Sometimes distance is needed to gain perspective on where your life is going. A new place means fresh eyes to see situations clearly.
I needed to get away.
I’m currently at a crossroads in my life. I have a lot of decisions to make and I don’t want to make the same mistakes that I made in 2014. I had an amazing year but It wasn’t meaningful and I didn’t grow as much as I hoped.
I’m lucky to live in the North West of England, close to many beautiful areas such as North Wales, the Lakes and the peak district. Betws Y Coed in Northern Wales has a special place in my heart because I went camping there frequently as a child. It’s a place where my imagination went wild exploring nature and dreaming of fairies hidden in the glens.
It was the perfect place to reflect on my life to date and plan who I want to be in the future.
Buddha once said that the answers to everything lie within us. I decided to spend a weekend walking in the daytime and reading my travel diaries and a motivational book in the evening. A weekend with no distractions.
The drive to Betws Y Coed is one of my favorites. It’s just 20mins to the Welsh border and I love seeing the language change and the scenery get greener and greener. The drive is littered with beautiful views of castle, rolling hills, churches and the tempestuous Irish Sea.
I drove through the quaint town of Betws Y Coed, full of tourists despite being early January, and checked into my bed and breakfast.
I was soon out exploring my favorite nooks and crannies in the town, I had a cup of tea in a converted train carriage and visited St Michael’s church that was built in the 14th century! Swallow falls is a waterfall just out of town, I drove to have a look at it and felt invigorated stood in the icy splashes of the waterfall, (After I paid £1.50 for the privileged…).
The woods were soon calling my name so I walked for a few hours next to the babbling river. I was alone for most of the walk and it gave me time to assimilate all of my thoughts without any outside distractions and think about who I am and what I want out of life.
The sun began to set so I made my way back to the B&B for some warming cups of tea and pre-dinner reading. I headed to my favorite pub in Betws Y Coed for dinner, Y Stableau. I ordered the ‘Welsh burger’, local beef with Welsh rarebit topping and had a few well earned pints. All around me locals were speaking Welsh, it felt quite exotic and certainly put me in a different frame of mind.
After a brisk walk back it was time to get down to business. I managed to read half of my travel journals and wrote down any tips that I gained from travels or realised myself in a new journal. It’s surprising how much I forgot about and it gave me a renewed drive to live a purposeful, and true life.
The next day I was treated to a massive 4 course breakfast. I cheated and ended u just having three, fruit compote to start followed by a full Welsh breakfast and a hot toasted scone. I had another wander in the village and decided to visit a local castle. Bodelwyddan castle on my way home.
Exploring new things, revisiting old memories and learning new skills recharged me and made me eager to make 2015 my best year yet. I just need to remember to be true to myself and live the life I want, not the life others want of me.
Have you ever visited Wales? If so what do you think? Have you ever took a trip to get away from it all and think about where you are headed in life?
As always I’d love to hear your comments!
I have never been to Wales, but now I am curious what a full Welsh breakfast is! I think that living a life that doesn’t conform to the norms of society, and what everyone else around you is doing can really rattle people! It can be hard to stay true to what you want when the masses want you to do what they are doing! Good luck staying true to yourself, sounds like this mini getaway was perfect!
I was curious too! It’s basically a full English with potato cakes! Very true, I find there’s a lot of opposition to my choices in life. Maybe they are jealous they won’t live their passions or maybe they are genuinely concerned and think that their way is better. We all have to find our own path in life, whatever path that is!
This is a very insightful post. Much like you, I’ve had these moments before but more when I was still stuck in my job, clueless about how I can start a life of travel. It’s always a good idea indeed to get away from it all; apart from that, meeting new people really helped me in gaining new perspectives! (Right now, I’m as free as a bird and living my dreams!) Pretty sure you will rock 2015!!!
On a side note: I’ve never been to Wales–I’m really eyeing the UK soon! I am in Belgium now so it should be possible soon 😀
Aileen recently posted…15 Best Romantic Getaways of Travel Bloggers
I think many people think the life of a traveller is easy, It’s not! It’s actually really hard! With me there was a lot of conflicting thoughts but I realised that I need to just go for it and persue my passion, we only live once!
Wales is lovely, North Wales is very rural!
Great Journey Stephanie!
I have never been to Wales, but after your pictures and post I definitely have to go there… And Congrats for your journey, it’s so nice to have a special time to think about the future, about our dreams and hopes… Wish you an amazing 2015!
Happy Travels,
Nat
Natalie Deduck recently posted…Summer in Sydney – What to do?
Thanks a lot Nat! Wales is beautiful, I need to visit South Wales at sometime too! Happy travels to you too!
Oh, I love that first picture! I have never even been to Europe, but Wales sounds amazing 🙂
Valerie recently posted…2 Weeks in Asia Itinerary
I live in the North West of England and I’m very lucky that North Wales is literally 20 minutes away! It feels so different and I love the fresh air, beautiful countryside and hearing Welsh being spoken. Feels exotic!
Never been to Wales but planning to visit when I’m in the United Kingdom. Loved the quote that you’re going “after the life you want”. Can’t wait to read all about it!
Andrea recently posted…7 Free Things to Do in Toronto
I’m writing a blog poast about my plans for my new life as we speak 🙂
Good luck in 2015. I understand being at a crossroads – we’ve had some not so good things happen in our life lately and it’s just made me streamline my needs and desires, which is what I’ve really needed to do for a while.
I’ve never visited Wales, but I’ve always wanted to!
Bailey K. recently posted…Cape Perpetua – Oregon Coast
Good luck to you too Bailey! The older I get the more I realise that life is so short, if I do what I love it won’t be a life that’s wasted 🙂
I haven’t made it to Wales yet but it’s on my list!
Dana recently posted…How Much Does It Cost to Live in France? January 2015 Expenses
I’ve only been to North Wales but it’s beautiful!
Stephanie, great pictures of Wales and very appropriately conveyed your feelings. I’ve never been to Wales but have always wanted to, maybe in 2016.
I’ve never taken a trip to reflect on my life but I think it’s the best way to plan the life you want!
Brenda recently posted…Our Daily Bread
Thanks a lot Brenda, Wales was the perfect place to get away from it all for a weekend and reflect on my future.
Some of the absolute best travel experiences are for times of reflection. It looks like you were in the perfect place to do so – such lovely scenery and such great food too!
What a beautiful place to get away to! Loved this. We are in North America this week and dealing with snow, but we would like to be transported where you were!
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