Be Right Back
The real world is a stressful place. That’s why I’m a firm believer in always making time to regain a little clarity. But now that I work in advertising, finding time for myself is a whole lot easier said than done.
Staying at the office after hours and working on the
weekends has my mind’s power switch perpetually in the on position, leaving me
physically and mentally frazzled more so than I’d thought. So I got to thinking,
what exactly defines that thing we all seemingly need nowadays - a vacation?
Last weekend, Ben and I took a trip up north to the Adirondacks. It’s one of my favorite places because I can truly relax. There’s no cell service, which means no emails, text messages, or Facebook notifications. My iPhone is used more to tell time than it is to hashtag. I even turn it off for most of the day. For some people, the thought of losing this lifeline is unbearable. To me, it’s refreshing and I wish I could do it more often.
Much to my dismay, however, going four hours into the wilderness for a few days can’t happen every weekend. So I find myself paying a lot closer attention to the little things that set me free just long enough for my mind to take the break it needs. Here are some mini vacations that really hit the spot:
- Picking fresh fruits and vegetables on a local farm - Nature’s way of saying, “Look what you’ve been missing.”
- Splurging on a really nice beer - No matter how small, there’s always something to celebrate.
- Cuddling up with a new book (or picking up where you left off in an old one) - Immerse yourself in someone else’s world for a while.
- Having coffee on the porch before everyone else wakes up - It’s like you can just taste the day in that one cup.
- Burying your face in your pet's fur - Hearing their little breaths and smelling their scent warms the heart.
- Biking a new route - Good old-fashioned wind-in-your-hair exploring.
- Taking a hot shower after a long day and sinking into fresh sheets - There’s just something about being that clean that’s inexplicably healing.
- Going out dancing with friends - There is no such thing as looking stupid, just let yourself go.
The list goes on. Some of these things I make a day trip out of. Others are as quick as 15 minutes. When you’re facing a very important deadline, it’s easy to ignore the smell of roses, but give yourself a break. I’ve grown to learn that a vacation doesn’t always have to require a suitcase. It can be whatever you want (and need) it to, just remember to take it. Even if it’s just stepping outside for some fresh air, it’ll make all the difference.