Unplugged
How to Disconnect from the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis, and Find Meaning and Fulfillment.
Written by Nancy Whitney-Reiter, reviewed by Lisa D. Smith

This book is so appropriate and so necessary for this day and age where we are all running around with ears plugged up with MP3 players, IPODs, Blackberry’s or cell phones, not to mention our poor eyes constantly straining at the computer or in front of the TV. And what do we do for fun? Do we even have time for fun? What is fun? Video games, more TV – or I know – whatever pop culture tells us to do! As a society, we have become so desensitized that we can barely remember who the heck we are as individuals.

Have you ever sat down and wondered what happened to those childhood dreams of becoming a fireman, a newscaster, a photographer, an Olympic swimmer – the list goes on. Do you feel stressed out, burned out, tired, sad or irritable? Do want to have real and wholesome relationships with others? Is getting sick your only way to get time off? If so – I highly recommend you read ‘Unplugged’ by Nancy-Whitney Reiter. This book is not one of those typical self-help books that will simply ease the symptoms. It’s a book that heals and nourishes the soul – the very roots of your being, as it takes you on an off-the-beaten-path journey leading you to the real you. Look at it as the ‘journey to the center of your soul’.

In the book, Nancy shares her personal story of surviving the attacks of 9/11, leaving her job at a Fortune 500 company, and her own soul-searching journey. She encourages us to get away from it all with solo travel and sabbaticals – especially travel that takes you out into nature and away from the stress and pollution. She recommends volunteering and educational trips. The complete ‘how-to’ book on taking your soul-searching journey, ‘Unplugged’ gives you all the action steps you will need including how to decide what type of trip to take and for how long, how to pay your bills before you leave and while you are gone, how to get time of work, what to do once you leave home, what to do once you come home, how to handle your emotions, how to journal, and so much more. The exercises at the end of each chapter are terrific, and the personal stories of others who ‘unplug’ are helpful and inspiring.

This is a gem of a book that can save your life. And if your life doesn’t need saving – it’s simply a great book filled with travel tips and resources to help you plan your next travel adventure or ‘unplugged’ journey.

About the Author - Nancy Whitney-Reiter is a former economist and corporate market analyst. As a 9/11 survivor and Generation Xer, she found herself questioning the true meaning of “success,” and embarked on a year long travel sabbatical. Her travels took her to Costa Rica and South Africa, where she worked as a volunteer teacher and wildlife researcher. Thanks to this unhampered time of reflection, she decided to abandon the corporate lifestyle in order to pursue her true passions: nature, teaching, and writing.

Her first book, Unplugged:  How to Disconnect from the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis, and Find Meaning and Fulfillment was published this summer by Sentient Publications.  Her next book, It’s Not Too Late! (To Do What You Love) will be out in the Spring of 2009, from Adams Media.

Nancy has lived in six countries on three continents, and has traveled to more than 40 countries and 17 states to date. She is fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish, and is learning Portuguese and Zulu.

Nancy Whitney Reiter has a BS in Economics and International Studies from University of South Florida. She also has a MA in Economics from University of South Florida. She currently resides in northern Arizona, near Prescott.

Author Nancy Whitney-Reiter was a featured guest on Champagne Sundays Radio Show with hosts Blend Magazine editors Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith. This show aired live on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 11am-1pm Pacific. To listen to the entire, unedited show, please click here. To listen to Nancy's interview, please double click on the Play Button below.