Last week, I took four days away from the city for solitude and resting.
AND IT WAS GLORIOUS.
I went to my favorite place on the lake. My sacred space that instantly calms and comforts my spirit. It’s mostly a summer beach town, but in the winter, it’s empty and slow and you’ll only see the folks who live and work year-round in the town. Which, really, is absolute perfection for a solitude trip.
Four days of sleeping, walking, eating at my favorite places, catching up on TV, late afternoon coffee, room service, reading. SO GOOD. If not for my loved ones, and my beloved city, my great job, my nieces, it’s possible I might have stayed in that hotel room on the lake for possibly ever.
I don’t usually take space just for myself like this — travel is usually best with my husband, or reserved for work, but after a VERY busy fall with loads of activities and lots of spent-people-energy and without a lot of space for recovery, i needed this.
NOTE: I’m an extrovert. Solitude isn’t necessarily in my nature, or my first reaction. But, I’ve found that it’s crucial for my emotional health. Time alone restores, relaxes, refills.
While away, I noticed my reaction toward filling time, all the time. specifically, I noticed that while I was in between activities (driving, waiting for lunch) my mind INSTANTLY went to what else I could be doing. I should text my husband, read a few chapters, get gas. I had to fight REALLY hard to stop the pattern, to reprogram my mind to sit still, look around, DO NOTHING, breathe. Enjoy.
Also, in the hustle of everyday life, I assume a fast paced, full life is who I am, my preferred speed. But, when I was slow, without an overscheduled day, I felt pretty dang happy. Giddy, really. I felt calmer, clear-minded, more myself. Maybe I’ve talked myself into a busy life. NOTED.
I paid attention to my body. I knew when I was hungry, tired, over-caffeinated. Without distractions, my body became my primary focus. It felt odd to be so in tune with my body. Because in everyday life — tasks and pace of life take over and the needs of my body take a backseat.
One afternoon, I got a massage. afterwards, I asked the therapist how my neck felt. TIGHT, she said. I asked what I could do to eliminate that day-to-day. Her reply was kind, but really, I knew what she was thinking — has no one told you? CALM DOWN. SIT STRAIGHT. STRESS LESS. Got it.
I’m home now. Back to life, back to the hustle. More mindful of my body and my posture, and my pace, and my patience, and those who matter most around me. I’ll carry the gifts of solitude and the lake in my heart, knowing that I’m different and better because of the time.
