staycation : create space for self care
When was the last time you intentionally created a space to relax?
Hopefully, your answer is more recent than, “last summer.”
But if it isn’t, you are not alone!
I got to do a “staycation” (a vacation where you don’t travel) this weekend with a dear friend.
Our trips to Palm Springs for April and Hawaii for May got cancelled, due to covid, so we were thrilled when another dear friend encouraged us to do a staycation at her home.
It was exactly what I needed.
Some of my staycation essentials: a delicious candle and yummy soak from Sonshine Bath, and a good (and educational!) book. Bliss!
Workcation??
In my old life, a vacation (or staycation) has always meant a time away from work to focus on 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 work.
Who can relate?
I’d bring stacks of books to the beach, do my taxes on a plane, work on my dissertation at a wedding (before and after the ceremony, obviously), and even built my website from a ski lodge.
I used to say, “I cant rest until my work is done,” and believe it with all my heart.
That way of life really worked for me, too. People always admired my work ethic + accomplishments.
All of that efficiency went out the window after my brain injury. Suddenly, I could no longer multi task, push through, or work constantly.
I felt like a different person.
I even realized that all of my achievements, my interests, and my productivity couldn’t help me with the ONE THING I needed to do in order to heal: 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁.
Love the caption on this islandy-scented candle: Staycation-it’s not like we have a choice… with banana, coconut, pineapple, tonka, and quarantine 2020
Sometimes I forget that I need rest
This weekend, true to form, I brought a list of things I wanted to “do”:
film exercises and product reviews
write blog posts
take photos
clear out my email inbox
read a couple books
record some meditations
finish up paperwork
publish my newest course.
. . . in three days.
My brain reminded me on Friday morning (in the form of a headache and anxiety) that I needed to rest instead.
So, I took my time getting to my staycation. I watched a silly tv show (all day while snarking with my friend), took naps, gave myself some care, went for a nighttime swim, and decided to catch up on my work on Saturday.
. . . And I’m not the only one!
When Saturday rolled around, I woke up with thoughts of everything I needed to “do.” My friend inspired me by mentioning that she had turned off all of her notifications from work to fully enjoy some time off.
A lightbulb went off in my head.
I’m not the only person who struggles with shutting down “work mode” or who lets a to-do list take precedent over everything else.
I chose to take the time I had set aside for rest, relaxation, and connection, and fully release to it.
It turns out, I really needed to do that.
Today’s mindful minute can help you to do that, too.
mindful minute
Here’s a list of my five favorite things about vacation, if you need inspiration
We all need a reminder to take care of ourselves
Two of the things that helped me to chill out this weekend were gifted to me by Sonshine Bath. I love the candle (it’s so fragrant I felt like I was in Hawaii even without the candle lit!) and kept reading the label over and over (Staycation: its not like we have a choice…).
The mango and coconut milk bath soak (with pink salt, rose petals, and epsom salt) was divine.
I am so grateful to have been gifted these self care items and highly recommend Sonshine Bath!
Check out Sonshine Bath by clicking the button below (this is not an ad, I just want to share the love to a fellow female small business owner).
Thank you for stopping by!
I would love to hear how you are making time for self care!