lifetime trip meaning

Seeking them out (along with their less endangered compatriots) will become your main objective as soon as you land. And though local safari vehicles are perfectly accustomed to waterlogged game drives, one of the most sublime wildlife experiences you can have—here or anywhere—is to boat out among the ellies, hippos and zebra, or go on a heli-safari.  Back at your camp, the wildlife show typically continues, with creatures ambling by as you laze in a hammock or plunge pool. The luxe-leaning area lodges —i.e., the ones befitting of a trip of a lifetime—also offer everything from massage on your balcony to private barbecue dinners under the stars.

Island-hopping through French Polynesia

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Where would you go for the trip of a lifetime?

• June 29, 2018
• No comments
• 6 minute read

Long time readers of this blog will know that in recent years, I’ve stuck firmly to the city break as my holiday type of choice. City breaks are perfect when you want to see a lot of the world, but you are on a budget, both in terms of time and of course money. I can leave on a Friday, return on a Sunday and have a whole heap of new food in my belly, photos on my camera and memories of a new destination without having to sacrifice a lot of my holiday allowance. In fact last year I went on 14 trips in total, all around a full time job.

But before that, and before this blog kicked off properly I was a two weeks in the sun kind of girl.  I thought that’s how you did travel. You took 10-12 days of your holiday allowance for that once in a year sort of trip, and used the rest for life admin and Christmas. I managed to travel to Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic that way, and I do not regret spending a few years holidaying in that way and having time to see places in a way that suited my life back then.

For now, I’m at a bit of a travel crossroads. I keep a piece of paper stuck to my wall with all the potential destinations I could visit in a year – city breaks in Poland, a short beach holiday in Cyprus, a heritage visit to a cute town in the UK. All of these are manageable if I work hard and save my pennies. But I’ve been yearning for more. I want a longer adventure, some time to relax (I haven’t had more than 7 straight days off work for three years) and a destination that is a little bit fabulous.

But the longer adventures, and the something a little bit fabulous will need a budget that I just don’t have right now. There’s the mortgage to pay, the house renovations to complete (that hole in my back wall is getting bigger by the day) and the ever present reality that soon I might have a little Sparrow to spend my pennies on.

So it is pretty incredible to have been shortlisted for The Post Office Affordable Travel Blogger of the Year Award , and a prize of £5,000 to spend on the trip of a lifetime.

*opens the party poppers, pours a gin and tonic*

I’ve thought long and hard about what a trip of a lifetime would mean to me, given my desire to go a little further, and for a little longer than my average two night break. I considered Fiji, a visit to Kruger National Park in South Africa, Lord of the Rings spotting in New Zealand or maybe even a USA road trip. But there is only one place that I really dream about, and that brings tears of joy to my eyes when I think about it (honestly, I cry at everything).

I want to go and visit the swimming pigs on Exuma Island in the Bahamas.

Those swimming pigs

Yes, you heard that right. There is a place in this big wide world of ours where where pigs swim in the sea – a phenomenon that doesn’t occur anywhere else, and it just so happens to be in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. There are many theories as to how this happened, many linked right back to the explorations of Christopher Columbus. I’ve watched the video  that I stumbled across one night whilst in a You Tube black hole at least a hundred times, and I’m desperate to get under the skin of this a little more, and find out about the history of this island, and how these gorgeous animals came to exist so far away from the habitat we might associate with them in the UK.

You could, by now, call it an obsession.

The swimming pigs live on Exuma, a district of the Bahamas, consisting of over 365 islands which are known as cays. I’ll be honest and say that I was never particularly drawn to the Bahamas as a holiday destination before the magical pigs led me on a journey of internet discovery. Don’t get me wrong, it really looks like paradise but I’m not a sunbathe on the beach type of girl, and when I have been to a destination like this in the past it’s always been combined with cultural activities and visiting cities too.

But I couldn’t have been more wrong about the Bahamas, and it’s now perched high on the top of my bucket list. Actually, nothing else on my bucket list really matters!

Staying in Nassau

The Bahamas are made up of over 700 islands and cays, meaning that there is so much to explore and do. That said, I’d stay opt to stay in Nassau , the capital of the Bahamas, because from there it is an easy day trip to hang out with the swimming pigs, and if it were possible I’d totally do that twice!

If I had the chance to stay in Nassau itself, I wouldn’t be short of other things to explore. The imposing Fort Fincastle (built in 1793), colonial streets and pastel hued buildings, a gorgeous lonely lighthouse to photograph and Arawak Cay, known for its street food culture.

The Cloisters, located on Paradise Island within Nassau look especially beautiful – the remnants of a 14th century French monastery that was brought to the island. Apparently the views from here over the whole of Nassau are breathtaking, and I do enjoy a good view.

There are plenty of amazing hotels in Nassau too – including the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar  and Breezes , both of which would certainly hit my criteria of being a little bit fabulous and allow me to really relax between adventuring! It is the trip of a lifetime after all.

Exploring further afield

Given there are so many islands and cays to visit, I’d love to squeeze in some time exploring a little further afield. The Glass Window Bridge is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen before, and visiting would give me the opportunity to see another area of The Bahamas, Eleuthera. It’s known as the “narrowest place on earth” and is where the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea meet.

Lucayan National Park is home to a spectacular system of underground caves. Whilst I can’t scuba dive, it is also home to many hiking trails which is something I’d love to do (and I’m sure will bring back memories of hiking in the rainforest in Costa Rica). Gold Rock Beach is also located inside the park boundary and I’m sure that I could manage a nice little sit down in the sun taking it all in!

Finally, Harbour Island is home to many historical landmarks and natural areas of beauty that are well worth seeing. Firstly, it is home to the famous Pink Sands Beach , pink hued from  the 4,000 species of forams that live in the sand. Secondly, if I look hard enough I’ll find a hidden and very much overgrown 17th century battery built by the English to defend the island (and I love ruined places). And finally, I really want to see some of that colonialist architecture, so I’ll try and sneak a peek at the  Commissioner’s Residence , built in 1913.

Let the voting commence!

You can head on over to The Post Office website  to vote for me as Affordable Travel Blogger of the Year until midnight on Tuesday 17th July, and hopefully make my trip of a lifetime a reality. I’ve never spent anywhere close to £5000 on a trip, and to be able to do something so special and so completely fabulous would make my decade. And I’d of course take you all on that journey with me through my photography and stories from this stunning destination.

If you’ve enjoyed my city break guides, UK day trip tips or musings on how travel can still be a part of your life if you work full time, I’d so appreciate your vote. And if not – I hope you enjoy the idea of swimming pigs as much as I do – here’s that video of them again one more time . You’re welcome.

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Planning the Trip of a Lifetime: Tips to Consider

Photo by C. Cagnin from Pexels

Taking a trip or vacation is a great way to decompress and relax — most likely, you’ll come back feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. After all, studies have shown that there are countless benefits of taking a vacation . Time away from work spent with people you love, or even vacationing alone, can positively impact your mental and physical health. Taking time to breathe and slow down allows the body to rest in ways it can’t while experiencing everyday stress.

Given the past year and a half of events, planning the trip of a lifetime is something more people are looking to do more than ever before. The pandemic caused people to cancel their trips and reconsider traveling in general. Travel as we once knew it is different, but thankfully, it’s starting to open up again (with a few changes, of course). Needless to say, it’s been a while since people have planned for a trip, and it’s time to brush up on what it takes to make an amazing trip happen.

Here are a few things to keep in mind in order to successfully plan the trip of your dreams:

Assess your budget

The first step in planning a trip is to come up with an idea of how you are going to fund it. The first step is to assess your budget and figure out what options are available to you. Using cash is always a great option as you don’t have to worry about additional credit card fees or foreign transaction fees if you’re traveling abroad. Other options include utilizing a credit card or a personal line of credit. When comparing a credit card and a personal line of credit , it’s important to understand the intentions and purpose of each. Credit cards are commonly used for short-term payments, while a personal line of credit is more often used for longer-term financing. Keep this in mind when determining which financing timeline suits your lifestyle when planning your big trip. With a personal line of credit, you are given a balance of funds to dip into during the draw period, which could be beneficial both while planning a trip or during the trip itself. Knowing a budget and having a plan of attack is a crucial first step of the process.

Research a destination

Once you have a budget in place, you can begin exploring destinations. If this is in fact the trip of a lifetime, ask yourself: “Where do I envision having the best, most memorable time?” Are you picturing yourself on a beach, in the mountains, or in a different country? Do you want your trip to be filled with adventures or relaxation? How far are you willing to travel? By asking yourself these questions, you’ll be able to narrow down destination options, so you can move on to the next phase of planning!

If you like visiting one place very often, it would be a good idea to get a timeshare so you’ll surely have a place to stay. Just make sure to consult a timeshare exit company to guide on cancelling your timeshare should you no longer need it.

Find accommodations

The next step in planning the trip of a lifetime is finding accommodations. Once you’ve determined the location, you can l ook into accommodation options . There are countless options as to where you can stay, whether it be a hotel, Airbnb, hostel, motel, condominium, or lodge. Each accommodation falls within a different price range and has a variety of benefits. As you look through the options, keep in mind the level of luxury you’re looking for, the distance of the accommodation in reference to the places you might want to explore, as well as the price point of each.

Book your travel

Whether you’re taking a long road trip in your car or a plane abroad, booking your travel is an imperative step. Finding the best prices, especially for flights, can be stressful. A CheapAir survey looked at how far in advance you should book your flight s, and the ideal time is 47 days prior to the trip. For traveling internationally, you should book your flights about 90 days before your travel dates. For other forms of travel such as trains, you can do so as little as 24 hours before departure. Even if you plan on driving as your method of transportation, some planning should take place. Make sure your car is in tip-top shape before hitting the road. The last thing you want to deal with is a flat tire or having your brakes go out mid-trip!

Prepare to be away

Last, but certainly not least, a crucial part of planning is to make plans for life at home while you’re away. This means automating your bills, canceling your mail or organizing for a neighbor to hold it for you, hiring a sitter to watch your pe t, and putting all your garbage out on the curb. The more chores you can take care of before you leave, the better you’ll be able to relax your mind and be present on your trip. Be intentional about this step of the process before you leave; it might feel overwhelming in the moment, but you’ll be glad you took the time to tidy things up when you return home!

Everyone deserves to experience the trip of their dreams, one they’ve been looking forward to for a lifetime. The planning process can quickly become cumbersome, but the moment you arrive at your destination you’ll have no regrets! Don’t forget to enjoy yourself: kick your feet up or plant them in some hiking boots, and have the time of your life!

No matter what stage you are at in the planning process, Chloe Johnston Experiences is here to help! Do not hesitate to reach out via email at [email protected] or by completing the Contact Us form on our website to get started!

Chloe Johnston Experiences

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The new dream list: 12 once-in-a-lifetime travel goals.

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Northern lights illuminate the sky over the Lofoten Islands, Norway, in early September

Machu Picchu, the Great Wall and the Taj Mahal used to occupy top spots on many people’s bucket lists. But the “bucket list”—a term I’ve always despised—is giving way to a general desire to go big, splurge on an adventure and seek out dream experiences now, because we’ve all been pent up for too long and because we’ve all seen how quickly plans can change, how quickly opportunities might disappear.

Also, for various reasons, visiting places that get millions of visitors each year is less appealing than it used to be. We want to have mind-blowing experiences in mind-blowing places, but without the crowds. The pandemic isn’t finished, overtourism is back, and we don’t want to be part of either. Here’s some better dream fodder.

Rorbuer cabins in the Lofoten island, Nordland

The ends of the earth in a fisherman’s village in Norway

Earlier this year, the high-end travel company Blue Parallel—which began life nearly 20 years ago as the premier experts on South American luxury travel—broadened its horizons. In a very big way: Their new Polar initiatives include the wide-open spaces above or below the 66th parallel. In Norway, that includes immersions into Viking history, private rib boat safaris to Runde Bird Island, hiking and cycling along Geirangerfjord and staying in a fisherman’s cabin in the gorgeous Lofoten archipelago, above the Arctic Circle.

Horses on the beach in front of the villas at NIHI Sumba

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Best covid-19 travel insurance plans, the size and scale of nihi sumba—and the island it’s on.

Routinely—and very deservedly—named the best hotel in the world, NIHI Sumba occupies 500 hectares on a sparsely populated island where local animist traditions have remained largely intact. “It’s an hour east of Bali and from Java, the most populated island on earth, and it’s a completely different island,” says the hotel’s partner and CEO, James McBride. While it started out as a surf destination with a legendary break, it has since grown into a totality of experience, with a herd of 24 horses for rides in the sea, a “spa safari” in which a single couple relaxes all day in a wellness sanctuary, waterfalls, palm trees, organic food that’s grown on site and cooked over fires and plenty of space—“the ultimate dream,” says McBride.

Blue Parallel Polar lands a helicopter on a glacier in Iceland

Heli-hopping on a private tour of Iceland

Blue Parallel Polar is also taking guests to increasingly remote parts of Iceland—far from the crowded Golden Circle and up onto glaciers (and into the Westman Islands, one of the country’s best kept secrets, and scuba diving (brrrr!) in the Silfra fissure, a rift between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia, and home to fascinating cold water marine life.

A ScicSailing gulet along Turkey's Turquoise Coast

Sailing the Turquoise Coast in a Turkish gulet

The word turquoise comes from the old French for “Turkish stone,” but it just as aptly applies to the waters around the country’s southwest coast. A week aboard a traditional Turkish gulet (sailing ship), eating delicious food, sunbathing, swimming and taking in the beautiful, vivid colors of the water is the stuff of pure fantasy. A good way to make it a reality is to book in with ScicsSailing, a company that has been offering no-fuss, all-inclusive voyages in the bays around Bodrum for decades, both for guests who reserve a single cabin about a “comfort” yacht and for those who privately charter a “luxury” one, which has hotel-style amenities.

The Gobi Desert

Adventuring through the Gobi Desert

Riding horses past sacsaoul bushes, black-tailed gazelle and ibex. Mountain biking along ancient desert routes past dramatic canyons and cliffs. Camping in the shadow of the Gobi Altai Mountains and later sleeping in a glamorously done-up yurt. These are a few of the things that spring to mind when thinking of Mongolia’s vast, empty playground. Earthtones, a startup focused on nature-immersive journeys has put together a program that includes all of this and more, such as rides on the desert’s famous Bactrian (two-hump) camels.

An elephant keeper at Reteti

Meeting the women of northern Kenya saving Africa’s elephants

When Katie Rowe founded Reteti in 2016, she brought nine female rangers and keepers from the local community to help care for a growing brood of orphaned elephants. Reteti is unique in that the Samburu women who keep it going are as respected and valued as male elephant keepers are. They’re blazing a trail for women in conservation everywhere, which is one reason the adventure travel company Uncharted sends guests their way. Reteti is open to visitors, who can see the elephants and talk to the keepers while staying in the lovely new Reteti House, an exclusive-use private retreat.

Fernando de Noronha

Diving in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Midway between South America and Africa—meaning far from everything—the hyper-protected Brazilian island went from being an undeveloped military outpost to a natural paradise with strict limits on tourism and a massive commitment to preservation. This is an ecological sanctuary, a place that marine researches use as a control group, in contrast with the developed beaches on the mainland. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip for divers (something Blue Parallel can organize too ), not only for its warm, gin-clear waters and abundant marine life but also for its laid-back Brazilian island vibe.

Hikers pass by a small lake in New Zealand

The ultimate New Zealand soft adventure

The experimental travel company Hiking New Zealand recently put together a 15-day experience that they’re calling New Zealand Uncut. It covers the vast and varied landscapes of both islands as it makes its was from north to south without the rigor and discomforts of, say, the Milford Track. Rather, this is New Zealand for people who don’t camp, a series of day hikes and short walks—from strenuous alpine hikes to beach strolls—in remote areas where the islands’ majesty shines.

A tiger on the prowl in India

A flying tiger safari in Central India

Royal Expeditions is a boutique luxury travel company founded by the Princess of Jodhpur, who was a member of parliament and the minister of culture. The outfit created a flying tiger safari (by Pilatus jet) over the wilderness of central India—Rudyard Kipling’s inspiration for The Jungle Book. On land, naturalist guides show visitors around national parks in open-top vehicles, there’s an option of taking special full-day photography permits, which allow access from sunrise to sunset.

The mountains of Slovenia

Glorious Alpine foraging in Slovenia

An increasingly better known secret, Slovenia is one of the world’s last great forest paradises, full of beautiful places to visit and teeming with delicious things to eat. Wanderlux Journeys’ trip takes guests into Velika Planina, a herdsmen’s settlement place in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps . It’s accessible only by foot or by daytime cable car, making slowing down part of the program. The trip includes chef Bine Volcic (known for his daring zero-waste cuisine at Monstera Bistro in Ljubljana) and renowned forager (yes, this is a thing in Slovenia) Katja Rebolj, and there’s hiking, foraging, a hands-on culinary workshop and a night in a cottage high above the city lights.

A chimpanzee in Greystoke

Off the beaten path in Tanzania

The Serengeti has many selling points, but solitude is not among them. Fortunately, Tanzania is a big country, with a number of game reserves that are still remote and untouched. In the south, there’s Ruaha National Park, the best park you’ve never heard of and Tanzania’s “best-kept wildlife secret”—with an impressive number of elephant and even more lion. The greater Ruaha landscape has one of only six lion populations larger than 1,000 in the world and is now home to some 10% of the planet’s lion. Another corner of Tanzania worth exploring is Mahale National Park on the western border and Greystoke, where visitors can observe wild chimpanzees. Cartology Travel can being either one to life.

Puma tracking in Torres del Paine

Puma tracking in Torres del Paine, Chile

Southern Chile’s top predator, the Patagonian puma, calls Torres del Paine home. Heading out to look for them with wildness tracking professionals—something else offered by Earthtones —adds a new dimension to a trip to this majestic end of the earth. The hikes are accessible, short in duration and light on difficultly, and they’re capped off with star-filled nights in a mountain ecolodge.

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Once in a lifetime trips: 10 journeys you should take

A Once-in-a-lifetime trip means going somewhere that leaves you deeply moved after visiting it. It could be because you are amazed by its grandeur or uniqueness. Usually, these remarkable once-in-a-lifetime trips are extraordinary places that can be difficult to access. These journeys will often bring you to remote or isolated locations.

For example, a cruise in the Galapagos Islands will allow you to spot exotic and fascinating wildlife. At the same time, a voyage to the seventh continent, Antarctica , will offer the chance to see stunning landscapes and witness the immenseness of the polar regions.

Here is our list of once-in-a-lifetime trips you should take in your life.

Once in a lifetime trip - Japan and the Sakura

A trip to Japan is impressive in itself; there are so many great things to experience in Japan, from the delicious food to the kindness of the people. However, it seems like magic is in the air during cherry blossom season or Sakura season. Being in Japan throughout this period is a beautiful feeling and a once-in-a-lifetime trip you will remember.

The whole country is filled with these delicate pink and white flowers from mid-March to early May; the cherry blossoms bloom first in the south and the season in the Tokyo Metropolitan area is about from March 21 st to April 7 th . Be wary of weather as strong winds can blow all the leaves off and end the season more abruptly.

There are many ways to experience this, from admiring iconic landscapes in their flowery décor or simply having a picnic with your loved ones under the trees in a park. Japanese people call this hanami which literally means ‘’to watch the flowers“.

Tokyo ’s Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Kyoto ’s Philosopher’s Walk and Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa are the most famous spots for Sakura viewing in Japan . The latter is my favourite as it is gorgeous, less crowded and admission is free during the Sakura season.

You can find a complete guide on how to get to Japan on points here:

Once in a lifetime trip - Iceland and the northern lights

Iceland is known for its beautiful landscapes that seem out of this world. There are activities you can do in Iceland that are very unique such as scuba diving between two continents or walking on an active volcano. In addition, its location near the Arctic Circle makes it one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.

Going to Iceland to witness the Northern Lights is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and experience. Gazing at the dancing lights and dazzling colours in the skies is spectacular.

The prime time to spot the Northern Lights is during the winter months, from September to April.

Once in a lifetime trip - Egypt and the Pyramids of Gizeh

Ancient Egypt is among the various lists of cradles of civilization; from what we know, the area has an enormous amount of history. There are so many things to see in Egypt , and it’s a destination for all ages.

Indeed, the Pyramids of Gizeh will surprise you with their grandeur. They were built as tombs for the pharaohs of the time and are the last standing monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Pyramids of Gizeh are located just outside the city of Cairo and visiting them is a once-in-a-lifetime trip you will remember. There are also many ways to make it even more memorable such as gazing at them on camelback or from your room at Marriott Mena House , a 5-star hotel with stunning views of the pyramids you can book with points or with your annual free night award certificate .

Rates start around 20,000 points for a garden view room; if you have a status with Marriott , you may get upgraded to a premium room with a view of the pyramids!

You can find a complete guide on how to get to Egypt on points here:

Once in a lifetime trip - Australia and the Great Barrier Reef

Located on the east coast of Queensland in Australia , going snorkelling or scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef is a once-in-a-lifetime trip you should do. This massive coral reef covers a humongous area and harbours an enormous quantity of marine life.

You can choose a day trip or longer live-aboard excursions to discover this place through and out.

There is also the possibility to admire this beautiful wonder without getting wet with the many scenic flights you can take over the reef.

You can find a complete guide on how to travel to Australia on points here:

Once in a lifetime trip - The Maldives and the Overwater Villas

Maybe I shouldn’t generalize this as it’s not everyone who seeks luxury but staying on an overwater villa over simmering turquoise water is a once-in-a-lifetime trip you should experience.

It’s not about the 5-star resort but more about the feeling of being secluded on your little island, in paradise, with stunning views everywhere you look. Then, when you wake up, you can slide the patio door open to have your morning coffee on your deck while spotting the fish in the crystal-clear water underneath. It’s one of those ‘’oh my god“ moments I never knew I needed.

The sunsets are mesmerizing, and it’s one of the best places to experience such a sight. There are also so many properties in the Maldives to offer opportunities to stay on overwater villas with points which make this usually expensive experience affordable:

Once in a lifetime trip - Italy and the Cinque Terre

In terms of charming, picturesque European towns, a visit to Cinque Terre is set to be a memorable journey. Specifically, walking the trail between the five villages is a once-in-a-lifetime trip you should take.

You will be rewarded will stunning views of the sea and gorgeous villages. The Italian culture is also a vibrant one with delicious food and a rich history; try the pesto and the fish in the region; it’s incredible.

You can find a complete guide on how to get to Italy on points here:

Once in a lifetime trip - Africa and Safaris

There are many places in Africa where you can embark on a safari to spot the Big Five, such as Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. There, you can witness some of the world’s most incredible animals in their natural habitat. Going on a safari in Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime trip , and the landscapes are marvellous.

While it seems like an expensive holiday, there are different ways to reduce the cost, simply by doing it yourself. Indeed, some places are easier to maneuver for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, such as South Africa, where you can rent a car and do your own game drive.

You can find a complete guide on how to plan a safari in Africa on points here:

Once in a lifetime trip - Mount Everest

Earth’s highest point, Mount Everest, has always been interesting because it sounds so unreachable. While climbing to the top of the world is something quite dangerous, travelling to the Himalayas to gaze upon Mount Everest from its base camp is a once-in-a-lifetime trip you should take.

There are two base camps you can go to to see the best views of the massif: one is in Nepal and one is in Tibet. The trek requires a 7–10 days commitment, while the latter can be accessed by car and bus. Even though the Tibetan base camp seems easier to reach as you don’t have to exercise much, it is located very remotely in Tibet , where travel logistics can be mind-boggling sometimes.

You can find a complete guide on how to journey to Tibet on points here:

Once in a lifetime trip - The Galapagos Islands

My best memory of my cruise around the Galapagos Islands was the magnificent landscapes and beaches filled with biodiversity. The Galapagos are home to so many unique animals and species, including giant tortoises, that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

You could see masses of wildlife and very little human presence left and right.

You can find a complete guide on how to get to the Galapagos Islands on points here:

Once in a lifetime trip - Antarctica

Polar expeditions, especially to Antarctica , are one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips you should take because it’s an opportunity to discover one of the most remote and isolated locations on the planet.

Antarctica is a continent almost completely covered in ice. Therefore, the landscapes are stunning and unique with all the glaciers, icebergs, snow, etc. In addition, it is home to a wide array of animals, such as penguins, seals, whales and birds. It is fascinating how these animals call Antarctica home, as it is the coldest, windiest and driest place on Earth.

You can find a complete guide on how to get to Antarctica on points here:

Bottom Line

The list of once-in-a-lifetime trips you should take doesn’t end here, as it will vary with your preferences. But the destinations mentioned here are spectacular, unique and unforgettable.

Whether you are an adventure seeker or simply someone who loves to see and taste new things, you should consider one of these places. While they may seem remote and expensive, there’s always a way to explore the planet at a fraction of the cost with points.

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Definition of lifetime noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• a lifetime of experience
• in/during somebody's lifetime His diary was not published during his lifetime.
• in the lifetime of something These spending commitments are not achievable in the lifetime of the present government.
• Memories can last a lifetime .
• He had spent a lifetime trying to please his father.
• The veteran actor was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
• He received a lifetime ban from cycling after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
• After a lifetime as a journalist in the trouble spots of the world, he retired to the country.
• College seems half a lifetime away.
• Christmas feels like a lifetime ago.
• He devoted a lifetime to working with children.
• I've seen many changes during my lifetime.
• It seems a lifetime since we first met.
• It's hard to break the habits of a lifetime.
• Payments are based on expected lifetime income.
• She spent a lifetime in politics.
• That’s more money than I’m likely to make in my entire lifetime.
• The images are part of a lifetime's worth of photographs from Cohen's long career.
• The veteran director won a lifetime achievement award.
• This watch should last you a lifetime.
• You can live a whole lifetime and not witness such an event.
• wisdom gained in the course of a long lifetime
• He has nothing to look forward to but a lifetime of misery.
• Only two volumes of his poetry were published during his lifetime.
• take (somebody)
• achievement
• appointment
• after a lifetime
• during somebody’s lifetime
• in your lifetime
• the habits of a lifetime
• a legend in your own lifetime
• half a lifetime

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

• When she was offered the job she knew it was the chance of a lifetime.
• the trip/experience/opportunity of a lifetime
• It was the holiday of a lifetime!
• She gave the performance of a lifetime.
• For the chance of a lifetime fill in the coupon below and send it to the following address.
• An opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime.
• a once-in-a-lifetime experience
• That sort of thing happens only once in a lifetime.

Nearby words

Meaning of Trip of Your Lifetime by Steeld

"Trip of Your Lifetime" by Steeld appears to be a song about escaping the mundanity and despair of everyday life and embarking on an exciting journey of self-discovery and liberation. The song's lyrics suggest that the narrator is offering the listener an opportunity to experience something extraordinary and life-changing.

The lyrics convey a feeling of anticipation and adventure, encouraging the listener to step out of their comfort zone and explore new possibilities. The line "I can take you to the stars if you like, then we'll float through the skies till we reach the light" suggests a dream-like and otherworldly experience, where the listener can transcend their current circumstances and find joy and happiness.

The song also emphasizes the importance of being open and prepared for this transformative journey. The line "Don't bring anything along, just be prepared" suggests that the listener should let go of their attachments and expectations, allowing themselves to fully embrace the unknown and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Furthermore, the lyrics invite the listener to bring their friends along, symbolizing the idea of shared experiences and the power of camaraderie. The reference to bringing booze and the mention of a party continuing "for a while" adds an element of celebration and excitement, evoking the idea of a carefree and exhilarating adventure.

Overall, "Trip of Your Lifetime" can be interpreted as an anthem of escape and liberation, encouraging listeners to break free from their current circumstances, embrace the unknown, and find joy in the transformative journey that lies ahead.

This meaning interpretation was written by AI. Help improve it with your feedback

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Meaning of trip in English

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trip noun ( JOURNEY )

• You should always check your oil , water and tyres before taking your car on a long trip.
• How about a trip to the zoo this afternoon ?
• She's going on a trip to New York, all expenses paid .
• The travel company has written giving information about the trip.
• He's always going off around the world on business trips, leaving his wife to cope with the babies by herself.
• break-journey
• circumnavigation

trip noun ( FALL )

• collapse under someone's/something's weight
• collapse/fall in a heap idiom
• drop like flies idiom
• knock someone over
• let go idiom
• overbalance
• parachutist
• trip (someone) up

trip noun ( EXPERIENCE )

• abstinence-only
• non-intoxicant
• non-intoxicating
• pill-popping
• solvent abuse
• substance abuse

trip verb ( LOSE BALANCE )

• fall She slipped and fell.
• drop Several apples dropped from the tree.
• collapse Several buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
• crumple He fainted and crumpled into a heap on the floor.
• tumble A huge rock tumbled down the mountain.
• plunge Four of the mountaineers plunged to their deaths when their ropes broke.
• The bowler tripped as he was delivering the ball .
• She tripped and fell over.
• I tripped as I got off the bus .
• She tripped over the rug .
• I tripped on a piece of wire that someone had stretched across the path .

trip verb ( MOVE )

• bowl down/along something
• make good time idiom
• make haste idiom

trip verb ( SWITCH )

• anti-static
• capacitance
• electricity
• high-voltage
• non-electric
• non-electrical
• non-electronic
• solid-state
• transistorized

trip verb ( EXPERIENCE )

Phrasal verb, trip | american dictionary, trip noun [c] ( travel ), trip noun [c] ( experience ), trip verb [i/t] ( lose balance ), trip | business english, examples of trip, collocations with trip.

These are words often used in combination with trip .

Click on a collocation to see more examples of it.

Translations of trip

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Word of the Day

doggie day care

a place where owners can leave their dogs when they are at work or away from home in the daytime, or the care the dogs receive when they are there

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• trip (JOURNEY)
• trip (FALL)
• trip (EXPERIENCE)
• guilt/power/ego trip
• trip (LOSE BALANCE)
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• trip (TRAVEL)
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A disabled woman planned a 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip to Disney World. Then the park changed its disability policy.

• Disney has revised its Disability Access Service program for theme park guests.
• The updated policy came as some guests attempted to exploit the service.
• But a coalition of people with disabilities says the new policy does more harm than good.

Savannah spent nine weeks and thousands of dollars planning her family's trip to Walt Disney World .

"For me and my husband, this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip," Savannah, 36, told Business Insider.

It wasn't a simple process for the Indiana-based couple, who planned to travel with Savannah's 72-year-old mother. They had to ensure that Savannah, a lifelong Disney fan, could navigate the sprawling theme parks as someone with a physical disability.

"I have had physical issues for the last 10 years that have prevented me from doing a lot of things," she said.

Doctors discovered that Savannah — who asked that her last name not be published for health privacy reasons — had an os trigonum , which is an extra bone found in the back of the ankle, around 2013. Savannah had accidentally broken the os trigonum while running one day and didn't receive medical treatment for eight months.

The incident has continued to cause her pain and affect her mobility. She's undergone 16 surgeries since she was 17, including 12 surgeries on her ankles. Most recently, she underwent a subtalar fusion procedure in August after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 15 months ago.

Savannah had accepted that a Disney World vacation wasn't feasible until her physical therapist told her about Disney's Disability Access Service , which allowed guests who could not stand in line due to a disability to schedule rides in advance and then wait somewhere else until it's their turn.

Savannah doesn't lack full mobility but would need frequent breaks to navigate Disney World, so the service sounded like a good solution. She and her husband went ahead and booked a vacation for May 20.

"I got that glimmer of hope again," Savannah said. "Everything finally lined up, and I was sitting on cloud nine. Then, Disney dropped that bombshell."

Disney's new disability policy

The bombshell: Disney announced earlier this month that it would revise its Disability Access Service policy.

Disney's policy previously allowed anyone who had "difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability" to participate in the program, according to Fox Business .

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Now, the service is more narrow, accommodating "only those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time."

Disney's policy change was, in part, an attempt to prevent able-bodied guests from exploiting the service. A Disney spokesperson told BI last year that there's been an increase in people misusing the service to skip lines and avoid crowds. Disability services are now the most requested service at the California and Florida parks, according to The Washington Post .

"Disney is dedicated to providing a great experience for all Guests, including those with disabilities, which is why we are so committed to delivering a wide range of innovative support services aimed at helping our Guests with disabilities have a wonderful time when visiting our theme parks," a Disneyland spokesperson said in a statement.

The Disneyland and Disney World websites include information for individuals with disabilities across different categories, including mobility.

One alternative for Savannah is the Rider Switch service, which allows one adult to wait with non-riders while the remaining group members enjoy the attraction. When the guests return from the attraction, they can swap places with the waiting adult, who will be allowed to board the attraction without waiting in line again.

But Savannah said the Rider Switch service isn't a good fit for her because she intends to explore the park with her husband, meaning her mother would have to stand in the lines. "Does she really need to stand in a line for 75 minutes for me while I sit isolated from my group?" Savannah said.

Disabled fans accuse Disney of discrimination

Now, Savannah and more than 140 others are calling the revised policy discriminatory.

In a formal letter addressed to Disney's top brass — including CEO Bob Iger — the coalition pointed to cancer patients, narcoleptics, veterans with PTSD, individuals with Parkinson's disease, and other groups as people now excluded from Disability Access Services.

"Punishing disabled individuals for the actions of able-bodied individuals who abuse the system is not a solution," the letter reads. "These changes fail to adequately address abuse; people who abuse the system will still lie."

Savannah told BI that the changes have inadvertently pushed a harmful narrative about who is "disabled enough" to qualify. "You're not the right kind of disabled and you don't matter. That's the way that Disney is portraying that," she said.

She and her husband have already saved $4,000 and collected around $400 in gift cards to cover their vacation costs. However, the policy changes — scheduled to go into effect the first day of their Disney vacation — have upended everything.

"I've invested all of this money that you're not going to give me back if I can't physically go," Savannah said. "What does that look like for me? It did not feel like the Disney that I have heard so many good things about."

Savannah added that had she and her husband known about the policy changes ahead of time, they wouldn't have spent their time or money on Disney.

"I absolutely would not have gone to Disney. I would not have chosen to spend my money there. I would have spent my money at Universal [Studios], where they still treat me like a person," Savannah said.

Watch: DeSantis vs. Disney: Who are the winners and losers?

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What does 'Sapphic' mean? An ancient term is having a modern moment

When people look at images captured by Ty Busey, the photographer says she wants them to know that the pictures and films were captured by a queer woman. Drawing on Renaissance paintings as inspiration, Busey poses her subjects, who are LGBTQ women and nonbinary people, with halos and textured backgrounds in lounging postures. She describes her artistic eye in one word: “Sapphic.”

The term derives from Sappho, a lyrical poet who lived in ancient Greece and created verses about pursuing women lovers that were rich in sensuality and nostalgia — and even libertine at times.

The style of Busey’s work is a fitting way to rectify its namesake’s historical legacy. In the hundreds of years after her death around 570 B.C.E., Sappho was often portrayed in art as heterosexual when her own poetry said otherwise.

When asked what she hopes viewers take away from her visuals, Busey said, “I want the person watching the video to be like, ‘Yes, this is what it feels like to be with a woman.’”

Busey, a Maryland resident who has identified as a lesbian since she was a teenager, first learned about the label “Sapphic” on TikTok in 2021. In the years since she’s embraced the term, it has abounded, appearing on social media meme pages , as a literary genre , as a descriptor for events in brick and mortar spaces and even as a noun for self-identification.

Over two-and-a-half millennia removed from its namesake, the term Sapphic does not have a precise definition that’s agreed upon by all of those who currently embrace it. However, its current use is generally as an umbrella term for lesbians, bisexuals, pansexuals and other women-loving women, and for transgender and nonbinary people who may not identify as women themselves but align with this spectrum of attraction and community. 

While Sapphic may evoke ancient images of romance, it has a lesser-known political undercurrent: The poet Sappho resisted tyranny in her own era by the military general Pittacus, making her a potent queer symbol during a tenuous time for LGBTQ rights.

A rebirth on the internet

Describing herself as “chronically online,” Tyler Mead, 28, said she learned about the term Sapphic “funnily enough, actually, on the internet.”

As a singer, songwriter and producer under the moniker STORYBOARDS , she came across queer artists like Fletcher using the term. 

“It got me intrigued, and I was like, ‘What does this term mean? What does this mean to them? And, what could it also mean for me?’ Because it’s been a bit of a journey for me of coming out in multiple layers,” Mead said.

In 2018, Mead came out as pansexual, then in 2020 as a trans woman. For the past year, she’s identified as a lesbian and as Sapphic, which she said captures a philosophy of “softness” in her approach to romance and dating. 

“An interesting part of being a trans woman who is Sapphic is that, even before I started transitioning, I always knew that I was attracted to women … but not in a straight way,” Mead, who lives in Los Angeles, said.

The expansiveness of the term, she explained, is a strong draw, adding that she knows people who are trans masculine that use it. 

A songwriter since middle school, Mead not only considers her music Sapphic but sums up her entire “energy” on the bio section of her TikTok profile as: “Sapphic fairy.”

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• A lesbian archive inside a Brooklyn brownstone has documented decades of Sapphic history
• Billie Eilish, Reneé Rapp, Phoebe Bridgers: Queer women finally get their due in music
• 10 trailblazing queer women to celebrate

The word “Sappho” appears to have first emerged digitally in 1987 on an early iteration of an email list, according to Avery Dame-Griff, curator of the Queer Digital History Project . 

The Greek poet, it seems, was the namesake of an English language mailing list for LGBTQ women during a time when email would have only been accessible to those in academic or computer-related fields, according to Dame-Griff. 

A name like Sappho, he explained, would have signaled that the mailing list was for queer women without using a term like “gay” or “lesbian,” which would have drawn unwanted attention. 

Since 2004, the first year for which Google Trends provides search data , the term “Sapphic” peaked in December 2005 before steadily declining for the next 15 years. Since 2020, however, it has been on a steady upward trajectory. 

Perhaps nowhere is the term currently more prominent than social media, where Sappho-themed meme accounts —  Sappho Was Here , Suffering Sappho Memes and Sapphic Sandwich , just to name a few — have amassed tens of thousands of followers on Instagram. And, on TikTok, a wildly popular social media platform among those in the 18-29 demo , the term has been hashtagged over 340,000 times.

Some of those hashtags lead to 26-year-old New Yorker Nina Haines. During the pandemic, Haines said, she was craving queer community. Unable to see LGBTQ friends in person because of Covid, she started posting about Sapphic literature on TikTok in an effort to find connection.

Then, in 2021, Haines founded Sapph-Lit , a book club that today boasts 8,200 members from over 60 countries, with members who identify as queer women and nonbinary people. Her book picks have included modern romances, like Casey McQuiston’s “I Kissed Shara Wheeler,” and classics like Audre Lorde’s “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name.”

“At the end of the day, we really want to prioritize Sapphic literature, because Sapphics have been historically rendered invisible throughout history,” she said. 

For Haines, who has a tattoo of Sappho on her arm, the term Sapphic “captures the women-loving-women experience” in a way that is “rooted in history” and that signals “that we have always been here.”

A historical legacy 

Hailing from the Greek island of Lesbos and living from roughly 630 B.C.E. to 570 B.C.E., what is known of Sappho’s life comes from surviving fragments of her poetry and what was written about her by other ancients, according to Page duBois, the author of 1995’s “ Sappho Is Burning ” and a professor of classics and comparative literature at the University of California, San Diego.

Sappho’s queer legacy, duBois added, emerges from an expression of romantic and sexual desire toward women in her poems, often with a tint of nostalgia.

“They are really lovely and project that kind of world of voluptuous, flower filled, scented eros [desire] directed toward women,” duBois said.

But a passive “pink, romantic Valentine” she was not. “An aggressive pursuer of her lover,” Sappho described intimate memories of a far away, beloved woman, according to duBois. 

“She talks about anointing her with beautiful ointments and putting garlands on her, and satisfying each other on soft beds,” duBois said of Fragment 94 of Sappho’s poetry.

There are contradictory interpretations that Sappho was a schoolteacher, an aristocrat or a hetaira (a sex worker who operated like a courtesan or geisha), and that she was perhaps enslaved. In the Middle Ages and Victorian periods, she was presented as heterosexual in art, portrayed as a forlorn woman who threw herself off a cliff after she was rejected by a ferryman she loved.

Finding a new generation

For the past 100 years, an ever-evolving lexicon — and a debate about the best terms to use — has been a consistent feature of LGBTQ culture. 

As far back as the 1920s, there are examples of “Sapphic” being used to advertise sexual entertainment, like sex shows, performed by women for a male audience. The term Sapphic can also be found in 1930s tabloid headlines , and several lesbian publications in the ‘70s and ‘80s incorporated the word Sappho in their names .

It became more common for women to identify as a “lesbian” in the 1960s, though there were earlier exceptions, according to Cookie Woolner, author of “ The Famous Lady Lovers: Black Women and Queer Desire Before Stonewall .”

Of course, butch, femme, dyke, stud and a host of other terms have been embraced by queer women, each shaped by the communities that created them and the social movements of their time. 

“Maybe in some ways, the terms are changing because it’s about a break from a past generation,” said Woolner, an associate professor of history at the University of Memphis.

Though Woolner and others have noted that there are those who eschew certain terms or identifiers, for one reason or another. Some LGBTQ women, for example, don’t identify with “Sapphic” due to a perceived chasteness and the ancient aura.

For the past three years, Busey has organized a “Sapphic picnic” outside of Washington, D.C. For this year, Busey chose the theme “For the Gods,” an ode to Greek gods and goddesses and conducted a photo shoot to match. 

“There’s something about those ancient photos and the way that they’re all falling on each other — I really love them so much,” she said. “I just want to recapture it specifically with women, especially if I could put a Black woman in there.”

More than 2,500 years after Sappho walked the earth, champions of the term Sapphic see the parallels between finding their own power and the erasure and subsequent embrace of the lyrical poet’s queer identity.

“I see her as this reclamation,” Haines said of Sappho. “As this statement of, ‘No, I actually mean the words that I say, and don’t twist them.’”

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Alex Berg is a freelance on-air host and journalist based in New York City.

The FTC has banned non-compete agreements. What does that mean for workers, the economy and your paycheck?

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The FTC banned non-compete agreements. What does that mean for workers, the economy and your paycheck?

The FTC rule would eliminate a common part of employee contracts for millions in the U.S., one that limits innovation, mobility and wages, experts say.

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The Federal Trade Commission announced a new rule to ban non-compete agreements, an element of employee contracts that prevent workers from leaving to work for competitors, with a new rule that would radically change the U.S. labor market.

Despite the rule facing challenges from business groups –– the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sued the FTC over its authority to ban non-competes –– experts say the impact of the FTC’s decision would be seismic for workers, companies and the economy.

“For me, this is something that is a long time coming and should have happened sooner,” says Samina Karim , professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at Northeastern University. 

“It doesn’t seem that non-competes are necessarily good for firms’ own profitability, it seems that it’s not necessarily good for innovation, it’s certainly not good for employee choice,” Karim adds. “Denying choice usually always leads to bad outcomes.”

The FTC projects that eliminating non-competes will lead to the formation of more than 8,500 new businesses per year, a $524 wage increase per year for the average worker and a $194 billion decrease in health care costs over the next decade. The FTC also says the ban will result in an average increase of 17,000 to 29,000 more patents each year for the next decade.

Non-competes are a common practice in many industries in the U.S. According to the FTC, about 18% of U.S. workers, 30 million people, work under non-competes. These contract clauses usually prohibit employees from working for a competitor within a specific geographic area or a specific time period after they’ve left their current employer.

“In this case, if you ban these non-compete clauses, economic theory predicts wages should go up for workers and we should see more turnover,” says Mindy Marks , an associate professor of economics at Northeastern who specializes in labor economics. “Instead of being locked into their current employer, we should see greater mobility.”

That’s exactly what happened in Hawaii when, in 2015, the state banned non-competes in the tech sector. New-hire wages increased by 4% and mobility by 11%, researchers found . The same study found that, on average, in states with non-competes, tech workers had 8% fewer jobs and 4.6% lower cumulative wages over the course of their careers.

“I have no reason to think that Hawaii is not representative,” Marks says.

According to Marks, the danger of non-competes is they have the potential to create a monopsony, a market environment where there is one buyer with a tremendous amount of power. Similar to a monopoly, this can result in lower wages and worse working conditions, Marks says.

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“In that environment, non-competes help give firms market power, and there are certainly instances where non-compete contracts get drawn in such a way that there is literally one employer you can work for,” Marks says. “I’ve heard stories of hair salons who set up hair salons that say you can’t work for any other [competitor] within a 30-mile radius. That basically forecloses any other potential employer that you may have.”

The arguments for non-competes usually come down to the need for businesses to protect trade secrets or ensure long-term investment in employees is not lost to a competitor. 

But Karim notes there are already plenty of ways for businesses to protect their ideas, from patent laws to non-disclosure agreements. More than 95% of workers with non-competes have also signed an NDA, prohibiting them from sharing information about their employer’s trade secrets even after leaving, according to the FTC.

Karim argues the ban will create more opportunities for innovation, noting that this has already been happening in states like California that don’t support non-competes.

“We see that there’s a lot of innovation there when you give workers choice,” Karim says. “In sectors like biotech, [the ban] will certainly raise the question of when we codify things to have more patent protection, which we think of, in general, as intellectual property rights protection. That might be a little more prevalent, but, again, biotech has been in California for a long time.”

While the wage increases stemming from a non-competes ban will understandably grab headlines, Marks says the benefits of increased mobility for workers should not be underestimated.

“We saw in the COVID recession and recovery that there were wage gains, but the wage gains were really concentrated in people who switched firms, who could take advantage of the dynamism of the labor market and move to locations and industries that are growing and hiring,” Marks says. “Most economists think that worker mobility is a good thing for the economy; it helps it run more smoothly.”

“To me, this feels like a win,” Marks adds.

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14 Common Dream Interpretations and What They Actually Mean

By Audrey Noble

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Dreams can feel stunningly real, leave us shaken, and surprise us with their surreal storylines. But do they actually mean anything? Sigmund Freud, the famed neurologist and founder of modern-day psychoanalysis, had a lot to say about how we might interpret the visual, emotional, and cognitive sensations we experience while asleep. He believed our dreams are actually the disguised representations of our unconscious desires, thoughts, wishes, and motivations. It's a theory is still very much alive today.

“Throughout history, there has been both fascination and debate about what dreams are, what causes them, what they mean, and the benefit they may carry,” wellness astrologer and author of “ The Complete Book of Dreams ” Stephanie Gailing explains. “Since antiquity, they have maintained a very important role in cultures across the globe, revered for their visionary wisdom.”

The act of trying to suss out the possible meaning of dreams can be traced as far back as the ancient Sumerian civilization , when many people used them as prophetic guides and to help them make important decisions. According to Gailing, it wasn't until the early 20th century—and the birth of modern psychology —that dreams were seen as a reflection of the subconscious. Nowadays, it's common to interpret dreams in order to better understand our overall well-being.

Thea Gallagher, PsyD , clinical associate professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health, breaks down dreams, which typically occur in the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage where images or stories play out in our minds, into three types: a pleasant dream with an ideal outcome, one with a less preferred outcome (or oftentimes a bizarre one), and a nightmare. What these dreams mean is personal and can vary; it all depends on the dreamer.

“Dreams can show us things that we are experiencing in waking life but are not acknowledged in our conscious minds,” explains Gailing. “Either because we don’t have space to process them or we don’t want to deal with certain feelings or thoughts.”

Though the interpretation of dreams will be different for everyone, there are universal themes that pop up and are worth looking into if you're trying to figure out what you're own dreams might mean. Consider this your crash course in basic dream analysis—or, a handy little dream dictionary, just for you. Read on for 14 of the most common types of dreams and what they could mean for you.

Dreams of Being Pregnant

Depending on what is going on in your life, being pregnant in a dream can mean totally different things. Gailing says it’s important to look at the details of your dream to help flesh out the overall meaning. You’ll also want to explore how you’re feeling after the dream; she says your emotional reaction can provide insights into what the dream might mean to you personally.

“For example, if you have a dream about being pregnant, and you have been working hard on a creative project, the dream may relate to this period of creativity you are experiencing and how you feel about it,” she explains. “It’s always important to take the dream into context of what is happening in a person’s waking life.”

Dreams of Falling

If you’re dreaming about being in a free fall, Gailing says it could mean that you feel out of control and don’t “have steady footing” in some aspect of your life. On the other end of that spectrum, however, she says that if you find yourself falling in a dream but then start flying, it could represent freedom and trusting the timing of your life.

Dreams of Being Chased

Someone chasing you in your dreams is another sign that you might not feel in control. Gailing says it could signify a couple of different fears, such as concern that someone is out to get you or that you’re avoiding certain responsibilities.

Dreams of Flying

Whether you’re dreaming of flying like a bird or cos-playing your favorite Marvel superhero , Gailing says that the vivid dream of flying symbolizes freedom and a need for adventure. However if the dream turns into you falling as you fly, it could also mean you feel ungrounded. So remember to try to pay attention to what’s going on in the dream and how you feel.

Dreams of Death

An obvious reading, Gailing says, of dreaming about death is that it could signify your internal fear about dying. But here’s another way she says that you can look at it: it could just be giving you a sense that a chapter or situation in your life is coming to an end—and that doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.

Dreams of Your Teeth Falling Out

One of the most common dreams people tend to have is one that involves teeth falling out. Gailing says that there are three main dream interpretations for this. First, it could signify some sort of rebirth and transformation, as you’re releasing something old and making space for something new. The other two are more introspective and could signify feeling some sort of loss of control or internal concerns about how you present in public.

Dreams of Being Late or Missing a Deadline

These habits of tardiness showing up in your dreams usually shows some sort of worry you have internally. Gailing says that it could represent worrying about a lost opportunity or stress around your relationship with time. It could also show that you’re overwhelmed by being overcommitted with responsibilities.

Dreams of Being Naked in Public

Have you recently fallen flat on your face while walking through a crowd? Or accidentally liked an old photo of an ex while on a social media (read: stalking) deep dive? If you’re not one to brush it off and keep it moving, those embarrassed feelings may manifest in dreamland as you sleep. If you find yourself dreaming about being naked in public, Gailing says it’s most likely connected to a recent embarrassing situation you’ve found yourself in.

Dreams of Infidelity

The good news: dreaming of infidelity isn’t necessarily a sign from the universe that you’re with the wrong person or that you’re tapping into some psychic ability to predict the demise of your current relationship. The bad news: you might be dealing with trust issues in general and operating from a place of fear. Both Gallagher and Gailing say that if you’re not feeling secure or have been betrayed in the past , it’s normal to have those subconscious feelings of distrust creep up. Maybe you’re having this dream because a partner has cheated on you in the past or you’re scared something will ruin a beautiful current connection. Just remember, it’s important to ground yourself rather than lash out over this particular dream.

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By Kiana Murden

“Relationships are one [thing] that can conjure up a lot of uncertainty because we don’t know…there’s so many things that could happen in a relationship,” says Gallagher. “I think if it’s really something that has no evidence based in the present, it’s about saying ‘I got to live my life’ and engage with this without knowing every possible outcome.”

Dreams of Phobias

No one wants to see insects, snakes, or any sort of creature they’re afraid of while they’re sleeping. So why is your unconscious mind doing you dirty in your dreams? Gailing says that if you’re dreaming of your phobias, you’re most likely afraid of not having control in some situation in your life. “[You’re] face to face with something that haunts or scares you,” she says.

She adds that certain animals and what those animals are doing represent different types of fears. For example, a snake in your dream shedding its skin could mean you are going through a transformation or releasing an old version of yourself that no longer suits your current timeline. A rat, on the other hand, could reflect that you’re hiding or shunning something.

Dreams of Your Ex

Don’t let the TikTok tarot cards fool you: a dream about your ex isn’t their way of manifesting you back into their lives. So before you undo all that healing by breaking the “no contact rule,” both Gailing and Thea want you to take a step back and evaluate your feelings surrounding that dream. “Were you thrilled, horrified, or puzzled that your ex starred in your dream? Also, what’s your relationship with your ex? Do you never want to see them again [or] do you pine for them? Do you regret or feel shame that you broke up ? The context is super important here in understanding what the dream is revealing,” says Gailing.

Once you process your feelings about the dream (and your ex), you can then determine whether or not you're harboring any unresolved emotions about the relationship. Gallagher says it’s normal to think about people in your past who you’ve had a significant relationship with, but it doesn’t always have to a deeper meaning about the specific person. “What do you want to do about [the dream]?” asks Gallagher. “Sometimes people struggle with ‘I regret that I broke up with this person’ or ‘I feel sadness that they cheated on me.’ [They also think], ‘I just feel like it was the wrong time, wrong place, and what could have been.’ I think processing those feelings is really important with our relationships.”

Dreams that Feel Like a Premonition

Better known as precognitive dreams, Gailing says, “These are the ones in which you dream of an event that has yet to occur, only for it to happen later. Some people [believe] that they are able to foretell the future through their dreams while others don’t sense that their dreams are precognitive until after an event that they dreamed about occurs.”

But not every dream is a precognitive dream and you shouldn’t live in fear thinking you’ve predicted your future every time you sleep. Instead, she says to just take note of times when your dreams come into fruition and  “Embrace the power of [your] intuition and ability to hone in on subtle perceptions of awareness,” she says. In other words, this is a great way to “further develop this skill.”

Gallagher agrees and says to have fun with it. “It doesn’t have to be that serious or deep,” she says. “I think [it] could be something that’s kind of neat and fun. [It could] sometimes make us feel connected to a greater sense of our consciousness.”

Dreams of Seeing a Loved One Who Has Passed Away

When Gallagher’s sister passed and visited her in a dream, Gallagher says she focused on the fact that it gave her a chance to create another memory with a person she misses dearly instead of trying to figure out whether her sister was sending her a message from the great beyond. This is something she encourages others to do as well. “Sometimes it's really nice to have that experience where you maybe connect with someone you've lost in a dream,” she says. “It was such a beautiful experience to have this kind of dream with my sister in it.”

If you’re feeling anxious or stressed after being visited by a lost loved one in your dreams, Gallagher recommends working through those feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. It might prove to be a meaningful moment of reflection and insight. “Dreams reflect things in our lives that are very much connected to strong emotions; it's no surprise that sometimes those will show up in our dreams,” she says. “I think that can be a beautiful thing.”

While not pleasant, nightmares can clue you in to any unresolved emotional conflicts that you might be carrying around. “[They] shine a light on what it is you are fearful of,” says Gailing. “They give us the opportunity to process unprocessed feelings.”

For the most part, you don’t have to be too concerned with having a nightmare. But Gallagher says that if you’re having recurring dreams of a traumatic event that has happened to you, you should seek out professional help to work through it. “It’s a clinical symptom,” she explains. “[A recurring nightmare about a traumatic event] could be indicating that you have some ‘unfinished business’ that you have to process, which is really important in healing from PTSD.”

If it’s a nightmare that you’re scared will come true, she says it’s normal to feel a bit uneasy. But she encourages you to speak with someone so that the fears don't affect how you live out your personal life.

Both Gailing and Gallagher encourage those interested in interpreting their own dreams to keep a dream journal ; this will help recall the dreams and make sense of what they might mean to you in the present moment. It might just prove to be emotionally helpful, as well. “A dream journal offers you a deeper level of understanding about yourself and/or the world around you,” explains Gailing. “Even if a dream is full of fancy or nothing more than a recounting of the day’s events…I think that opening up to our dreams can leave us in awe and inspire us to feel more awe at the complexity and mystery of life.”

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Taylor Swift Sings ‘My Husband Is Cheating’ on ‘Fortnight’ with Post Malone

The Tortured Poets Department is now open. Taylor Swift begins her long-awaited new album with a Post Malone collaboration, “Fortnight,” which not only kicks off the track list but also serves as the lead single.

In the lyrics, Swift sings about a romance that was short-lived but affected her deeply (and continues to, as her former lover moves on). She sings, “And I love you it’s ruining my life / I touched you for only a fortnight” in one line, and “Your wife waters flowers. I wanna kill her,” in another.

While fans are anticipating Swift will reflect on her past relationships with Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy on this project, it’s possible she and Malone are taking artistic license here as she sings about a wayward spouse. “My husband is cheating. I wanna kill him,” one lyric goes. As Swift said while writing folklore , “The lines between fantasy and reality blur and the boundaries between truth and fiction become almost indescribable.” Is that the case here?

She also seems to reference the fact that she stopped drinking ahead of the Eras Tour with the lyric, “I was a functioning alcoholic / ’Til nobody noticed my new aesthetic.” Swift told TIME last year, “Doing that show with a hangover, I don’t want to know that world.”

Swift later revealed what inspired “Fortnight” to Amazon Music . “‘Fortnight’ is a song that exhibits a lot of the common themes that run throughout this album,” she began. “One of which being fatalism—longing, pining away, lost dream. I think that it’s a very fatalistic album in that there are lots of very dramatic lines about life or death. ‘I love you, it’s ruining my life.’ These are very hyperbolic, dramatic things to say. It’s that kind of album.”

Listen to “Fortnight” and read the full lyrics below, courtesy of Genius .

I was s’posed to be sent away But they forgot to come and get me I was a functioning alcoholic ’Til nobody noticed my new aesthetic All of this to say, I hope you’re okay But you’re the reason And no one here’s to blame But what about your quiet treason? And for a fortnight there we were forever running ’Til you sometimes ask about the weather Now you’re in my backyard turned into good neighbors Your wife waters flowers, I want to kill her All my mornings are Monday stuck in an endless February I took the miracle move on drug, the effects were temporary And I love you, it’s ruining my life I love you, it’s ruining my life I touched you for only a fortnight I touched you, but I touched you And for a fortnight there we were forever runnin' ’Til you sometimes ask about the weather Now you’re in my backyard, turned into good neighbors Your wife waters flowers, I want to kill her And for a fortnight there we were together running ’Til you sometimes come and tug my sweater Now you're at the mailbox turned into good neighbors My husband is cheating, I want to kill him I love you, it’s ruining my life I love you, it’s ruining my life I touched you for only a fortnight I touched you, I touched you I love you, it’s ruining my life I love you, it’s ruining my life I touched you for only a fortnight I touched you, I touched you I call you up but you won’t pick up Another fortnight lost in America Move to Florida, buy the car you want (Car you want) But it won't start up ’til you touch, touch, touch me I call you up but you won’t pick up Another fortnight lost in America Move to Florida, buy the car you want But it won’t start up ’til I touch, touch, touch you

This post has been updated with Swift’s comments on what inspired “Fortnight.”

A Guide to Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department

Why Joe Alwyn Didn’t Talk About Dating Taylor

The Unexpected Reference in Taylor's ‘Florida!!!’

Who’s Taylor Swift’s ‘Down Bad’ About?

Are Taylor’s ‘The Albatross’ Lyrics About Travis?

All the Easter Eggs in the ‘Fortnight’ Music Video

What Taylor’s ‘Cassandra’ Lyrics Mean

‘I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can),’ Explained

Taylor Explores Breakup in ‘How Did It End?’

Taylor Asks: ‘Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?’

What Taylor Swift’s ‘The Black Dog’ Is About

Taylor Swift’s ‘imgonnagetyouback,’ Explained

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Ellen DeGeneres claims she was ‘kicked out’ of Hollywood for ‘being too mean’

Ellen DeGeneres has made some wild claims about the scandal she faced in 2020 that led to the demise of her career.

Star’s red carpet debut with new girlfriend

Young girl from Taylor’s Aussie concert dies

Star sparks debate after wild confession

Ellen DeGeneres’ new stand-up routine includes a bit about getting booted from Hollywood for being “mean” after her 2020 toxic workplace scandal.

The former Ellen DeGeneres Show host, who performed in West Hollywood on Wednesday, complained to viewers that she was “kicked out of show businesses” not once but twice, People reports .

“There’s no mean people in show business. The ‘be kind’ girl wasn’t kind,” DeGeneres, 66, said on stage during her new tour.

“I became this one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps. Do you know how hard it is to dance up steps? Would a mean person dance up steps? Had I ended my show by saying, ‘Go f**k yourself,’ people would’ve been pleasantly surprised.”

The Finding Dory voice actor reminded viewers that she also got the boot from TV when she came out as gay, thus ending her eponymous sitcom Ellen in the late ’90s.

“Eventually they’re going to kick me out for a third time because I’m mean, old, and gay,” she quipped.

DeGeneres experienced her second fall from grace in 2020 when she was accused of leading a toxic workplace, which resulted in the firing of three of her top producers.

Employees came forward and accused DeGeneres of leading the set with intimidation, racism and fear. A producer on an Australian morning show who had been on the set even claimed the comedian demanded no one make eye contact with her.

“I’m giving stuff away … and I danced, then I was mean and they didn’t like me again,” she said during her performance.

“It’s been such a toll on my ego and my self-esteem. There’s such extremes in this business, people either love you and idolise you or they hate you, and those people somehow are louder.”

Warner Bros. cancelled the celebrity-filled talk show in 2022 following the controversy.

“This was a whole different thing,” she replied to a fan at the end of the set when she launched into an informal conversation with attendees. “This was like, ‘What is going on?’ It was so hurtful. I couldn’t gain perspective.

“I couldn’t do anything to make myself understand that it wasn’t personal,” she continued. “I just thought, ‘Well this is not the way I wanted to end my career, but this is the way it’s ending.’”

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“I just hated the way the show ended,” she shared. “I love that show so much and I just hated that the last time people would see me is that way.”

DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, admitted during the event they both laid low in the aftermath because it was hard on both of them, but now they’re ready to get back to living.

“It’s hard to dance when you’re crying,” DeGeneres told an audience member. “But I am dancing now.”

Days after publicly coming out as queer, actress Sophia Bush has stepped out for her first red carpet event with her new girlfriend.

A young girl who made one of the most special moments of Taylor Swift’s Australian tour has died, just weeks after meeting the superstar.

Lily Allen has divided social after she made a wild confession about how she flies with her young kids.