Hi! Yes, it’s me: Paul from Beyond Utah. After 18 months, but who’s counting? *chuckles nervously*

It’s been a rough couple years for me. Along with the rest of planet, I’m juggling the covid19 pandemic as best I can, not knowing any of the definitives. How much longer will this last? Will there be more variants? How many shots of the vaccine will we need? How will this continue to affect my job? Etc.

Despite the many distractions, I was often reminded of my work here on the blog. Friends and family would ask me, what’s next for Beyond Utah? Why haven’t you written anything?

Well, I got divorced for starters. That drained me emotionally. In May 2020, I moved back home to Utah from Florida. I camped out at my parents’ home for the summer; living off unemployment (airline industry) and their kindness. I had nothing to give to Beyond Utah. I had nothing I wanted to share. My social media profiles became private, and tightened my circle of friends. I began therapy, which has been instrumental in who I am today as I type this. I can say with confidence that I am happier and healthier than I was in 2019-2020!

Two books really opened my eyes to how my emotions work, and how to master them! The first is Attached, by Dr. Amir Levine; and the second one is Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself, by Melody Beattie. I highly recommend them both!

Next, I’ll be reading The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. Can we get a hoorah for therapy and its immeasurable benefits!? HOORAH!

• 

• 

• 

The 411: What’s new in the life of Paul?

For the next few years I see myself continuing to live and work in Salt Lake City, Utah. With my family’s encouragement, I took the plunge into HOME OWNERSHIP and bought a town house! It’s cute, just the right size, and I like the area I live in. While being a home owner is at times a headache, I know it has its benefits!

In addition to applying myself financially and emotionally, I’ve been applying myself physically! Starting in Oct. 2020, I chose to make physical exercise and daily nutrition a more consistent part of my lifestyle. While I’m still working towards my body “goal,” I’ve maintained a realistic view of what that looks like for me with my body type and lifestyle. Perhaps the most rewarding part is the overwhelming support I’ve received from friends who are proud of me for investing in ME, for ME, and without caving to previous cycles of distractions (read: dating), like I have in the past. For those that follow me on Instagram, I have some progress pics posted. 🙂

• 

• 

• 

Travel Updates

This wouldn’t be a travel blog if I didn’t share my travel updates! * excited squeal*

In 2020, I visited the US states of Alaska, Alabama, and New Jersey each for the first time! Internationally, I explored Mexico City (including the Pyramids of Teotihuacán) and San José del Cabo!

More destinations opened up in 2021, resulting in a landslide of trips for me! I paddle boarded off the coast in Maui, rode a vaporetto in Venice, celebrated my birthday in Puerto Vallarta, drank Guinness in Dublin, took a Blues & BBQ trip to Memphis with my aunts, danced in Bogota at the largest club in South America, hiked for a view of a volcano in an ancient colonial town in Guatemala, and cried happy tears during my little brother’s wedding in Southern California. If that wasn’t enough, I revisited Paris (twice), Mexico City, Anchorage (Alaska), Orlando (Disney World), and Honolulu.

I kicked off 2022 with a New Year’s Eve trip to Amsterdam! My friend Cedric took a train for several hours to meet me and we caught up after 3 years apart. I wrote about my first time to Amsterdam here!

OH. ALSO, this last year I learned SPANISH! And I’ve been certified through work to speak/translate onboard my flights! It’s no secret that I love traveling to Mexico and that’s translated (LOL) to countless flights back and forth! As for my French, the Paris flights are rumored to be returning to Utah this spring/summer, so I’m hoping to fly a mix of Europe and Mexico during the upcoming summer months.

• 

• 

• 

Looking Forward: Goals for Beyond Utah

For perspective, Beyond Utah received over 4,300 views in the last 18 months despite me not having written anything since July 2020!!! I’m shocked and thrilled at the power of SEO and quality content. I had two months in 2021 with views that matched months in 2019 when I was posting from Bali. This has been a huge validation to me, knowing that Beyond Utah has a place in the travel blog world! I have quite the list of articles in my draft pile… so those may be making their debut here soon!

I’m also considering unlocking my social media accounts and investing more in self-development opportunities. If anyone has any suggestions for blog posts or things you wish I covered, please reach out to me!

Thank you all for still believing in me, especially during the months when I didn’t. * hugs *

• 

• 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, all of which are genuine recommendations. I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, through your purchase.