Hi there, Coco!

It's hard to believe the end of summer is approaching, and soon we'll send our kiddos back to school. But before we say goodbye to summer, I'd like to invite you to consider these three questions:

What's been working well? What hasn't been going so great? And what would you do differently?

Over the past three years, my hubby and I have been on quite the adventure. We've hopped in our van-size RV and explored various parts of the US, checking off National Parks from our bucket list. Our goal is to visit all 63 National Parks in our lifetime, and we're making some good progress – we're about one-third of the way there!

Last year's adventure up the west coast from California to Washington was an absolute blast—it remains one of my all-time favorite trips. I can honestly say that I didn't want to come back home!

This year, we had big plans to drive to Florida, travel up the east coast to Virginia, and then return home. On top of that, we had a college graduation in Mexico and a wedding in Asheville to attend. Let me tell you, this trip has given me a run for my money. But before I dive into the challenges, let me tell you what's gone well.

Asking ourselves "what's working "is like hitting the refresh button on our mindset, allowing us to remember our positive experiences. When I think about this summer, three things, in particular, stand out for me.

First, being surrounded by nature in these National Parks has been awe-inspiring. The beauty and diversity of our planet never fail to amaze me. My favorite stops so far have been White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, and Big Bend National Park.

Secondly, traveling with my hubby, who's been my life partner for 34 years, has been a joy. He's everything I'm not—funny, adaptable, fearless when facing challenges, and full of boundless energy. His positivity and humor have kept me going when I've felt worn out.

Lastly, we've had the opportunity to reunite with family members I haven't seen in ages. One of the highlights was celebrating my niece's graduation from medical school together. We spent hours reminiscing, laughing, and even shedding a few tears of joy.

Despite the allure of a cross-country trip, it hasn't all been smooth sailing, especially with my ADHD and sensory issues. Emotionally, it's been like a rollercoaster, and some moments felt quite unbearable. I had to step back and assess what was happening and what needed to change.

I set out on this trip with the best intentions—to stay curious, be flexible, and enjoy the ride, and for the most part, I've managed to do so. But when you combine constant transition(changing locations every 1-3 days), hot and humid weather, and lack of sleep, misery follows.

You know how some people get hangry? Well, I discovered that I get "heat-angry." My body can quickly "overheat." And guess what? We've been chasing a heatwave all across the US! Can you believe it? So, I've had many moments of being short-tempered, grumpy, and needing a literal "cooling-down" period.

Despite my excitement and genuine gratitude for all the places we visited, I struggled to stay emotionally regulated.

I couldn't help but think of our kiddos— facing the same situation. Even with their best intentions of having a good time and maintaining a positive attitude, their bodies and brain wiring can sometimes short-circuit their plans.

So, my hubby and I had a heart-to-heart about our future road trips. We both realized that, in true ADHD fashion, we tried to take on too much for just one summer. It ended up overwhelming us, and we definitely paid the price. Lesson learned! Next time, we've decided to take it SLOW, extend our stays at each location, cover shorter distances between stops, and choose cooler climates to make it a more enjoyable experience.

Now, it's your turn!

Has your summer been? What's been going great, and what's been a struggle? And most importantly, what's your plan to make your future adventures even more amazing for you and your family?

Can't wait to hear all about it!

Warmly,

Coco