You know what’s even better than going on vacation? Anticipating a vacation. There are studies showing this—a University of Surrey study found that people are at their happiest when they have a trip planned. I’ve been feeling this benefit in a major way over the past few months, leading up to the California trip we are about to take. It’s our first family trip since Feb 2020, and it’ll be the first time my kids are seeing my parents for nearly two years.  

Suffice it to say, EVERYONE IS EXCITED. I feel that buzz of anticipation every time I email friends to confirm plans, or invite them to my first in-person book party on Aug 29!! (I would love to see you there! Details below.) 

I’m also anticipating an inevitable post-trip letdown. 

But in my Thank You Year, I learned that there’s a way to combat that ennui and extend travel’s buzzy good vibes once you’re back home—write a batch of gratitude notes. (I go into this at length in the travel chapter of my book)

Over the past few weeks, I started writing a list of people who are going out of their way to make us feel at home in my hometown: my folks; the high school friend who’s lending us her beach club membership; the college friend renting us her beach house at a discount; the friends helping me pull off a birthday party for my youngest son. 

Once we are back in Brooklyn, I will sit at a café and write these wonderful people some notes, not (only) because it’s a nice thing to do, but because it feels really good to bask in positive, grateful thoughts. 

There’s no need to write these (or any) gratitude notes straight away. They are unexpected, so you can write and send them whenever you have a little time and/or feel like you could use a little gratitude boost.

My main tip on writing a travel-related gratitude note: Be as specific as possible. Here’s a note I wrote to an acquaintance-turned-friend whom I met up with in Japan:

Dear Yukari,

I was just thinking of our afternoon in Tokyo, and how generous you were to

1) send me all of your Tokyo tips

2) give me a tour of the depachika

3) eat noodles with me.

Meeting you was a highlight of my trip—thank you so much for your generosity.

I’d love to know where you are traveling, and who is going out of their way for you.

California folks: Come to my book party!

5:30PM Sunday 8/29

{pages} bookstore in Manhattan Beach

Signing/reading/party in the outdoor courtyard

It's a ticketed event: $22 (the price of the book)

There will be wine, seltzer, empanadas, cookies

Kids welcome! (Mine will be there.)