Thanks for modeling having the courage to step away when you're not feeling it. I think a lot of us feel the same way about the world right now. Best wishes to your daughter with her recovery, and we will be here when you get back.
Focusing on your family, health and sanity first will never be the wrong choice. Breaks are needed to refresh and gain new perspective. I wish you a wonderful restoration journey.
The honest day’s work, & play, is to see it all, or as much as capable of seeing at that point in process, & then reconcile debits, not just credits, all the way down to the net.
Doing that good & honest/accurate accounting is often characterized as misanthropic by the embezzlers who go by “optimists.”
If it’s a Little Giddings moment you’re having, that’s progress; congrats!
“We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.”
Velvet poet-gloves over the work-hardened hands of reality.
Rest up and take care of yourself and your family! The world will still be there in a couple of months (assuming no one starts a nuclear war, of course).
Bravo for diagnosing your own ennui and stepping away. As a reader I appreciate your enthusiasm and embrace of the places you visit and the questions you ask yourself and by extension us. I read your work because I find the world a big beautiful place and I want to maintain hope that people are good, creative and build meaningful lives of all kinds in all places. I will be honest since the last posts of your travels in the US the tone has felt different and it’s been getting harder for me to read. So while I’m not looking for Pollyanna I do really appreciate your self reflection and ability to do what you need to care for yourself and your family and determine when being a traveler and travel writer again makes sense.
Wishing you all the best in this time and your daughter a speedy recovery.
Definitely the right decision. Particularly in the light of your daughter's illness. Enjoy the break and I'm sure that you'll come back feeling lighter and rearing to go.
Thanks for modeling having the courage to step away when you're not feeling it. I think a lot of us feel the same way about the world right now. Best wishes to your daughter with her recovery, and we will be here when you get back.
Focusing on your family, health and sanity first will never be the wrong choice. Breaks are needed to refresh and gain new perspective. I wish you a wonderful restoration journey.
Just been on a short break from Substack as we travelled to the Sahara desert in Morocco. It felt good- almost too good we must admit.
The honest day’s work, & play, is to see it all, or as much as capable of seeing at that point in process, & then reconcile debits, not just credits, all the way down to the net.
Doing that good & honest/accurate accounting is often characterized as misanthropic by the embezzlers who go by “optimists.”
If it’s a Little Giddings moment you’re having, that’s progress; congrats!
“We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.”
Velvet poet-gloves over the work-hardened hands of reality.
A wise decision, Chris. Recuperate well, be with your family, and keep thinking the good and deep thoughts that we all appreciate!
Self- (and family) care is important!
If you haven't seen it already this is interesting NYT reporting on McDonald's across the globe. (Should be a gift link, i.e. anyone can open and read without a paywall.) https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/travel/gary-he-mcdonalds-photography-book.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sk4.6Dyc.yS0PQhKDr3OU&smid=url-share
Sorry about your daughter, Chris.
Chris, I love reading what you write, and it absolutely does NOT have to be travel writing.
Rest up and take care of yourself and your family! The world will still be there in a couple of months (assuming no one starts a nuclear war, of course).
Heartfelt post. I celebrate your decision. Take all the time you need.
💕🙏🌬
Best wishes to you and your family Chris. Look forward to reading your future travel posts.
Bravo for diagnosing your own ennui and stepping away. As a reader I appreciate your enthusiasm and embrace of the places you visit and the questions you ask yourself and by extension us. I read your work because I find the world a big beautiful place and I want to maintain hope that people are good, creative and build meaningful lives of all kinds in all places. I will be honest since the last posts of your travels in the US the tone has felt different and it’s been getting harder for me to read. So while I’m not looking for Pollyanna I do really appreciate your self reflection and ability to do what you need to care for yourself and your family and determine when being a traveler and travel writer again makes sense.
Wishing you all the best in this time and your daughter a speedy recovery.
Thank you for articulating this so well. I’ve followed Chris since Hunts Point , and I have felt the same way about his recent trips.
Definitely the right decision. Particularly in the light of your daughter's illness. Enjoy the break and I'm sure that you'll come back feeling lighter and rearing to go.
✅ right choice
So you're human--no need to apologize!