This year was the first time I ever actually went on vacation over spring break. I went down to Florida with my mom for a week, where we went to the beach almost everyday and didn't really have a schedule for our vacation. I'm not going to brag about how great my vacation was because I know how it feels when all your friends are going somewhere over break and your stuck at home. I want to share with you the most important thing I got out of my vacation, and that's a reminder that it's completely ok, and sometimes necessary to take a break when life gets hectic. I'm not saying you should go to a tropical destination whenever life gets stressful. What I am saying though, is that it's ok to take time for yourself.
The week before spring break was torture for me and I'm sure it was for most of my peers. It was filled with late nights trying to finish essays and taking midterm exams throughout the week. I remember feeling so overwhelmed and like my life was a mess. But the minute I got to Florida all of my stress went away. I wasn't worried about classes, friend drama, or my job, and I completely forgot about the car trouble I was experiencing before break. All that was on my mind was how great the weather was in Florida compared to the weather they were getting back home in Wisconsin, and what restaurant I wanted to go to for dinner that night. We didn't have a plan for each day, so we spent a lot of time lounging around at the beach, riding our hotel's bikes, and window shopping on the boardwalk. Not having a plan gave me the freedom to be more in tune with my body. On the days we were tired we slept in and caught up on tv shows, and on the days were a little more energetic we explored the city.
Being flexible with our schedule made me realize that I should really listen to my body and mind more. When my body is feeling fatigue I shouldn't push it so hard by working out. If I'm tired my body obviously needs rest, so that's what I should give it. The same goes for my brain. When I'm overwhelmed by things going on in my life I should take some time to check out. For me being in nature helps me forget about everyday life, so the next time I'm struggling emotionally I'm going to tell myself to go outside. I don't need to go on a strenuous hike; just sitting on a swing does wonders for my mind. So the lesson I learned from going on vacation is we all need to give ourselves a break. We need to stop being so hard on ourselves. If we feel overwhelmed we shouldn't be ashamed about taking some time to relax. I know myself best and the same goes for everyone else, so isn't it about time we give ourselves the break we need when we know we need it?
