Self Care Spotlight

For the season finale, I brought Brad onto the show to give you a life update, chat our biggest life perspective shifts, and talk about our healing journey as individuals and as a couple since his brain injury cycling accident. We talk about moving forward WITH the experience versus moving on FROM the experience. I ask Brad how it feels to have a second chance at life and how his perspective changed from feeling punished to feeling blessed. It's about time + consciousness, not just sitting around idly waiting for "time to heal all wound." Brad talks about his patience level as one of his biggest changes, as he used to feel very restless, impatient and always feeling he has to be further ahead. He talks about his new appreciation of stillness and presence, whereas before, meditation was never interesting. I ask him if he feels content with life and I answer the same. We talk about how much we radically feel like ourselves now that we're on other side of so much pain and FINALLY in our own home again after 8 months of living in his parent's basement apartment to aid in his physical recovery. That brings up the different kinds of healing: physical, spiritual, emotional/mental and the power of our environment over our willpower and motivation. We discuss how/when we realized that the majority of his physical healing was done and  that our emotional/spiritual healing needed to take a front seat, which meant we needed to move out of his parents. We squeal about our new apartment and how much we radically feel like ourselves and a husband and wife again after losing that intimate connection. We of course talk about my 2022 book and how I feel more peace and acceptance around the fact that his voice has changed. We conclude with the difference between "why did this happen to ME?" versus "WHY did this happen to me?" Thank you for a beautiful season 6 - this episode feels full circle and I so look forward to the fall season!__________________Your 100th Episode Gift! BODY ART "thorns and roses" 90 minute embodied dance writing workshop to somaticize the thorns and roses of life and life. alyssakuzins.com/rosesTo check out the BODY ART MEMBERSHIP + AMBASSADORSHIP head here.Got a minute? Give SCS a 5 star rating!Got 5 minutes? Write SCS a stellar review to get the word out!Deepest gratitude for listening and sharing, friends! Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Ever thought about being a creative for a living or are in the midst of that path or are simply inspired by those whose presence oozes depth and art? Then you’re going to love this conversation! Marcus Amaker is the epitome of Artist as an award winning spoken word poet, graphic designer and musician and the Poet Laureate of Charleston.He addresses the stereotype of the “starving artist” narrative to overcome our fears around pursing our creativity for a living and gives 3 tips on imposter syndrome. He provides fascinating insight into the child versus adult mind based on his experience working in schools. We talk about how/when we lose our identification as “artist” and what that term even means. Marcus generously offers a “self portrait” writing prompt PDF that he uses in schools to get kids writing their feelings, which you’ll find in the show notes for free (yes, it's for adults too). We talk about what a Poet Laureate actually does, how he became one, and of course I ask him about his feelings on Amanda Gorman. We talk joy triggers, trauma porn, and I ask Marcus how he strikes a balance between pain and joy in this world, especially as a writer and black man. He tells me that balance doesn’t exist and asks us to look to how we respond to children’s joy versus our own. We also talk about a second artist stereotype, that you have to suffer for great Art, in which Marcus refutes such argument. We talk healthy, empathic ways of processing stress and pain through creativity, and all of this concludes with Marcus sharing his take on self care as a self emptying. He reads 3 poems aloud, and the one on self love gave me the biggest chills! ________________Connect with Alyssa @alyssakuzins on Instagram.Your 100th Episode Gift! BODY ART "thorns and roses" 90 minute embodied dance writing workshop to somaticize the thorns and roses of life and life. alyssakuzins.com/rosesFor Marcus's books, albums, the "self portrait" writing prompt PDF:  alyssakuzins.com/marcus-amakerGot a minute? Give SCS a 5 star rating!Got 5 minutes? Write SCS a stellar review to get the word out!Deepest gratitude for listening and sharing, friends! Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Aija Mayrock was a young girl with a speech impediment who was bullied, even told to “kill herself,” but now she’s a 25 year old spoken word poet who has shared her words with over four million people. Aija is a humble soul who is sharing the experience of girlhood to womanhood and finding your voice with her latest book, Dear Girl. We talk about vulnerabilty breeding vulnerabilty, and about the power of not just having a voice, but using your voice. Writing became her outlet for safe expression when speaking up failed her, but as an adult, she’s taking her power back by speaking up and sharing the truth of her written word. We talk the power of embodied words, why she chose the term “girl” versus woman in her book title, and how you can be afraid and do it anyways. We also discuss how we tend to blame ourselves or avoid asking for help because we assume that we must be doing something wrong. She talks about how she broke that cycle, and we discuss healing the little girl in all of us. Finally, we talk beauty privilege and self care as allowing yourself to grow. And about halfway through the episode, Aija shares a piece called “Wounds Like Crowned Jewels” that had me smirking up a storm! ----------------------Connect with Alyssa @alyssakuzins on Instagram.For Aija's book and show notes head to alyssakuzins.com/aija-mayrockGot a minute? Give SCS a 5 star rating!Got 5 minutes? Write SCS a stellar review to get the word out!Deepest gratitude for listening and sharing, friends! Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Naked, powerful poetry and prose on heartbreak, love and sobriety - that’s what Jon Lupin, better known as @ThePoetryBandit to his almost 200k followers on Instagram, is all about. The sweetly humorous, Jon, rekindled his love of the creative arts after his ex wife bought a type writer and he began sharing writing in the early days of IG poets. He self published his first book, My Sober Little Moon, in 2014, and shared that he wrote much of it while still battling alcoholism. He said it reminds him and others why those chose sobriety. Jon is also staunchly honest about his particular kind of OCD that causes incessant overthinking, his divorce, his drunken stupors and even pokes fun of himself with how his IG handle used to be @thehopelessloser. In his opinion, poetry throughout the centuries will always have an air of suffering to it, as is the human condition. As such, we discuss how we become addicted to our suffering, how some only love us when we’re suffering, and we ruminate over the age old question, do you have to suffer to make great art? Jon even nerds out with me over the structural differences between prose and poetry that makes for a different psychological, emotional experience for the reader, which helps us answer the question, “Why do I love that poem?” Jon is also the author of You Only Love Me When I’m Suffering and Encyclopedia of a Broken Heart. This is an intelligent, honest, and surprisingly funny conversation that shouldn’t be missed!  _______________________Connect with Alyssa @alyssakuzins on Instagram.For Jon’s books and show notes head to alyssakuzins.com/the-poetry-bandit Got a minute? Give SCS a 5 star rating!Got 5 minutes? Write SCS a stellar review to get the word out!Deepest gratitude for listening and sharing, friends! Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

“My mental health wouldn’t be where it is today without poetry.”At the age of 19, Cassie Wood aka cm.writer, is the youngest guest I’ve had on my show. A Canadian poetess who has already written 3 poetry compilations, Cassie is most definitely going places! In this episode, we strongly focus on the ability of poetry to aid in our mental health and navigate the inevitable changes of life. Cassie shares her struggles as a teen with an old soul these days and how we have to have patience in the blossoming. We also discuss the Gen Z approach to pronouns, why she advocates for this, and how she sees life through the perspective of Queer. We talk Purpose as happiness and on a structural level why she writes in short form prose on Instagram versus her books. And then of course, we get to her books! We talk about “inspiration hits,” how we “paint women red,” and she recites 3 pieces for us! A beautiful share for adults to teens!  _____________________Episode show notes + Cassie's books and Etsy shop: alyssakuzins.com/cassie-woodGot a sec? Give SCS a 5 star rating! Got 5 min? Give SCS a lovely review so other listeners know why it's so awesome here!Connect with Alyssa on Instagram @alyssakuzins Much love and gratitude for being here! xxSupport the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

“Words turn you on.” I couldn’t agree more with Ukrainian poetess, Sasha Nudel, author of A Mouth Full of Lust, who emigrated to the US when she was 16. Sasha describes how, although, she never planned on becoming a mother, how motherhood awakened her to her sensuality and sexuality. She not only gave birth to a child, but finally to her creative passions and lust for life. She challenges the narrative and reminds us that motherhood does not equal martyrdom. Sasha also describes how this indescribable love helped her relate to others, not just lovers, sensually. We expand the arch of lust and discuss why the pursuit of lust, not just love, is SO worthwhile in the short time we have in this life, along with why writing sensually and about our fantasies is so potent, especially for women. #wordporn The conversation ends with our love languages and the power of touch. Lucky for you, Sasha reads aloud multiple juicy pieces throughout the episode!-------------Episode shownotes + Sasha's book: alyssakuzins.com/sasha-nudelGot a sec? Give SCS a 5 star rating! Got 5 min? Give SCS a lovely review so other listeners know why it's so great here!Connect with Alyssa on Instagram @alyssakuzins Much love and gratitude for being here! xxSupport the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

“Words not for the ears but for the soul", that’s what guest, Arielle Estoria has to offer. In my opinion, Arielle is one of the best, modern spoken word poets. A writer, poet, emcee, speaker, and model, Arielle tells it like it is, and when questioned, told me poetry is healing, simply because it is! She calls us to question why we need to understand everything. We discuss the rise of poetry in popular culture and yet why she believes we need more of it. She talks about how she balances her love of fashion and the art of captivating an audience without distracting them from her words. Arielle describes herself as a professional feeler and reads aloud three spoken word pieces, including “Bloom From These Tombs,” which came out amongst the racial injustices and tragedies of 2020. She tells us that anger doesn’t sit well with her and explains what she believes is the mission of poetry; hope and healing, at least hers. It’s about seeking beauty in the pain, and she leaves us just that way with the triumphant spoken poem, “This is for You” to close the episode. -----------Find me on Instagram @alyssakuzins Love what you heard? Please share the episode with others who it may bring comfort. Got a sec? Give the show a 5 star, love bomb rating.Got 5 minutes? Write me a review on why you looove listening. All of this to say, thank you for healing and sharing this message!Donate to Brain Injury Association of America to support research and advocacy. Click hereSupport the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

After a year hiatus as I stepped into the role of caregiver, I’m back and with life perspectives that I never had access to before, but that I want to share.  Because as hearts heal, they share. In July 2020, my husband, Brad, a 3 time half Iron Man finisher, was in a cycling accident. He survived but with a traumatic brain injury.  Trigger warning. This first episode is just me and the mic, telling our story to set the foundations. You’ll hear me recount in raw detail what happened and how the healing journey really went, and is going 8 months out. 2.8 million people in the US sustain a TBI ever year, and I never want anyone to feel alone.This is about healing, resiliency, hope, and love. I discuss why I'm writing a book and how poetry was a healing medium that I didn't even know I needed. I recite some pieces from my book, and I'm letting you in on what this new series, Poetic Healing, is all about and why I felt called to create it. Every week after this, you’ll hear a different conversation with one of today’s well-known poetry authors on poems to heal racial injustice, sexual empowerment, to using your voice, love and more. As a bonus, they’ll share some pieces with spoken word!__________________Find me on Instagram @alyssakuzins Love what you heard? Please share the episode with others who it may bring comfort. Got a sec? Give the show a 5 star, love bomb rating.Got 5 minutes? Write me a review on why you looove listening. All of this to say, thank you for healing and sharing this message!Donate to Brain Injury Association of America to support research and advocacy. Click hereSupport the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Season 6: On July 7, 2020 at 4:30am, my husband Brad was in a cycling accident. He survived but with a traumatic brain injury. Since 2017 I’ve been dedicated to real talk self care, and this season, we’re focusing on one healing modality, writing, specifically, poetry. Welcome to the Poetic Healing, season 6 series. I’m currently writing my first poetry memoir on this journey, but in the meantime, I want to highlight the poets and poetess out there who are sharing the messy human experience through the art and catharsis of beautiful words. Because the world needs healing and hope and human relating, more than ever. Every week, you’ll hear a different conversation with one of today’s well-known poetry authors on poems to heal racial injustice, sexual empowerment, to using your voice, love and more. As a bonus, they’ll share some pieces with spoken word!! I am not here to be a poet. I am here to feel my feelings, and thus maybe help you, feel yours.Season 6 series launching Tuesday, April 6, 2021.---------Find host @alyssakuzins on Instagram or at alyssakuzins.comSupport the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

In this special episode, join Alyssa as she introduces her husband and new Co-host, Brad, as they unveil their new spin-off show, A Self Care Summer of Love, as a part of Alyssa's first ever Patreon membership for the Self Care Spotlight podcast! So what are the perks of this membership, how exactly is Brad going to be involved, what juiciness are they going to talk about, and why did he push Alyssa to do this membership (even though she resisted it). + Alyssa will explain her vision for the very first group episode live reflection chat that gets YOU access to our amazing guests! Uncensored. Relatable. Fun. Yet Deeper.Join the SCS Patreon membership for $6/month for exclusive episodes & access to guests!https://www.patreon.com/selfcarespotlightSupport the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

For the final installment of Season 5’s theme, relationships as self care, we’re talking adult friendships with The Joy List founder and author of Unlonely Planet, Jillian Richardson. During a global pandemic where seeing your friends isn’t an option, this conversation felt ironic and yet timely. Jillian told Alyssa she doesn’t really see herself as a friendship expert, but more like a communication expert, but isn’t that what we’re really talking about with mature friendships? From how friendship is like dating to how to communicate hurt feelings, Jillian provides beautiful, tangible communication techniques and wisdom. Because in a world where loneliness is just as detrimental as smoking (Jillian' drops stats), having these kinds of conversations is imperative to us finding conscious friendships to have these kinds of conversations with. This was one of the most anticipated topics of this season, and it doesn’t disappoint! _______Want a $6 community Patreon to get live group episode reflection chats and bonus content from guests? VOTE in this 30 second survey! Show Notes including books and trainings mentioned: alyssakuzins.com/self-care-spotlight/the-joy-listHang out with Alyssa on IG @alyssakuzins Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

To some, embodiment, pleasure and sexuality might seem like frivolous topics during the global pandemic of Corona virus, but Alyssa and guest, Andrea, sacred sexuality and feminine embodiment coach, wholly disagree and share why. In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of a devoted self-pleasure practice (and how it evolves), tuning into when you’re ready to be entered (by yourself or another) and how to let your partner know, de-armouring the cervix, crystal wands and yoni eggs, and the voice-yoni connection. If any of this sounds new or even scary, rest assured that Andrea and I break it down in this sisterly conversation that will have you ready to embrace your feminine essence and pleasure in the most delicious way! Andrea even graces us with her Vocal Alchemy to seal all this juiciness! ------------Use code: FEMMEPGH10 for 10% off your crystal wand or yoni purchases at https://theempoweredwoman.ca/shop Let iTunes know SCS is awesome- leave a review Get free embodied movement practices on Alyssa's Instagram @alyssakuzins Show notes for this episode including Andrea's group program, The Vessel- click hereSupport the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

If I said the secret free diet, I wouldn’t be talking about food; I would be talking about a secret free love partnership. Season 5 is all about relationships as self care, so what about the ultimate committed relationship? Marriage. February’s guest is Ted Talk speaker and NYC’s top marriage + relationship coach, Laurie Gerber. I asked questions like, why are less young people getting married? How has marriage changed? Where does she see it going? Are people inherently good? Why do we lie? And how do you have the hard conversations, especially when they’re deal breakers? We have all lied and we have all been lied to. This is a fascinating episode about using radical honesty to have the most fulfilling love partnerships that align with your values, not expectations.----Show notes include:Laurie' Ted Talk "Secret Free Diet"Your $75 off coupon code + link to Inner U courseThe Art of Honesty pdf outline to having hard conversationsPlease head to thejournaldeck.com/episode89----Got 2 minutes? Share your biggest takeaway or why you love listening to the show, and I'll put you in the self care spotlight! Leave me a voicemail at 412-218-1229. xx Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Season 5 is all about relationships as self care. The intention? To strengthen and understand our most important relationships, starting with you and your inner child. Because self care might have the word “self” in there, but we all know that how we interact with others, has everything to do with our own self worth, joy and what we bring with us from our childhoods. Whether you had a wonderful or not so wonderful upbringing, our childhoods shape our lives deeply and we all have hurts. Alyssa Mancao, a psychotherapist with a specialty in EMDR and the inner child, sat down with me to discuss the value in working with your inner child, destigmatizing therapy, the current trend of therapy, validating your unique childhood wounds, and she offers up a beautiful exercise to speak to your inner child. This episode had me thinking about my own upbringing, and it’s clear to me where I still have work to do to step fully into my power. It starts with you. Let’s journey back. ----------Drop some show love! Call my Google voicemail at 412-218-1229. I used the OG Journal Deck with Alyssa. Find it here. SHOWNOTES: thejournaldeck.com/episode-88 Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

SEASON 4 FINALE-- Wrapping up a season of inner healing, for the first time ever, Alyssa brought on a friend. Not an expert, an author or a coach, Jennifer Watt is simply a real woman doing the work. If Alyssa could pinpoint one person in her life who has done the work to heal trauma and personal wounds, it would be her dear friend and retreat assistant, Jen. Having been in therapy since she was 18, Jen, now 33, felt honored to share her healing journey and openly shares about foster care, finding out she was adopted, being raped, body image, mother wounds and contemplating suicide (trigger warning). Keeping it raw yet light, the ladies share a laugh about what she really thought while attending her first retreat led by Alyssa. Now in a place where she feels more beautiful and alive than ever, Jen shares the healing tools that helped her get here, in the hopes that her story will reach someone who needs to hear it. You might cry or laugh as these two soul sisters have a real talk conversation about what it means to do the work on the path of healing through the femme. ------Show notes: thejournaldeck.com/episode87 Jen answered a prompt from the Goddess Edition Journal Deck- shop here. Alyssa referred to episode #35 Winter's Gift of Darkness & Holiday Blues- listen here.Leave a message for Alyssa about the show in our voicemail box by dialing 412-218-1229. Alyssa listens to them personally. Just know that your voice may pop up in an episode! Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Soft. Soften. Softening. You hear your yoga teacher use this language, and when you start talking about Feminine energetic qualities, you will undoubtedly start hearing about it too. But what is it? How do we get there in a hyper masculine culture that makes our soft edges feel rigid? And what about the notion of being soft AND fierce? Admittedly, it can feel quite esoteric, and after a client jokingly said to her, "Wtf is soft?" Alyssa realized that so many of us are struggling with this concept of soft that feels unreachable and unsustainable. Alyssa breaks down her interpretation of soft from the lens of resistance and leaves you with a question you can ask yourself at any time to come into softening. She also offers up two hands-on suggestions and concludes with softness in the context of romantic relationships.___________SHOWNOTES: thejournaldeck.com/episode86 DEALS: The Journal Deck Black Friday Sale coming soon! Be sure to follow us @thejournaldeck or join our mailing list HERE so you don't miss out on our BIGGEST sale of the year- Woo! YOUR VOICE MATTERS: Did this help you think of soft in a different way? Share your favorite thought from an episode, leave a question, or some love by dialing 412-218-1229 to reach our Google voicemail box. Alyssa listens to them personally. Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

What is it about some people that makes them feel magnetic? Why do some people comes across as so alive, while others are struggling to get by and constantly exhausted? According to meditation and mind expert, Rajshree Patel, it’s about Vital Force, i.e. life force energy. This book has changed the game for me; it has impacted how I go about my self care practices and how I teach. It all comes down to Energy Intelligence. We’ll talk about Rajshree’s former life as an LA prosecutor to how she is now one of the founding teachers of the world-renowned Art of Living Retreat Centers. Today’s topics include: what is Vital Force and how to cultivate it, Shiva and Shakti, Big Mind vs. head space, why mindfulness meditation may not be for you, the art of no focus attention, and conscious journaling. She even offers up her favorite breath work exercise and has a free bonus course offering to walk you through the book’s teachings on a deeper level. And guess what? You can now give me a call with the Self Care Spotlight Google Voice Line!! Tell me your favorite thought, leave a questions, or comments by dialing 412-218-1229 to reach our voicemail box._________Show notes including The Power of Vital Force book and free book bonus course at:thejournaldeck.com/episode85 -bonus course only available through October 1, 2019OCTOBER SPONSOR: The Ultimate CuffUse code ALYSSA20 to get 20% off your gorgeous cuffs to take your Apple Watch to the next level and support this podcast. Now you can track your workouts and look stylish. No more ugly, dirty rubber bands. I have the Honey in rose gold and the Mia in silver.Owned by a Pittsburgh-based mama. I’m obsessed. Thank you, Ultimate Cuff!Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Welcome to the Fall 2019 season! This season, we're focusing on healing, and we begin with trauma. That might seem like a heavy topic for starting a season, but just like the leaves, fall is a season to let go. We face the dark to go towards the light. And speaking of trauma, we have all experienced it. Trauma is defined by something feeling unexpected, unprepared, and felt out of your control. But despite the fact that many of us deal with trauma and live in chronic low level stress in our daily lives, we're often not taught how to process it in a healthy manner or we feel shame or guilt for needing time to heal. In today's episode, I'm joined by Reita Johnston to talk about Somatic Experiencing and looking to the body for cues to healing. Just like animals, we have built in systems to heal from traumatic experiences, we have just forgotten how. ---------Get your FREE Journaling Starter Package!- 5 OG Journal Deck prompt worksheets- Self Care Calendarthejournaldeck.com/starter-packageCall Me!! Leave me some love, questions, or comments by dialing 412-218-1229 to reach the Self Care Spotlight voicemail box. I can't wait to hear about your favorite moments!Shownotes:thejournaldeck.com/episode84 Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Have you ever felt like you were too much? Have you every felt scared to put the real you out there and be seen? Have you ever felt shameful about your self expression, your sensuality or worried about looking egotistical? Are you afraid of changing because of what others may think or say? This is wounded Feminine energy. She often lives underneath wounded Masculine energy. We all have both energies inside of us and yet we struggle to embrace our wholeness because we often feel fear, shame, and guilt around releasing our femininity and sensuality: i.e. being seen. Alyssa shares her personal journey into how we can move through this process. She also announces her new member-based intuitive movement workshops- FEMME PGH! --------------FEMME Invocation Mp3 + want the juicy scoop on FEMME PGH? Enter your email.alyssakuzins.com/femme Early bird launches the week of August 11th for 1 week only. I'm calling in 14 women to be SEEN. Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com

Bonjour! Summer is the season of vacations, and even if you love what you do, we all need space. Every now and again you need a vacation to step back into your center, have ZERO to-do lists (not even a self care agenda) and reset. I went to France with my husband on a delayed honeymoon/1 year anniversary from June 15-25, 2019, and I didn’t open my computer once in 2 weeks! It was lovely. In this episode, I share on how we almost didn't go (it’s a CRAZY story), my thoughts on self care while vacationing, social media anxiety, universal signs, and remembering that everything is figureoutable (thanks Marie Forleo). This trip was everything I needed, and it reminded me that sometimes we have to fight for our joy, but boy is it worth it! I'll wrap up the episode with trip highlights and try to answer the one question everyone keeps asking, which place did I like more? ------------------TRIP ITINERARY + OUR AIRBNBS + TRAVEL TIPS:thejournaldeck.com/episode82Want to meet me in Atlanta, GA?Free Journaling Benefits Talk- DETAILSJournaling + Feminine Energy Workshop- DETAILSLoved this episode? There are 750,000 podcasts, so I appreciate you listening to mine! Would you mind taking 5 minutes to write me a review on iTunes? Support the showConnect with Alyssa: Instagram http://www.instagram.com/alyssakuzins Advertising Inquires: email alyssakuzins@gmail.com