A Change Is As Good As A Rest; Finding Magic In New Places and Spaces

By Tricia Scott.

Let's talk about stepping outside our comfort zones.

If you read last week's Biz Love Letter, you already know I took a little trip to Paris for the Cygnus 25 conference. And wow—was I reminded of the sheer power of a change in scenery.

There's something about being in a brand-new space, surrounded by fresh sights, sounds, and experiences, that shakes loose the cobwebs and makes room for all kinds of creativity to come flooding in. So many things about that three-day trip left a mark on me, but here are a few takeaways that I think we all need to remember more often:

✈️ Turning my phone on flight mode

I didn't realise how on edge I was—always subconsciously waiting for the next ping, email, or notification—until I switched my phone to flight mode. And let me tell you, it was liberating. Since returning, I've started using focus mode way more often, and it's been a game-changer. Highly recommend.

💛 Getting out of my comfort zone and around amazing people

You know that feeling when you walk into a room filled with next-level energy, and suddenly, your world feels ten times bigger? That was me last week. Listening to and engaging with powerhouse speakers reminded me just how transformative it is to be in the company of those who inspire you.

When you surround yourself with people who are pushing boundaries and thinking bigger, you can't help but level up. And let me tell you, the lineup of people I met was nothing short of mind-blowing:

✨ Sally Kettle – A world-record-holding adventurer and author, she's the first woman to row the Atlantic Ocean TWICE (yes, you read that right). She's also the Deputy Chief Guide for Girlguiding and CEO of The Active Pregnancy Foundation. Watch this space—there's more to come on Sally soon!

🦁 Professor Amy Dickman – A conservation biologist at Oxford University who is on a mission to protect threatened wildlife in human-dominated landscapes. An incredible visionary, she's also the co-founder of Lion Landscapes, working to ensure big cats have a future on this planet.

❄️ Al Chambers MBE – A polar adventurer, former Royal Marine Commando, and leadership expert. He led the first British-unsupported expedition to the North Pole and is now spearheading Mission Spiritus, a project with a bold vision for the future.

Each of these conversations left a mark on me, not just because of their achievements but because of their mindset. They reminded me (and now you) that massive growth happens when we step out of what's familiar, place ourselves in new spaces, and engage with people who challenge us to think bigger.

🇫🇷 Making time to take it all in

Walking through the streets of Paris, soaking in the beauty (and freezing my butt off), I felt a spark—that deep, soul-level inspiration that only comes when you break routine and place yourself somewhere new. New ideas were flying at me left, right, and centre and rather than immediately pulling out my phone to jot them down or trying to implement them on the spot, I did something different.

I let myself daydream.

I played with ideas in my head instead of rushing to act on them. I slowly sipped my coffee, wandered without an agenda, and allowed myself to just be. And let me tell you—it was like fresh air for my brain.

The good news is that you don't need a passport to find inspiration; it took a flight across the channel and navigating what might be the most confusing airport in the world (seriously, Charles de Gaulle, why did I need a metro to find my luggage?!) to remind me that a change is as good as a rest.

Here's my advice: Shake things up. Go somewhere different. Work from a new café or space, take a new route or join a new community. Change your environment and watch how it shifts your energy. Because staying in the same place—physically or mentally—might feel safe, but it also keeps us stagnant. And you, my beauty, are meant for expansion.

So this week, I challenge you: Try something new and step into a space that makes you think bigger.

Here's to fresh spaces, big, wild ideas, and the magic of stepping beyond what's comfortable.

I believe in you (always).

👉🏼If you want to receive a Biz Love Letter directly to your inbox every week, I email our Hello CEO mailing list every Monday. To join, head to The Homepage and sign up!

 Tricia Scott is a passionate startup business mentor and the Founder and Editor of The Female CEO - Create Evolve Overcome, a platform and digital magazine holding the space to showcase female entrepreneurs from all over the world. 

The Female CEO is gaining global recognition daily and Tricia is able to bring her own level of expertise as a start-up mentor and multi-company director to her very exclusive table along with her team of brilliant Guest Editors and Contributors. You'll usually find her with her MacBook in one hand and a coffee or a glass of something fizzy in the other. Reach out anytime!