My husband, whose only vice is buying many, many books, found one this week that he had intended to give me months ago. It's called IKIGAI The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.

It was a very timely find. I've been getting anxious at the prospect of winter. Of short, colder days, long evenings, patios closing, no cinemas or theatres, no dinners with friends and, of course, no travel 

Ikigai means "a reason for living". The book delves into how to find your ikigai which, according to the residents of Japans village with the world's longest-living people, is the key to a happier and longer life. So, I'm reading and I'm in pursuit. I'm in pursuit of a pandemic project that feeds my ikigai.

And, as often happens when there is intent, I'm seeing a convergence of influence towards it. This morning, listening to Michelle Obama's "Becoming" she mentioned Jesse Jackson's campaign to have kids sign pledges to two hours of homework each night. Two hours, I should be doing that. Rather than meandering towards the goals within me, I think a more disciplined approach to my ikigai will do me well this winter. And so I made my pledge. Discipline is not always my long suit but I'll try.  

Our 2020 "Have Your Say" Reader Survey

Our 2020 reader survey will wrap up tomorrow at midnight Esatern time. This year our Reader Survey is presented with the support of Overseas Adventure Travel, a long-time client and supporter of solo travelers. With the information you provide, we will be better able to:

• Advocate on behalf of all solo travelers with the travel industry.
• Serve up what you want most on Solo Traveler.

We'll share the results of the survey with you in a couple of weeks and we'll use your input as we plan for the coming year. If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to complete the 2020 Solo Traveler Reader Survey and help us advocate and serve you better.

That's it for now. Take good care of yourself,

• The Wits & Wonder Travel Course Solo travelers have given the course 4.4 stars out of 5 and 79% say they are likely to recommend it to a friend. Many already have!
• Going Alone? Travel Insurance is a Must - why I never travel without insurance, how I've used it to recover losses, and how to buy it. 
• VPN for Travel: What, Why and an Easy Setup Guide - it will protect your identity on public WiFi and let's you browse the net in English even if you're in a foreign country.
• Solo Travel Deals Page. Updated monthly, to our knowledge this is the only list of tours with no or low single supplements on the Internet.
• Bare Minimum Packing: Here’s Your Packing List - our ultimate packing check list which I continue to use for every trip.