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Mexico

Where to Stay in Tulum: Hotel Bardo

The Coolest Woman-Owned Boutique Hotels in Mexico City

Where to Stay in Cozumel, Mexico: Villas El Encanto

Rachel Off Duty: Aerial view of a woman laying near a pool at the beach

Where to Stay in Los Cabos: Krystal Grand Los Cabos

Where to Stay in Valle de Guadalupe: Lumi Hotel

Where to Stay in Valle de Guadalupe: The UvaUva Eco Cabins

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“So, tell me about yourself” but make it NOT about “So, tell me about yourself” but make it NOT about work 👉🏽

Challenge accepted ☑️

Something I’ve been trying to do more of lately is ask people about themselves without asking about titles, employers, or how they make their money (at least, not at the start). It’s been fascinating for me as someone currently on a journey of exploring my own layers of identity and purpose.

So... tell me about yourself? ☺️ (no swiping ahead 👀)

drop your finished mad libs in the comments below, send this to your work bestie, or throw your answers in a Story + tag me! #UncorporateMadLibs
Every week of my gap year, I answer this one promp Every week of my gap year, I answer this one prompt in my journal:

“This week’s reminders: ______”

It’s simple. So simple it’s silly. One sentence, every week. The first thing that comes to mind, or that I’ve heard that week and want to hold onto.

I was reading them back this morning and after repeating this exercise almost 52 times, I see the themes. And they might not all be true (yet) but how cool is it to see the reminders altogether and realize some of them actually stuck? Today, these words feel pretty damn true.

What would you write, if this was your journal prompt today?

Career Break | Journal Prompt | Gap Year | Sabbatical in Your 30s | Career Pivot
Today is my birthday. This is 33! 12 months ago, Today is my birthday. This is 33! 

12 months ago, on my 32nd birthday, I gave myself the gift of a full 365 days “off duty.”

This is the anniversary of the week I quit my job, or at least, turned in my notice, and the week it all finally felt “real” what I was about to attempt... a full year off from the 9-to-5, from expectations or requirements, to just explore myself and let curiosity lead the way. At 32 years old. 

I’ve learnt a lot in this chapter of my life, enough to reflect on more in another post, but for now, I’m just grateful to be here and to share my little corner of the internet, and my weird little life, with you :) Thank you for being here! 🤍

These photos are from a strange little beach in Australia called Shell Beach, where millions of little cockle shells form the coastline instead of sand. Just down the shore from where I’m laying here, the oldest living fossil on the planet, the stromatolite, can be seen. It’s made of calcified shells like these. Each year I feel this nagging fear of aging and the passing of time. And then I’m reminded how every little shell is a part of something much bigger, more ephemeral. In other words, there’s so damn much more to come. 

Happy Virgo season, crew!
The most transformative 4 months of my 32nd year o The most transformative 4 months of my 32nd year of life were spent right here.

Byron Bay is a divisive place, one that everyone knows and has an emotional reaction to. It’s creative, quirky, alternative, bohemian, beautiful. It’s also expensive, ‘overrated,’ and too weird. Despite that, it’s on everyone’s lists to visit.

We didn’t plan to live here for 1/3 of my career break, but we ended up getting lucky and finding sublets with two different local families who took us in. The place we lived for 3 of those 4 months felt like a true home away from home. 

Over time, I felt myself stop worrying (being on a career break is both liberating and terrifying 😅) and it was here that I truly felt like I “shed” my corporate identity for something new. Someone that could finally play and rest and try new things without needing to justify or quantify or productivity-maxx.

So here’s a mini travel guide and ode to one of my favorite places and what it gave me. If you visit, or if you come to live here for a little while, I hope these tips help give you what it gave me. Let me know what your ideal home away from home would feel like in the comments 🫶🏽 #OffDutyinByronBay #LivinginAustralia #ByronBay #CareerBreakDiaries

[career break, career break in your 30s, gap year, Australia, working holiday, working holiday visa, Australia road trip, Byron Bay, new South wales]
300 miles down, 9,700ish to go. This is part one. 300 miles down, 9,700ish to go. This is part one. 

If you missed the last video, Jacob and I are on a 3-month drive to complete Australia’s biggest road trip, aka Big Lap of Australia. Here’s how it all started and how it’s going on the first stretch! 

Part One: ~300 miles
Byron 
Noosa
Bundaberg 

Highlights: 
- the Noosa Coastal Trail
- snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef at Lady Elliot Island (day trip from Bundy!) 
- Bundaberg Rum (a Queensland staple) 
- camping at Splitters Farm
- the best strawberry ice cream at TinaBerries 

I never expected my career break abroad to turn into a giant cross-country road trip but life is full of surprises and the longer we lived here, the more curious we became. We want to see it all, and I want to bring you along for the ride, because this is the first time in our adult lives we’ve been able to travel without limited PTO (vacation days) or time constraints!!

What would you do with your time if you had 3 months ahead and nothing holding you back?

In part two we’re heading to the outback! 

#CareerBreakDiaries #LapofAustralia #CareerBreak #gapyear
SOLD!!! Selling our adventure car after a year dri SOLD!!! Selling our adventure car after a year driving around Australia 🚗 

He’s a Toyota RAV4 V6 and he’s completely kitted out for camping and overlanding. 

Swipe through for everything you need to know, and share this with your friends to help me find a new adventure for Gary 🫶🏽

As I write this, we’re almost at the end of our lap of this massive country and it’s been a journey I am still finding the words to express. I never expected to spend my career break camping by the beach or learning how to fill a jerrycan but quite honestly it’s been the experience of a lifetime. And this car definitely has many miles / kms left to go. 

📍 Melbourne area (or Sydney for the right buyer) 
☑️ $8,500 AUD OBO 
☑️ Must sell in September!

Message me with serious inquiries or to set up an inspection!!! 🙏🏽

If you’re not in the market for a new car, comment your favorite road trip memory and I’ll share mine below too! 

#workingholidayaustralia #lapofaustralia #australiaroadtrip #careerbreak
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