Roma Roma Roma. So many beautiful things to see in this city of secrets. Unfortunately, I got pretty sick and didn't get to experience much of it. I spent my first four days pent up in the hotel room, downing hot tea and sleeping the day away.

I think my body is mad at me for performing the night before I moved from LA to Nashville in a cross country drive, then getting right on a plane to Italy. My schedule the last few months has been non-stop and no time for rest. Not to mention I've been preparing for tour. Getting sick is my body's way of telling me to slow down and just be.

So that’s what I did. Now I am in Florence and remembering why I fell head over heels for this city exactly one year ago. As an outgoing introvert it’s perfect. Sure, there are crowded places where tourists gather, but there are also side streets that lead to secret gardens, quiet piazza’s, and cozy café’s.

One of my favorite things to see is how intricately the streets are decorated.

Bicycle decorations are my latest obsession. Peep the rope lights draped around the wheels.

If you look closely, there is so much detail that goes into these lovely garden bikes. From their colors to their plants, you can tell a lot of thought goes into each decoration.

Across the river is my favorite little restaurant. It’s a small room underneath the owner’s apartment. He and his daughter seem to run the place. The menu is handwritten and each morning the owner goes to the market to buy his fresh ingredients for the day. They have a projector on the wall that plays live concert videos of Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel. It’s my happy place.

I’m so glad I came on this trip without knowing anyone. The past few months I didn’t realize how much I needed to be by myself. Traveling on my own gives me a sense of adventure and freedom, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t lonely at times. I don’t know, maybe loneliness is healthy. If we experience loneliness we’re less likely to take our relationships for granted and I think that’s something that happens far too often. I also believe the most devastating relationships come from not knowing ourselves well enough. If we don’t take the time to understand ourselves, how can we expect others to understand us? It’s like an oxygen mask on a plane, first you help yourself then you assist others. Right now I’m focused on being the best version of me for myself, but eventually it will make me a better partner, friend, artist, and potentially mother??? (YIKES perhaps I’ve been alone too long this week LOL).