What if the fastest way to reset your life is hiding in plain sight… right in your backyard, or a short drive from home?
Ok, I confess….I did something for the first time. And the planner in me didn’t even resist.
Friday night after dinner, in a moment of desperation and delight, I made a hotel reservation at the beach for the very next day.
I know that may not sound life altering, but it was for me. Spontaneous is not my word. But when life is coming down hard, sometimes spontaneity is just what the doctor ordered.
Have you ever enjoyed a “stay-cation”? Or taken the day to get away from day to day life?
Call it running away. I call it delicious and life saving. For me, peace arrives the moment I see the water—no sand required.
I just feel like I breathe deeper and fuller when I’m near a body of water. And it’s pretty instantaneous too.
What is the place that brings you the most peace by just being there?
My step-son loves the mountains. And he just finished a 100-mile hike with a group of students on the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California.
We visited him during one stop of the 8-day hike to bring the hikers pizza for dinner. All of them were in their element….just enjoying the simplicity of life in the trails and the camaraderie over camping and hiking in the wilderness.
I even thought the campground was beautiful. But that was also because I knew I was getting back into a car and sleeping in a comfortable bed and a hot shower the next morning. Yeah, camping is not my thing.
But the ocean? Yep, that’s all me.
So my husband and I spent 24 hours at a resort about 30 minutes north from our home. Honestly, we didn’t do that much. We ate great food, took a couple hour walk up the boardwalk and pier, enjoyed a special dinner, and then slept in the next morning.
Nothing crazy. But we felt a world away. And that allowed us to deeply relax, breathe, enjoy one another, and reset.
If you’ve never done this, I highly recommend it. Vacationing in your own backyard brings new perspective. You will see your town/city through a different lens…and experience life in a more relaxed mindset.
I’ll admit that this was not my first time doing this. I think my husband and I have stayed at every single nice hotel that is within the county we live in. It’s taken us 13 years, but we’ve hit them all.
We’ve stayed downtown, inland, on the beach, and even on a golf course….and all of them were so delightful.
Now maybe hotels aren’t your thing (gasp!).
Maybe camping, boating, golfing or something else is what refuels your soul.
Go do it.
I know everything is expensive right now. But don’t let that deter you from some much deserved peace and quiet. And fun!
Life is short.
In 5 years are you really going to look back and wish you didn’t spend the money?
Nope, me either.
So go have fun and enjoy the long days. The smell of the grass and flowers. The star-filled sky. The smell of a campfire. And while you’re at it, you might as well roast marshmallows too!
I know that at times life can feel hectic and stressful, but only if you choose to make it that way.
Remember, you are the one in charge. You are the CEO and creator of your life. So if you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, it’s time to choose something different. Why not start with a little stay-cation?
I promise you it is time and money well spent. And you won’t regret doing it.
And after you reset, you can choose to return to the stress or you can choose differently.
I say, choose joy.
We have the gift of this lifetime to explore, learn, help others, enjoy, and love. Don’t waste a moment of it.
What can you create for your personal stay-cation? Who will join you? Or will you make the time for personal solitude? Whatever it is, don’t put it off. Make the reservation today, call your friends, talk with your spouse. I look forward to hearing all about it!
You can Emerge Positive.
Positively,
deanne
