Midyear Reflections: What’s Filling My Cup in 2025

Christie Costello
Jul 18
4 min read

From the messy middle to what’s lighting me up right now

Somehow, we’re halfway through 2025—and honestly, I’m still catching my breath.

This year has surprised me in more ways than one. Professionally, I didn’t expect to be this busy. Italy has stayed wildly popular despite the challenges of the Jubilee Year, and Greece seems to be on everyone’s radar. I’ve found myself booking trip after trip across the Mediterranean, which—along with Alaska—is clearly becoming a signature specialty of mine.

But behind the scenes, it’s been a more personal kind of journey.

Person takes selfie with a woman in a hospital bed wearing a yellow shirt. Medical equipment and hospital room visible. Happy and comforting mood.

At the end of last year, we hit a rough patch with my mom’s health, and I suddenly found myself balancing hospital runs, caregiver hiring, and all the logistics that come with supporting our aging mothers who live with me and my husband. It was a lot—and if I’m honest, I’ve felt buried more than once. What kept me going (besides prayer, which I’ve leaned on daily) was the patience and kindness of my clients. I’ve been behind the entire year so far, and somehow… no one fired me. Instead, I was met with grace. That kind of trust and understanding means more than I can say.

There was also deep personal grief: earlier this year, we said goodbye to one of our two beloved pups, Lexi. The loss left a quiet space in our home and hearts. And not long after, I lost my spiritual director of ten years, Julie—a companion in some of my most vulnerable seasons. Her passing has been an even deeper ache. It’s hard to put into words how much she meant to me, but her wisdom and presence are woven into the way I walk through the world.

And yet, in the stillness, there have been small joys too—like our first real snowfall since moving to Georgia—substantial enough for snowball tossing, it covered our little corner of the world in magic for a brief moment. With travel on pause (the longest stretch in 15 years that Chris and I haven’t gone anywhere!), we’ve found ourselves exploring closer to home. We’ve spent many afternoons walking through the botanical gardens just down the road, trying new local spots, and reconnecting with the rhythm of our own community. I even caught a musical in downtown ATL with my brother—and game nights with close friends have been a balm for the soul. Some of those same friends brought meals when we were knee-deep in the hardest parts of caregiving. That kind of love is hard to put into words.

And through it all, my mom—who was, truly, at death’s door—is recovering. Her progress feels nothing short of a miracle. Watching her regain her strength has been reminding me not to take any moment for granted.

The Work That Grounds Me

What’s kept me feeling alive in the midst of it all? Without a doubt, it’s been the Zoom conversations after my clients return home—their smiling faces, their photos from the road, their stories that remind me just how much I care about every trip I plan. Truly—I think about you when you’re gone. I pray for your safety and joy. I live vicariously through your adventures.

And now, I’m finally getting ready for a big travel moment of my own.

The Trip I’ve Been Dreaming Of

In September, I’ll celebrate turning 50 with a huge monthlong trip to the Mediterranean. The plan? A few days in Barcelona (finally seeing the Sagrada Familia!), a cruise aboard the brand-new Sun Princess, a little downtime in Italy to breathe and soak it all in, and then our 9-night Italy Foodie Tour—one of my favorite hosted group trips I’ve ever created. Chris and I will cap things off with a quick overnight in Copenhagen, a city I’ve never visited. It feels like the perfect mix of excitement, indulgence, and soul-nourishing adventure.

Packing list? Walking shoes, of course. But also: enthusiasm, courage, and a reminder to stay present through the whirlwind of new experiences.

Sparks of Inspiration

While I haven’t personally traveled this year (yet!), my clients have taken me all over the world through their itineraries. Every single trip I plan sparks a little wanderlust (well, a lot, actually). Just this week, one of my Alaska travelers flew over Gates of the Arctic National Park and is about to helicopter onto a glacier to go dog sledding. I’m so envious in the best way—and reminded why I do this work.

My year so far has also sparked a personal goal: I want to make Italy an annual tradition. Lately, I’ve been diving into where my paternal grandparents were born—two little villages in Italy I’ve never visited. I’m feeling a deep pull to walk those streets, hear the local accents, and reconnect with a part of myself I haven’t yet met. It’s a dream I hope to bring to life in the near future—and one I know many of my clients share as they explore their own roots.

I’m also eager to visit the Greek islands—beyond Santorini—so I can help clients experience the beauty and charm of lesser-known destinations and avoid the crowds that sometimes dampen the magic.

What’s Next

As I look ahead to the second half of the year, I’m focusing on some intentional shifts—like better scheduling for deep research time, protecting my energy, and setting boundaries so I don’t burn out. I want to serve my clients well without losing myself in the hustle.

And I want more connection. Some of my longtime clients have become real friends over the years, and I’d love to see more of that happen. I’m hopeful that my upcoming trips—the cruise, the Italy tour, and our Panama Canal group in January—will bring new friendships, spontaneous laughter, and unforgettable memories.