And summer begins
A north to south road trip, hitting 1K readers, and requesting questions for my advice column
Fairly short letter today as I’m coming off a mega road trip over the Memorial Day holiday week and weekend.
My parents, Mr. Bean, and I all made it in one piece after driving from North Carolina to south Florida and back.
I don’t know when I came up with this wacky idea, but it seemed to be a great way to see the eastern side of the Florida peninsula, and way less stressful than shuttling everyone via air travel.
Today’s short newsletter: A brief road trip recap, air travel mishaps, and making memories while you still can. Plus, Zeitgeist-y!
I preferred driving because the last time Bean and I flew together in February, he had an unfortunate butt gland incident (dog owners know, service animal or not) and of course it had to happen while we were flying in business class.
Like a parent who springs into action at any soupçon of a diaper soiling, I dealt with it at lightning speed, with the help of hand sani spray, and smothering the offending area with my jacket.
The gentleman sitting next to me was a dog person and didn’t flinch. King.
I’m still sort of mortified and traumatized by this event, so driving, with its relaxed feels and flexibility, versus managing everyone across dirty and crowded airports and planes, was very appealing to me.
I drove the entire time.
And you know what, it wasn’t that bad!
With a few strategic stops for gas, stretching, food, and scenery, it didn’t wreak havoc on my nervous system or body.
Travel with your parents
If you can, I’d highly recommend traveling with your parents.
Emphasis on “if you can” because I know many of you physically or mentally can’t.
Perhaps one or both or several parental figures aren’t around, or unable to for other reasons, or you don’t have a relationship with them.
But if you can, then try it.
I’m Shindy. I sold my financial content company and now I write this weekly culture, money, and lifestyle Substack. I’m a journalist and bestselling author featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Bankrate, Cheddar TV, and HuffPost. If you haven’t yet, and would like to join more than 7,200 people on the internet who I call my “shin-siders” then tap this button right hee-ya:
Yes, your elderly parents may annoy you when they ask, “are you tired,” every half hour in the car, or “so do you talk about your future together,” the minute the guy you’re seeing gets dropped off at the airport, but overall, the quality time is well spent.
And I’m incredibly grateful that in large part, my now 78- and 80-year-old parents are pretty chill, mobile, and easy to travel with.
I express gratitude for this every day.
I read/saw Sahil Bloom’s comments about living far away from his parents and I, too, was keenly aware of the fact that if I didn’t make drastic lifestyle and professional choices, then I could possibly count on both hands the remaining number of times I would see them in-person.
I’m writing a full download where I highlight our entire itinerary: historic and scenic stops, cities, restaurants, and hotel stays.
In the meantime, a few reminders.
Advice column open and taking your questions
My advice column is open and taking questions.
Ask me for help with love or relationship quandaries, business or work stuff, very specific random questions about traveling or planning, or even about complex money scenarios.
Culture, money, lifestyle, I want to hear from you and it takes less than a minute to ask.
You can remain anonymous.
Here’s the link and I’ll round up and answer them for my first advice column in a future letter:
Also, upcoming letters:
Update to my existing Miami City Guide
On reaching 1,000 Substack subscribers. Crying 😭
How did you spend your Memorial Day Holiday? I’d love to know!
Even if all you did was eat Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on the couch.
I, too, ate Cheetos, but in the car.
📺 I’m watching:
Ladies First, Netflix
A brainless, fun “roles-reversed” yarn which is a remake of the French film I am not an easy man (Je suis pas un homme facile). It stars Sacha Baron Cohen, looking more horsefaced than ever, and Rosamund Pike, in a role where her voice does not, in fact, grate on me. Cohen’s chauvinist character grows up when he experiences all the sh*tty ways women survive in a patriarchal society.
The Four Seasons, Netflix
Very adult. Very funny. I’m starting Season 2 and this might have just saved me from yet another month of “do I or don’t I cancel Netflix.”
📚 I’m reading:
Famesick, Lena Dunham
I’m 7 chapters in, through a combo of listening and reading the physical book. (I admit that Spotify Premium has turned into some of the best $15 I spend monthly because it includes 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening.) I’m doing a full letter of my thoughts on this but a first one is: “She is a nepo-baby.” Who knew?!
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Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok
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