5 Wellness Retreats to Escape To In 2024

1. Follow 'leave no trace' principles.

Because many National Parks workers and rangers were laid off, each parks’ efforts to keep trails, campgrounds, visitor centers, and restrooms may be minimized, irregular, or non-existent. Following ‘leave no trace’ principles implies your full responsibility for cleaning up the trash, food scraps, and more that you bring into the park.

Leaving no trace also includes staying on designated trails to prevent erosion that could impact local ecosystems and wildlife. And when it comes to wildlife, it’s best to not interact with their habitats – keep a safe distance and never feed the animals you may come across. This is also for your own safety!

For more information and guidance on how you can leave no trace, visitLNT.org.

2. Plan ahead.

If your national park itinerary includes day hiking, backpacking, or camping, planning ahead will be a key step in making sure your trip is as seamless as can be. This is especially pertinent as certain trails and areas may experience closures in light of the recent NPS layoffs.

So, what does planning ahead look like? It could be checking park websites in advance to be aware of any closures, fees, wait times, or limited services, bringing your own maps, first-aid kits, and packing plenty of food and water.

3. Get familiar with being self-sufficient.

This next method for responsibly visiting national parks goes hand-in-hand with ‘leave no trace’ and planning ahead. Since certain park rescue and ranger positions were also affected by the cuts, you’ll want to be 100% positive that you’ve brought everything you need in case of an emergency.

You’re not entirely on your own, though. During your visit, you’re sure to run into friendly faces that know basic first aid principles, how to read a map, and how to reach out for help if it’s needed. Make a friend on the trail or campground and simply show up for each other!

4. Be patient and respectful.

Fewer workers and rangers in the national parks may mean slower service, whether it’s waiting to enter the parks or pay for goods. Of course, a slower process puts on a strain on everyone – visitors and workers alike. Be kind to staff and fellow parks lovers, and avoid peak hours to reduce any strain on park resources.

5. Support the parks through donations and volunteer work.

If you can’t make it out to (or simply don’t want to visit) a national park this season, you can still show your love and support for the parks by donating directly to NPS or groups like National Parks Conservation Association.

Additionally, contacting lawmakers in your local government for better park funding can be effective in making sure your voice is heard. Finally, you could also join volunteer programs in your nearest national park for things like trail maintenance or clean-ups.

10 of Wands & 10 of Pentacles:

The reading emphasizes a theme of completion and abundance. The 10 of Wands suggests that the path to your desired outcome is near, and you must persist through the final push. Giving up now would be detrimental as you are on the verge of achieving your goals. The 10 of Pentacles reinforces this message, indicating abundance in all areas of life: money, time, energy, relationships, and joy. You are nearing the end of a significant phase, described as "the end of the beginning," which will propel you forward. For some, this signifies the culmination of a project or goal, and for others, it's about finalizing the initial steps to ensure a strong foundation for future endeavors. The message is clear: complete what you've started, add the finishing touches, and celebrate your achievements. Don't rush into the next phase until you've fully concluded the current one. Focus on your personal definition of "perfect" and recognize that your own standard is sufficient.

King of Pentacles:

This card highlights themes of integrity, honesty, and truth, with a particular emphasis on discerning information. On a wider scale, it warns against blindly following authority figures, even those you respect. You are urged to conduct your own research, question what you hear, and assess how information directly affects you. There may be deception regarding finances or other matters of material value. Personally, be mindful of white lies and trust your intuition when something feels off. Rely on your own knowledge and wisdom to navigate situations, whether it's in your personal relationships or in understanding broader societal issues. The card encourages you to be discerning, to sift through "smoke and mirrors," and to ensure that you are receiving and sharing honest information.

King of Swords & Five of Cups:

These cards address the challenges of manifestation and maintaining a positive mindset. The King of Swords represents mastery and intuitive action, while the Five of Cups signifies disappointment. The message is to avoid dwelling on what isn't working and instead focus on your accomplishments and what you are grateful for. You may feel discouraged by perceived setbacks, but these are part of the learning process. The King of Swords advises you to tailor your manifestation practices to your own needs and preferences. Take notes on what works and what doesn't, and don't be afraid to adjust your approach. Avoid focusing on negativity, as it can hinder your intuitive connection and pull you away from your path to mastery. Instead, celebrate your small wins, learn from your experiences, and trust in your ability to navigate challenges. The reading emphasizes that you are learning a new skill and should give yourself grace and focus on what you know and what you have.

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Has Gemma been an innie the whole time?

TikTok user @msauroraalice made the connection that Severance season 2 episode 9, "The After Hours," has the same title as a specific Twilight Zone episode in which a mannequin, well, forgets she's a mannequin. And now we're all wondering whether Severance is going to reveal a very similar plotline with Gemma.

"Could Gemma have been manufactured at Lumon and all of her experience with Mark is just a severed version of herself," @msauroraalice says, theorizing that "there is no Gemma."

"I bet this next episode, Gemma or Helly has a horrifying discovery about themselves just like the mannequin realizing she's not even alive," she continues.

Clearly, this Twilight Zone episode has a ton of similarities to Severance, with the split identities of it all. And as one Reddit user just made it even more heartbreaking by saying, "She could be an experiment from the very start which is why they went as far as to fake her death and recruit Mark to work for them. That would be heartbreaking. It would mean Mark and Gemma 's relationship was manufactured from the beginning."

"The After Hours" is sure to set us up for a crazy 'Severance' season 2 finale.

After everything Mark has been through, this would truly be a heartbreaking turn of events and I don't know if I could handle it! I'm not alone, either. TikTok users flooded the comments of the post (which has over 900K views).

"If Gemma was never a full person to begin with I'm gonna lose my mind," one user said, while another theorized, "I think Gemma is real but she actually died. Lumon had plans for her to begin with so they revived her body because they effectively own it and now she's stuck in purgatory testing."

But if this Severance theory breaks your heart as much as it breaks mine, there's a silver lining. "The next episode after 'The After Hours' from TWZ is called 'The Mighty Casey' and is about a robot who becomes more human I believe," a third TikTok user says.

But honestly, emotional devastation — and peeling back a character's insecurities, fears, and heartbreak to get to their core — make for really good TV because of how relatable those moments can be. So we'll just have to see what the Severance season 2 finale has in store.