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When I got my cancer diagnosis, I had to cancel 3 planned vacations. A 1-night staycation in nearby Santa Cruz gave me the reset I needed.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

The winter months were a blur of holiday activities and family gatherings. It felt like I was running on a treadmill from Thanksgiving into the new year, without the opportunity to get off.

As the unofficial “bringer of cheer” in my family, I feel a heavy burden to make sure we have enough fun over the holidays and work hard to create all the memories. Cookies must be baked, and decorations must be put up. And then they need to come down and get put away as I ready the family for the new year and the months ahead.

On top of that, I’m doing weekly chemo for breast cancer, which didn’t let up throughout the holiday madness. Life doesn’t stop for cancer. Eventually, I learned I needed to stop and do something for myself, though.

My diagnosis meant a change of plans

When I got my cancer diagnosis, I had to cancel planned trips to St. Maarten, Boston, and Dollywood. Not having those to look forward to was hard for me. As a travel writer, I love getting out of my regular routine for a few days to snorkel with sea turtles and dine on new cuisines.

With only my weekly chemo sessions on the calendar, I was feeling down. I knew that limiting my exposure to germs was important, but I missed my time spent enjoying Guinness in Ireland and kayaking near glaciers in Alaska. I knew I had to go somewhere, even if it was nearby.

I booked a one-night staycation near home

My solution: I booked myself a night away at West Cliff Inn, a boutique hotel by the beach in Santa Cruz that’s just a 30-minute drive from my home. I knew this wouldn’t be the same as a week in the Caribbean, but it was the perfect combination of time by myself and relaxation.


The author poses with a glass of wine while outside in Santa Cruz.

The author said she enjoyed having time and space to herself while on this solo trip.

Courtesy of Kate Loweth.



When I checked in, I found that my room was extra spacious and could have accommodated a friend or two. Did I think maybe I should have brought someone with me? Yes. But that thought vanished as soon as I set out to explore the area on my own

Simple moments helped me reset

I took a long walk on the beach and hiked along the cliffs, watching surfers just offshore. I enjoyed an umbrella drink and coconut shrimp at a tiki restaurant on the water, where I sat in the rotating bar area. A friend texted me at the perfect time with some gossip, and it felt like we were enjoying the vibrant sunset together.


A picturesque shot of the beach in Santa Cruz at sunset.

The writer said she enjoyed a long walk on the beach during her stay in Santa Cruz.

Courtesy of Kate Loweth.



Before it got too dark, I headed back to the hotel and enjoyed a salt soak in my massive tub before cozing up in my king-size bed at an early hour to enjoy the latest episode of “Below Deck.”

The next day, I visited a nearby spa and enjoyed a massage and a dip in a private hot tub before heading back home. Few things are perfect, but these 36 hours came pretty close.

I learned I don’t need a big trip to feel refreshed

This trip wasn’t about avoiding my family. It was about giving myself something to look forward to and acknowledging the difficult time I am going through.

I got home and felt ready to tackle what comes next, and I’m going to keep that in mind as I continue to move forward.




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I hosted a $30 vision workshop to reset my life and career. Here’s how I did it in 3 steps.

by with No Comment Xpandfy


Seng Kui Lim / Getty Images

The Year of the Fire Horse

A dozen or so friends clamoured around my fireplace’s mantel to grab their Dollar Store-bought journals and select a fancy gel pen. A ChatGPT-designed workshop on creating a 2026 vision for one’s life was about to begin, and two of my friends were fighting over who would get the last brown leather-bound journal.

It was a little before Lunar New Year, a holiday rooted in honoring the past while setting intentions for the future. And this year, instead of enjoying fireworks and celebrations, I hosted something much quieter. I invited my circle into my home to answer several journal prompts around career, love, fitness, and finances.

For me, January 1 comes with too much pressure; you may remember me writing about my intentionally slow start to the New Year. Lunar New Year, however, gifted me a second chance at intention. And what resulted around my dining room table was the perfect anecdote to help me game-plan my goals. By the end of the party, we walked away with clarity and focus, and identified the gaps standing in our way.

If you want to recreate this moment, here are three tips to create an atmosphere designed for reflection.

  1. First things first, here was my prompt into ChatGPT: What are some good prompts for self-reflection? I want to create a vision workshop that sets goals on faith, finances, work, love, family, and life. Can you create the interactive workshop?
  1. Then, we laid ground rules: Yes, I encouraged my friends to share the goals they had scribbled down, but I also encouraged them to keep some answers close to the vest, as some goals thrive in incubation.
  2. Lastly, I prioritized making my friends feel comfortable. There were candles lit everywhere, a basket of cheap yet cozy socks so they could kick their shoes off and relax, and don’t forget the fancy gel pens to make the journaling experience feel whimsical.

I still don’t know what 2026 will bring, but instead of creating rushed, vague resolutions, at least I had a moment to be reminded that life moves in cycles, and ambition requires vision.




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