Chelle Summer

Popping the Bubble

Michelle Rusk

We are just returned from a two-week road trip that took us into fourteen states plus Canada and across over 5,000 miles. And yet I know it would have been easy not to take the trip, that there are a million reasons to stay home and forget the rest of the world exists.

But the best thing we can do for ourselves is to pop our bubbles. We’ve gotten too comfortable being home since the pandemic started. The pandemic gave everyone an excuse to not go out, to not be with people, to not see the world. I know it made it harder for me to get back into the rhythm of seeking out new experiences. I got much too comfortable and I’ve had to work harder to make sure I leave my comfort zone because I know that I’m much happier as a person when I do explore new places and meet new people.

While I have several photos from the trip that are my favorites, I believe this one sums up the overall vibe and reflection I have of the trip. It was taken at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, one of the remaining Route 66 motels (I’ll tackle that topic in another blog). That ribbon of highway stretched out in front of me is there for the exploring; that road is much like life. It’s there for us if we choose to take it.

I’m also wearing a new Chelle Summer outfit I created. Part of getting out of my bubble is also sharing Chelle Summer with more people (more coming on that, too).

I could have stayed home and sat in my swimming pool for two weeks while the dogs ran around it. Instead, I stuck a needle in my bubble and had a slew of experiences I never could have imagined.

I’m glad I popped my bubble.