. From florals for French elegance to feathers for Venetian flair (or pink sequins for a song and dance!), it makes memories more vivid—and the photos even better.
• Keep family and friends at the forefront. They are the truest treasures in this fleeting, magical experience we call life.

These two weeks reminded me that I don’t want to wait for milestones—or France—to live this way.

Here’s to saying yes, living fully, and keeping the magic alive—even after the suitcase is unpacked.