"You know where the penthouse is?"

The disgusted rugged hiker shot me a look like I was a Kardashian at the purposefully 2-star accommodations of the identical tiny-a*s bunk rooms of the Hike Inn.

Aaanyway, in the odyssey following the department of the corporate world last year, I went on an overnight solo hike to the Hike Inn last summer.

5 miles up the Appalachian Trail to a solar-powered, sustainable, zero waste, proudly no-frills inn with a bath house with running water and family-style wholesome simple meals prepared by a chef run by a small staff and volunteers.

Last year, I found it so charming, and so jarring how addicted I was to my phone - and the fallout of what happens when you simply are off the grid. Or as they say, above the grid.

I didn't know what to do with myself without the access of technology readily available.

With quite a bit of time, reflection, and a new perspective 10 months later, I proudly took my family back with me to experience it themselves.

My kids are 7 and 10 - and they are decidedly city kids. And also, they're kind of indoor kids. Not that they don't love being outside, but they aren't terribly athletic and don't spend nearly enough time out in the wild. #supermom

So no surprise, they started complaining they were tired after 10 minutes of our almost 4 hour climb up. 🤦‍♀️

But they settled into the mission - almost as if an inner-perseverance took over.

And something happened at the inn that I wasn't expecting.

We gave the kids free reign to go wherever they wanted on the property.

And they didn't leave our sides.

They played board games with us.

We were unplugged and the kids couldn't have been happier to have that quality undistracted time with us.

When nighttime fell, we noticed that we easily surrendered to our natural rhythms and were ready to go to bed.

We had adjoining bunk rooms. The kids both wanted to sleep on the top bunk together.

I was on the bottom bunk in the other room. And y'all, these are SINGLE bunks.

And my daughter climbed down the bottom bunk to tuck ME in like I always tuck her in.

She lovingly tucked the sheets around me, gave me kisses 😘 , and then grabbed my little book 📖 , and said she wanted to read to ME like I read to her.

I was practically in tears. 😭

I honestly don't think this would have ever happened if we were staying in a fancy resort with all the amenities somewhere.

My daughter just wanted a real connection. My son just wanted real connections with his dad (and me, too).

This was our natural rhythm surrounded by nature.

INVITATION: Plan (or unplan) a stripped-down technology-free event with someone you deeply love. Nothing fancy. Maybe it's a picnic on the floor of your living room. Or pitching a tent in your backyard. Or even going to an open field, putting down a blanket, and watching the stars. Or even do this by yourself. 😘 😘 😘

And THIS has been a loooooong time coming. I have two huge announcements and a big update on today's new solo episode.

LISTEN TO THE NEW LATE LEARNER PODCAST: Personal updates, Two Big Announcements, and a yoga fart

or

WATCH LATE LEARNER EP (I'm committing to get better at video - it's a work in progress!)

xo,

Allison

P.S. Feeling a little burnt-out and want to feel free and energized again? I got you! Beta of my new mastermind, Effective Collective begins on 4/17. Apply here and see if you're a fit! Only 10 spots. Do NOT sleep on this opportunity.

P.P.S. I was so taken by the immobile pleasant smile in the old interviews. And that the expectation of women at any age is to NEVER look unpleasant.

P.P.P.S. ATLANTA! Want to dance with me? I officially am teaching a new Reb3l Groove Dance class RIGHT ON THE ATLANTA BELTLINE at the Training Room. Book your spot on Wednesday mornings at 8:30am (timing designed to drop off kids and come get your workout on before your day officially starts!).