Hello again everyone!

As many of you know, I am newly back from a 3-week vacation to France and Italy. I spent a week in Paris and the Loire Valley with my family, and then did a 2-week road trip in Italy with a friend. It was an incredible vacation and I feel very privileged to have been able to do it. For this newsletter I would like to share some of my reflections from my travels.

One thing I loved about my overall trip was seeing these places as an adult. The last time I was in Europe, I was 18 years old. Being there again now, I had a greater sense of perspective and appreciation. In both France and Italy, I was constantly surrounded by history. In France there is the Eiffel tower, Picasso and Van Gogh’s neighborhood, Versailles, and countless castles left over from a different time. In Italy huge ornate Gothic churches, incredible Venice, and Rome with its pillars and ancient artifacts at every turn. This is just to name a few of course. The layers of history stare at you from every view point. You are surrounded by leftovers of ancient times integrated and built upon into modern life. Stories are everywhere around you. Architecture styles reflect the different empires that moved through an area and left a mark. It’s not something we see living in this country everyday and yet it is quite ubiquitous in most of the places I visited.

Paris was buzzing with its preparations for hosting this summer’s Olympics as well as the Tour de France. It is going to be a busy summer for them for sure. I am glad I went when I did and not any later in the spring! I was fortunate to have spent time with family living in Paris who showed us around and gave us tours of many of the most historical and happening neighborhoods. They also loaned me a jacket and umbrella which was much needed due it being quite chilly and rainy. We spent 1 day taking the kids in my family to an amusement park in Paris called Asterix. I was fascinated by the mellow traditional instrumental Irish music playing out of all the speakers around the park. This created a calm quiet feel. There was a surprising lack of over stimulation. It was actually a pleasant relaxing day. Quite in contrast to my past experiences at amusement parks.

Yes, of course, in France I ate all the baguettes and chocolate croissants my appetite could handle. They know how to bake in France! They also are masters of good taste in everything. Everything in France was both beautiful and delicious.

I would say that while Paris is chic and buttoned up, I would call Italy gritty elegant. Italian fashion, food and architecture are truly awe inspiring.

I started each day by searching out a nice cafe to get a coffee and a small pastry. I hardly saw any coffee to go. In fact, I once tried to order tea to-go and the cafe had no to-go cups at all! Their version of to-go is drinking a coffee while standing at the cafe counter. I was many times mistaken in thinking I was standing in a line to a register only to realize I only needed to step closer to the counter to place my order and a coffee would be served to me where I stood. I got used to drinking coffee standing at the cafe counter and came to really enjoy it. It’s a lovely social morning activity.

I see so many patients suffering from anxiety, feeling beyond overwhelmed. We burn ourselves out in this country and then push through the consequences. Not exactly a recipe for good health. I am definitely guilty of this myself as well. In both France and Italy many shops would close during the afternoon for Siesta. They seemed to run by a different set of priorities then keeping the most hours for the most profit. They operate at a different pace that incorporates rest and relaxation. Perhaps living near all that ancient history helps keep things in perspective.

Throughout my travels, I was hugely aware of the impactful importance of created space. Having stayed at many different accommodations, eaten at many restaurants, and generally been hosted by 2 different countries, I got to experience many variations of this. I am grateful for all the beds that were made for me, plates that were garnished and sauced just so, rooms decorated lovingly. This was a hugely important piece of my travels.

It has been my privilege creating and maintaining the clinic space for all these years and I plan to continue for many years to come. I am incredibly grateful for my amazing clinic team who tended the clinic and kept things seamlessly well-tuned while I was away. I was able to truly step away for a few weeks witnessing how much the clinic is in good hands. Thank you, Leah, Tara, and Jennifer, for holding down the fort!

I am also very happy to be home. I missed my kitty, my home, and all of you! For a while now, I have been working towards simplifying my life and prioritizing leisure, relaxation and joy. After my travels, I am newly inspired and convinced that this is one of the major keys to health and happiness.

I wish you all a joyful, relaxing, and healthy end of spring!

With love,
Aimee

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