In case you haven’t noticed, it’s one of those times of year when New York City is overrun by tourists, many of which are Europeans who  take much of August for their ‘holiday’.  It’s expected that they have a minimum of four weeks off, which includes touring abroad when possible. Americans can take a hint from that mandated break, and the old world lifestyle of working to live instead of living to work.

Travel is an amazing vehicle for self-discovery and cross-cultural understanding, but you don’t have to have to rely on a Lonely Planet guide or go on a fact finding mission to Italy, India or Bali for a year to  get to know yourself and how to really live. If you took time out to reflect and rejuvenate on a more regular basis, things wouldn’t get to a breaking point that might to cause you to do something so drastic or exotic.

And you don’t have to break the bank either. Vacation simply means to ‘vacate’ from your everyday life – no matter what that means to recharge and get a different view. A simple change of scenery for even a day can do a world of good to give you fresh perspective of where you’re at – especially now before the new ‘school year’ begins and you focus on the next set of goals.

As we approach these dog days of summer, it’s a good time to check out, in order to check in with yourself whether you have a specific itinerary or simply take a mental vacation from your daily routine. Can’t quite get it together or find the perfect destination? Leave the comedy and calamity to Clark Griswold, and instead give me a buzz; I’ll be a tour guide for a smooth and easy getaway to your own personal version of Wally World!