Why vacation is good for you....duh!

Beautiful girls and an amazing sunset at Indian Rocks Beach
Hello my lovely friends,


It  feels like a million years since I last posted. In fact, I think it may have been. I realized this morning that it has been 6 months since I started this blog. That was when I was on vacation last. 


It seems sad to me that I only find time to do the things that I enjoy when I am on official vacation. I don't know if it's because I make my mind declutter of the everyday junk and I can think more clearly or if it's because I just get bored and miss typing on a computer. :) Either way, I would really like to change that. 


Since we last talked, I have changed positions at work. I loved my position before, but after 2 years of doing it, I was ready for a challenge. So in January, I started the ball rolling on another position in the same department. The last 5 months have been filled with training others and being trained, learning new skills, polishing old ones I haven't used in awhile, and really learning about myself. It has been a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. Needless to say though, my brain has been full of spreadsheets, numbers, facts, and work knowledge and I haven't had much room for creativity. Does that ever happen to any of you? This leaves me feeling dull and uninteresting. I need to create, play with color, paint something, glue something, make a mess of somethings. The problem is, my tired brain hasn't allowed me to do much more than work and care for my family. This is why vacation is good. :)


In my younger days, I viewed vacation as a time to do a million things that I don't normally get to do and would never let myself really rest. I would return to work more tired than when I left! Well, this year at the ripe, old age of 36 (EEK! I admitted it!), I decided I needed to change that. Now don't get me wrong, I did a lot of things on this vacation. That's my nature. The difference is that I also scheduled times to rest and be quiet. That's NOT my nature!


I won't bore you with all the details of my vacation. What is fun to me may sound boring or lame to you. However, I will tell you what I did to make it fun and relaxing. 


When I realized I wasn't going to be able to afford to make a trip to Miami like I wanted to, I started thinking of ways to make my week of vaca fun with the resources I have. I decided to book a few nights at a little mom and pop motel in Indian Rocks Beach (North of St Pete) that is lovely and affordable. The town is small and quaint and there is really not a lot to do but sit on the beach and eat. There's no WiFi in the rooms even! Perfect for a girl who needs to relax and declutter her mind. It was wonderful!


I also made a mental list of all the things that I love to do when I'm not working; reading, taking pictures, thrifting, coloring, sitting on the beach, exploring new places, and napping. I based my activity list around these things and I got to do all of them!


Mr. Thrifty and I spent many hours discovering treasures in the many vintage, antique, and thrift shops on the Gulf Coast. Everywhere we went, there was another little shop full of amazing things. I can't wait to share them with you over the next few blog posts.


I also spent a lot of time just being quiet. On Tuesday, I spent 3 hours on the beach by myself. It was wonderful just to sit and listen to the ocean and just be silent. It was then that I realized how much time I have spent with a cluttered mind and how taxing that has been. I've missed doing the things that truly make me happy and I don't want to wait another 6 months for vacation to do them again. I want to do something everyday that I truly love.


What about you? Do you need a mental/physical/spiritual vacation? You don't have to go away to do it! In fact, I'm finishing off my vacation in my own living room! Set aside some time just for you. Go to a park, mall, library, etc. that you love. Don't answer your phone. Just use it to take pictures or GPS your way to a new restaurant. Be quiet for a whole hour. Read a book that you love or find a new one. Find ways to find beauty in your everyday life. 


Hope that you all find a way to vacation, even if it's in your own living room!


peace, love, and cute shoes~
chrissy



Comments

  1. Love Indian Rocks. Get a donut at Lighthouse Donuts for me.

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    Replies
    1. THat's so funny that you've been to IR, B! When have you been there? We discovered it about 6 or 7 years ago and love it!

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