When Compared to Mars – Antarctica is Nothing!

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holy smokes – we leave tomorrow for argentina (hello all the meat and all the malbec) and i am so very excited! after we spend a few days there, we head to mother-effing-antarctica! thanks colorado for sending us some snow to prepare us slightly more for what’s to come.

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i am currently experiencing bouts of my prescribed anxiety but honestly i am doing way better than i expected. turns out you really can change your mindset and brain to function differently – thank goodness.

i think part of this change is because of the steps i have taken to deal with anxiety but also because we saw “the martian” yesterday. this put some things into perspective when i was feeling nervous about our cruise to antarctica.

so i have to share a bathroom with our neighbors on the boat…at least i’m not stranded on mars!

so i may not like the food on the ship…at least i’m not stranded on mars (and have to grow food with poop)!

so maybe i forgot a few things at home…at least i’m not stranded on mars and it would take years to reach me!

so i may be on a small boat that is experiencing the roughest water in the world for a few days…at least i’m not being thrown around in outer space!

i get that it’s a movie but for some reason it really put things into perspective. we took my dad to see it and he was an aerospace engineer for 33 years so it was fun to hear his views on what could potentially happen and what was way off base. my dad has been to multiple launches and even got to say “all systems go, prepare to launch” for his program! that’s the final step before someone flips the switch (it’s not a button) to launch the rocket or shuttle. badass.

after feeling a confidence boost from the movie and drinking some gin & ginger, we spent last night doing our final packing (using my travel checklist). i’m proud to say we narrowed it down to two carry-ons, one checked bag, my backpack and wearing our ginormous coats on the plane!

there was a moment where i didn’t think it would be possible but wait until i reveal some of what we packed in those suitcases which shall make an appearance on antarctica!

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my husband and i go about packing very differently, partly because he has zero travel anxiety and i have quite a bit. i need to lay everything out in piles to be sure i have enough of each item and then run through at least 12 scenarios regarding which sweater to bring. he says “i’ve got my passport and computer, everything else can be replaced.” oh what a joyous feeling that must be for him. i’ll be over in the corner trying to figure out which pairs of underwear and socks will keep me the warmest (and are sink-laundry-friendly since there is no laundry on the boat)!

i have a few posts planned while we are traveling but when we are on antarctica, we will have zero wifi and slow internet for like $17 a minute. we are spending all that money on our live event from there (The Map to Dreaming BIG). basically i’m letting you know to expect a few less posts while we are experiencing a once in a lifetime adventure. after we return, you best believe i’ll be blowing up with content, stories and pictures of penguins!

while i spend the next few hours ensuring everything is packed, our business and clients are taken care of and then figuring out how to take better photos in blinding white snow, head over to A Prioritized Marriage, where i share what it’s like to be married to a motivational speaker!

however your day is going…at least you aren’t stranded on mars!

14 Comments

  1. Charlene

    November 18, 2015 at 10:20 am

    I am a lot like you in packing and it sounds like my husband is a lot like yours. I get really anxious about traveling too but since being married to my husband, I’ve mellowed out a lot. I don’t think he’s ever started packing more than 30 minutes before we have to leave.
    Charlene recently posted…Reader Survey Results

    • chelsea

      November 19, 2015 at 6:33 pm

      30 minutes?! wow, that is cutting it close but glad he eventually gets it done i suppose ha!

  2. Sarah Elizabeth || SEDiva Abroad

    November 18, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Good for you, girl. I’m actually super impressed, because I’m suffering from something that sounds like it might be similar right now. It’s so wonderful to hear that you’re working through it, and I hope it inspires me to book that flight home for Christmas that I’m extremely nervous about right now xx Enjoy the trip! I can’t wait to hear about it xx

    • chelsea

      November 19, 2015 at 6:32 pm

      thanks sarah! i’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with something similar but we got this 🙂 book that flight!!!!!

  3. Amberly

    November 18, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    HAhaha, yes, that definitely puts it into perspective!!! That movie was intense and further solidified the fact that i would never consider becoming an astronaut or ever entertain the idea to fly in space. Nope, I’m ok, I’ll stay here on earth.
    Amberly recently posted…The Perks of Being Married to a Motivational Speaker

    • chelsea

      November 19, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      for the reallllll! no desire to be an astronaut either, i’ll stay with you on the ground amberly!

  4. Elyse

    November 18, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Ha! That definitely puts things into perspective. I may try and remember that when I’m freaking out about travelling.

    I can’t wait to hear and see all about your trip!
    Elyse recently posted…What I’m Reading This Winter

    • chelsea

      November 19, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      i cannot tell you how many times i have already said “at least i’m not stranded on Mars” still today 🙂

  5. Audrey

    November 19, 2015 at 5:42 am

    Awww, I’ll miss your frequent posts but I hope you have SO MUCH FUN! I feel like my packing style is a combination of you and Mr. Wifestyle- I layout a million outfits and put way too much thought into scenarios… but in the end I say, “Ok, I have my phone, passport, and ID. Really, that’s all I need.” Have a wonderful time!!!
    Audrey recently posted…The Golden Vlog

    • chelsea

      November 19, 2015 at 6:30 pm

      well i somehow cranked a few more out so we shall see 🙂 i am SO loving you calling ravery “mr. wifestyle” like, a lot. glad in the end you have what matters for your packing!

  6. Vivien

    November 19, 2015 at 5:36 pm

    Can’t wait to hear all about your trip! Have a great time!
    Vivien recently posted…Why I Almost Vowed to Never Enter a Tall Tales Contest

    • chelsea

      November 19, 2015 at 6:29 pm

      thanks vivien!! it’s an adventure!

  7. Nina @ Hugs and Lattes

    November 19, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    OMG OMG OMG You’re going to Antarctica! Ya know, the little girl in “Where’d Ya Go Bernadette” went to Antarctica too. I never even knew people could go there until that book. You are going to the 7th continent. How freaking cool is that. Literally.
    Nina @ Hugs and Lattes recently posted…How Many is too Many #Hashtags?

    • chelsea

      November 23, 2015 at 11:41 am

      haha lovely pun nina! i didn’t really know people could go there either until we started investigating! it’s still sort of blowing my mind!