Lately, I’ve had that familiar itch — the one that whispers, “I just need to get out of town.” And I know I’m not alone. Friends, clients, baristas, even strangers in the grocery store line are saying the same thing.

Something about this time of year makes us all crave a little escape.

But here’s the thing: whenever that thought starts looping — “I need to get away” — I’ve learned to ask myself a different question:

Is it the scenery that needs to change… or something inside of me?

Don’t get me wrong — I love a good trip. Sometimes a few days away really does help reset the system. But more often than not, when that restless feeling shows up, it’s not about geography. It’s about something deeper.

Because no matter where we go — even if it’s the most beautiful beach with five-star towels and free cocktails — we still bring ourselves along for the ride. The overthinking comes too. The unresolved decisions. The doubts, the boredom, the burnout.

A change of scenery is tempting because it gives the illusion that something big has shifted. But the truth is: real change doesn’t need a boarding pass. It needs honesty. Stillness. And the willingness to ask yourself what’s no longer working.

Maybe the thing that needs to change is your routine. Or the relationship you’ve been carrying too quietly. Or the belief that you can’t make a different choice right where you are.

So if you’re feeling restless, before you pack your bags, try this: Step outside. Take a walk. Breathe. Ask yourself what you really want to escape — and what small shift could happen without a plane ticket.

And if you still want to take a trip? Go. But bring a lighter version of yourself — one that’s not running away, but showing up with eyes wide open.

Because sometimes, the most powerful journey is the one that happens right where you are.

XX,

MG