Are You Suffering From Adulthood?

No comments

Are you suffering from adulthood?

One way to know for sure is by asking yourself when was the last time you felt amazing and how long that feeling last?

Are you happy with your answer?
If not, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, as we get further and further along in our life journey we get distracted by this and that…and now is the time to end all of that.

Life is not something you survive, or suffer through. Life is your time to thrive. Take in all that your amazing life has to offer.

Play Time is one of the Happitunities ~ The best investment of time in yourself, your connections and your creativity, or as we refer to them at Effortless Living, Me Time, We Time and Play Time. These are collectively referred to as “Happitunities.” Studies have proven the best investment of your time for your health, prosperity and happiness, is the time you spend enjoying Happitunities.

Adults aren’t supposed to play!
At some point we learned adults aren’t supposed to enjoy play time. As a result we make ourselves too busy and decide there are more important things to do. It turns out, there are few things more important to your well-being than play. A study led by Alan Krueger, a Princeton researcher, found we are happiest when we are at play.

The Key to Happiness
It’s time to tear down the walls we’ve built being the person we are told to be, so we can be the person we know deep inside we really are. In a social environment where only 7% of the population have achieved well-being in their lives, society has told us play time is a luxury we cannot afford. It’s time to flip the switch. Play time is a destination that is all about the journey –the actual experience makes us happier people. By allowing guilt free, purposeless Play Time into our lives we are better able to connect on a meaningful level with ourselves and others.

When is there time for play?

It’s always play time. Bring joy and enthusiasm to everything you do. I write this knowing full well how difficult it is, but it’s a must to make more of your everyday. If you find bringing joy and enthusiasm to your everyday, the schedule more Play Time.

It really is that simple. Focus on tasks each day that matter and make a real impact on your workload. When you need a break plan one. Don’t get caught up in busy-ness that fills your time, but doesn’t help your productivity.
What does Play Time do for us?

Play Time connects you with who you really are and the things you enjoy and fulfill you. This is where happiness comes from, that feeling of fulfillment. Researchers say the more we absorb ourselves in the joy of what we are doing the happier we are.

Play Time helps align us with our deepest needs and be in the present moment. Your ability to enjoy Play Time is directly linked to a positive mood and a happier life because it buffers the effects of stress on your immune system and amplifies your vitality.

Studies show Play Time in the office increases performance and sparks creativity.

Put It To Work: Look at your agenda and schedule Play Time, either on your own or with a partner or two. Remember make this purposeless and fun. Laying in bed while checking your emails is not going to do it. Act goofy, let the big belly laughs rip. Go down a slide, fly a kite, or catch a Frisbee, whatever you decide to do do enjoy it. This is your life and you are in control of the joy you experience.


Carmen M. Perez, is the founder of www.EffortlessLivingOnline.com, a lifestyle e-magazine for entrepreneurs.

We help entrepreneurs understand they do not have to sacrifice their health, happiness or lifestyle to succeed. by sharing strategies to help them reclaim their time, calm the chaos and transform the way they experience their world. Sign up for your FREE content packed e-book, “Let’s get on with it! How to Survive Life’s Thriving Lessons” and receive her weekly advice on bringing order to chaos, busting through stress, and making the most of your time and living with passion, purpose, and play, visit www.EffortlessLivingOnline.com.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Carmen PerezAre You Suffering From Adulthood?
read more

The Great American Road Trip-How We Survived

No comments

Who doesn’t remember piling in the family vehicle and setting off for a road trip?

Whether it be the mandatory visit to the relatives or the long-anticipated vacation, road trips were the way we got there. For me, road trips provide fond childhood and even adult memories of traversing across this great country. Pretty much every vacation and every move I have ever made has involved packing up the car and hitting the road.

My sister and I remember the days well. In our youth, there were no electronics to entertain us. We came up with our own forms of entertainment. And best of all, these were the days before seat belt requirements. Riding in the car was an adventure itself. Piling pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and other odds in ends into the car was like making your own little fort. We would busily claim our space amongst the luggage, our siblings, the cooler, and the family pet. Yes, the dog went everywhere with us and got top billing to boot. I considered myself the smart one and always selected the space behind my dad, so when he got angry at us goofing around and being too loud, I was out of reach of the hand that would come shooting back to grab one of us. Oh, the memories!

The early days of road trips were great! I have been from Vermont to Oregon and back. From Wisconsin to Texas and back. I have hit just about every state in the 48 at some point during a road trip. At 16, one of the first driving experiences for me was driving from Wisconsin to Vermont with my dad and sister. Those were still the days of radar detectors and CB radios. It was fun listening to the truck drivers, and our dad’s handle was “Woodchuck.” It makes me giggle to this day. It also brings back memories of the classic “Smokey and the Bandit” movies. Who doesn’t love a good road chase?

The trip was almost always as good as the destination. As we traveled the scenic American highway, we entertained ourselves with various classic card games such as Slug Bug, Finding the 50 States on License Plates, and the Alphabet Game. McDonalds even had a road trip box game back then with a version of road Bingo. One of our all-time favorite things was giving a signal to the truckers to honk their horn. And, when all else failed, we slept!

Our parent’s survival item was the cooler packed with drinks, snacks, and sandwiches. Our dad was not a big one for making too many stops. The one major rule of the road, when we stopped, everyone was required to use the bathroom whether they had to or not. As my sister and I reminisce, we realize we have instilled some of these things in our own road trips. You could call them road trip traditions. We both still pack food and drink in the car, the kids bring their pillows and favorite stuffed pals, we have our favorite spots to stop and dine, and when you stop for gas, everyone out for the bathroom. We love that despite the introduction of electronic entertainment, they still play some of our favorite road trip games. Neither of us ever think twice about jumping in the car. Hitting the road is a part of our DNA.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslThe Great American Road Trip-How We Survived
read more

Before You Depart-5 of our Best Travel Tips

No comments

We begin taking care of you from the moment you contact us! First, we schedule a complimentary planning session to discuss our client’s travel patterns, tastes, and needs. This first meeting can be done via phone or an in-person meeting can be arranged.

Once the client’s questions have been answered and they understand the value of hiring a travel professional, work begins on the vacation package itinerary. We will work on this until the client is satisfied. Once everything is set and booked, we continue to provide our client’s with pre-travel information as their trip approaches. Today, we share 5 great travel “before you depart” tips…

  • Make copies of your passports. We suggest you make 3 photo copies of your passports when traveling abroad in case of theft or loss. One to take with you, one to leave with your emergency contact and one to give to your travel professional. It will help expedite replacement should an incident occur. Typically, I will request a copy when planning your trip in order to ensure we have proper TSA information and have no issues when you arrive at the airport.
  • Mix and mingle items in your suitcases. When traveling as a couple or family, we suggest you put a bit of each person’s items in each others suitcases. This way if one bag gets lost during travel you will have something to wear when you arrive.
  • Put your swimsuit in your carry-on. Often when traveling to the Caribbean or going on a cruise, your room or cabin may not be ready upon arrival. Have that swim suit and or shorts ready in your carry-on for a quick change to enjoy the sun sooner.
  • Call your credit card or debit card issuer before you travel. To avoid having your car cut off while in your travel destination, speak with your bank or card company before you go. Alert them to your travel dates and destinations.
  • Call your mobile phone carrier. To make sure that you will have service in your travel destination be sure to contact your phone carrier provider before hand. Most smart phones do work abroad, but you may want to opt for a global data plan as Wi-Fi may be spotty. Please remember, you are on vacation and unless your phone is your camera, I recommend you put it in your room safe and RELAX!

Be ready for your next vacation, call a travel professional!


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslBefore You Depart-5 of our Best Travel Tips
read more

Must-Have Item for the Islands

No comments

What is the must-have item for the islands?

The pareo is the Tahitian word for a wrap-around skirt. In other parts of the world, it is known as a coverup, sarong, or wraparound. It refers to women’s skirts as the men wore an item known as a loincloth or maro. Today, a pareo is best known as an item you wrap around your body.

Seen as a symbol of the island, the pareo is worn by men, women, and children. It’s beautiful coloring and cool comfort makes it a staple piece of clothing among island inhabitants. One’s imagination only limits its versatility in wear. During a recent visit to Moorea, we were fortunate enough to run across one of the locals at the bar at the Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa. He took the time to demonstrate just some of the many ways to wear a pareo. Click on the image below of my dear travel colleague and friend Sarah Bush of Bali Ha’i Dreams to see a video of our lesson.

More than being the most versatile piece of cloth you have ever worn, the pareo is a work of art. While many pareos are mass-manufactured now, there are still artists in the islands’ hills that hand paint the beautiful and colorful designs. You can actually visit the artists in their home/workshop during a 4-wheel drive tour and select your very own one of kind hand painted pareo.

Are you ready to adorn the islands? Tie on a pareo, put a tiaré flower behind your ear, rub on some monoi oil, add a puka shell anklet, and voila!


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslMust-Have Item for the Islands
read more