Now before I am attacked and persecuted for my statement above, let me explain. I recently went on a trip to Florida with my family. This trip included a 13-hour car ride each way and five nights on the beach. We filled our days doing anything and everything that sounded fun. And while those activities such as feeding birds and watching dolphins were fun, my favorite part was doing nothing.

I often took long walks on the beach by myself either in the early morning or at night. These walks, while they do not compare to seeing baby dolphins or getting within inches of a baby giraffe, were my favorite part. And I know many people will think to themselves that hour-long walks have to count as something, I do agree partially but in comparison to everything else we did on this trip, it must not count as much.

These long walks were enjoyable to me for many various reasons, the biggest reason being that they gave me time to think. I am a firm believer that in this day filled with technology from the start of the day to the end, we need time to be without a phone or computer and simply connect with ourselves and check in with our emotions.

Besides the ability to think and digest all my pre-college emotions, these walks gave me time to recharge and be alone. If anyone has ever been on family vacation, they know that patients are on limited supply and sometimes we get annoyed and fed up with family, simply due to close proximity and the amount of time spent together in comparison to a normal week at home.

I was able to be alone and then appreciate my family more after a walk. We also already know that vacation means not eating healthy and not much exercise, therefore these walks helped me to get out and get some exercise. Nevertheless the obvious positive of a beach walk the view.

Family vacations are a great time as well as some much needed alone time.