By: Shari Hooper, CSA®, BFA™
Senior Wealth Advisor
Earlier this year, I planned a trip to Iceland for a family vacation. The day of departure seemed far off until it arrived suddenly, sandwiched between my son’s high school graduation and all the usual end-of-school-year chaos. It felt like a whirlwind of planning, packing, and
preparing, but just days after the graduation festivities we boarded a red-eye flight from Detroit to Reykjavik, and we were off.
Known as the Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland truly lived up to its name. We explored something breathtaking every day: waterfalls, churches, glaciers, lava rock. The natural beauty we saw is something I’ll never forget. In the evenings, we returned to our Airbnb, played intense rounds of euchre (girls vs. boys — and yes, we girls won!), and just enjoyed each other’s company. It was fun, simple, and surprisingly fulfilling.
One of our most memorable stops was a bathhouse alongside the very lake where we had gone fly fishing earlier that week. Iceland is full of hot springs — some mild, some steamy, but all deeply relaxing. This one also had a cold plunge straight into the lake.
People were there with friends and family, sipping wine, soaking, and unwinding. No one was in a rush. No one was checking their phone. They were just… there.
Here are the five things that have really stayed with me.
Lessons from Iceland
1. They prioritize their relationships. Quality time with family and friends is not something squeezed in — it’s foundational.
2. Work ends when the day ends. No emails at night. No late-night work calls. Evenings are reserved for rest, family, and joy.
3. Stress isn’t a badge of honor. In fact, many Icelanders don’t understand the pressure we place on ourselves in the U.S.
4. There’s no obsession with appearance. People care for themselves, but there’s little pressure to look or perform a certain way.
5. The hot springs aren’t a luxury — they’re a necessity. They’re seen as part of a healthy, balanced life, not an indulgence.
I returned from that trip refreshed in more ways than one — not just by the beauty of the country, but by the values quietly woven into everyday life there. I’m holding onto these lessons and making a greater effort to live with more intention, more presence, and less pressure.
Maybe this can inspire you, too.
