Why hello.

I’m Kaarin Marx Smith. A Life Unpacked is a bi-monthly newsletter for people willing to share in the sometimes uncomfortable, but always authentic — and hopefully powerful — conversations about what we’ll take with us and what we choose to leave behind as we travel the world and the next stage of life. We cover sticky topics like marriage, relationships with adult children and friends, caregiving, living with courage and authenticity as a woman in midlife — and yes, travel.

Let’s Chat

Navigating this life alone can feel overwhelming and lonely. But you’re with friends here, so pour yourself a cup of coffee or glass of wine and grab your bag(gage). We’ll travel across continents and through some of life’s toughest terrain, but we’ll do it together.

To paraphrase the literary and philosophical guru, Dr. Seuss,