Mind(ful) Travel: Check Your Expectations With Your Luggage!

Have you ever thought of travel as self-care? If not, there is no time like the present. We have to get away to go up; and science agrees – travel can reduce stress and elevate happiness! However, we must be mindful in our journey.

As we know, summertime is fast approaching and vacation season is upon us. However, the weight of our expectations can be a barrier – preventing us from experiencing the beauty of the moment.

If you are like many of us that love to travel – you may be fueling your excitement by scrolling through glorious pics on Pinterest or Travel Noire – salivating over the delightful cuisine, the turquoise blue beaches and anticipation of the local culture, attractions, music and vibes!

However, so often we arrive at our new destination with a picture perfect image – our expectations. If we are not careful, our expectations can rob us of experiencing the true beauty that lies in the imperfections of our utopian experience!

Below are 5 wonderful ways to travel mindfully – set the intention for self-care:

• Check Expectations – with your luggage – except unlike your bags, they stay at the airport!
• Escape – from the familiar and leave the stress behind.
• Experience  –  the now, be fully present, close your eyes, take in the new sounds, language, aromas, feel the breeze and sun – breathe and just be!
• Explore – set an intention to be open to new people, cuisine, language and culture. Try a history or food tour, take a dance or cooking class, go on an adventure or excursion.
• Expand & Elevate – your mind, vision and territory. By simply swimming in the middle of the ocean or hiking in nature, one can open their mind to awe and limitless possibilities of God.  This is where the real dreaming and vision casting begins!

Traveling is a great time to evaluate how much of our expectations are weighing down our lives wholistically. Perhaps we need to check our bags a bit more!

To learn more about Naya’s coaching, consulting or speaking services, visit www.myspautopia.com/. 

About Naya Powell

Naya F. Powell is a 3rd generation entrepreneur and Founder of Spa Utopia, Inc. (SU) and the Utopia Living Brand. SU is a luxury spa on-demand – essentially the “LYFT” for luxe spa & *wholistic wellness experiences. Spa Utopia’s client list includes: the 2019 Super Bowl – NFL Legends, The Ritz Carlton, WeWork, Martha Stewart, P. Diddy, Angela Bassett and Marlon Wayans.

Naya is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, College of Executive Coaching and Google For Startups. Naya and her companies have been featured on in various publications to include: Upscale, Best-Self, Rolling Out and the Triangle Tribune.

Naya is also a certified executive coach, *wholistic lifestyle strategist, massage therapist and mindfulness facilitator. She offers 10+ years of entrepreneurial and corporate experience in HR/Global Talent Acquisition, Diversity and Inclusion and Tech. Naya is also the  author of Nourishing Your Mind, Body and Spirit – audio coaching CD.

Additionally, Naya has served as president for Marathon, Inc. a government contracting business in Washington, DC and Atlanta; and Vice Chair for Red Hat’s B.U.I.L.D. (Black United in Leadership and Diversity) ERG – community.

Naya believes Utopia Living is giving. She serves on the Board of the Daniel Center and speaks at various colleges and universities. Additionally, Naya is a global mentor to The Woman Boss in The Gambia – West Africa.

Naya’s mission is to spread life-giving services to the world and empower others to live their most passionate lives on purpose…wholistically!