What Do I Need to Get Happier?

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I hope this finds you well.

Welcome to another edition of The Matt Viera Newsletter.

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What do you do to get happier?

For me, it's a weekend getaway.

A weekend getaway "off-grid" is even better.

While I didn't precisely get off-grid this weekend, I did get away and stay in a cabin in the Adirondacks region of upstate New York.

Overall, it was a nice getaway - the drive upstate was beautiful as the fall foliage was in full effect.

I went out to dinner at a German-style beer hall/brewery.

I made a small campfire and sat by the campfire for a few hours.

The best part: I slept deeply.

On the drive back to the city, I listened to an episode of The Tim Ferriss Show with guest Albert C. Brooks.

If you're into podcasts, I highly recommend listening to the episode, the title of which is in part "How to Be Happy" (I'll post the link below).

One particular point made within the episode really resonated with me: spend more time in nature.

That point reinforces to me the fact that I'm on to something, considering some of my getaways range from the extreme: solo cross-country road trips to a cabin in Wyoming to the easy: getaways to a cabin in upstate New York.

But for me, the ultimate getaway, what gets me happier, is spending time in nature off-grid - a complete disconnect from all of the noise of civilization and its trappings.

What I mean when I say "off-grid" is:

• No wi-fi

• No electricity

• No cell phone service

• No fancy campfire meals

• Very few, if any, other people

I'll go to an area for two or more days and immerse myself in the quiet of the experience.

The experience - a complete disconnect from modern conveniences - rejuvenates me.

It's one of the ways I combat the overstimulation of living in New York City.

Plus, it's an opportunity to step back, reanalyze my life and goals, and appreciate life.

And I'm not alone: according to a recent survey, "55% [of travelers want] to spend their vacations off-grid."

While I don't get off-grid as often as I would like, it's something I've been doing for years.

I keep everything I need in my SUV so I can drive off on a Friday afternoon after work and drive to any one of a few places I found in which I can spend a weekend away from pretty much everything to focus on myself.

This investment in personal time in nature pays back dividends for my mental and emotional well-being.

If you have yet to experience a weekend (or more) off-grid, it's something I encourage you to try.

And, if I piqued your curiosity in an "off-grid" experience, here are 7 destinations I guarantee will help you get happier:

1) Valley of the Gods, Utah

It's one of my favorite places on the planet.

I plan to buy a small RV or camper van in the next year or two and spend at least 2 weeks here.

2) Moose River Plains, New York

You can find this off-grid getaway ~8 hours north of NYC.

3) Ferris Lake Wild Forest, New York

My go-to off-grid retreat during the winter months.

The drive is ~4 hours north of NYC.

4) Mojave National Preserve, California

I spent a few nights here during my 2021 cross-country road trip.

5) Bird Trap Springs, Oregon

Lots of wildlife.

Very few, if any, other people.

6) Monument Lake Campground, Everglades, Florida

This campground sits about halfway between Miami and Naples on US Highway 41.

Take the Loop Road Scenic Drive to see wild alligators.

7) Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah

It is an extremely remote, off-grid experience.

I didn't see another human being the entire time I was here.

An off-grid getaway may not be for everyone and may be a bit ambitious; with proper planning, an off-grid getaway can be an absolute game changer in so many different ways.

If you ask yourself, "What do I need to do to get happier?"

An off-grid getaway may be the answer you're looking for.

Do you have a favorite “off-grid” getaway?

If so, reply to this email and let me know. I’d love to hear about it.

Interesting reads:

Travel Predictions 2023

The Tim Ferris Show (#692)

You can find the collection of my favorite financial tools & resources by clicking here.

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