Refreshment Time

/ Ann Coleman

Sometimes I think the best part of any vacation is simply the chance to take a break from our usual routines and obligations, and to leave behind the stress and worry that normally takes up far to much of our attention and energy.  Especially if we have the good sense to actually disconnect from our regular lives by not keeping up with our emails, texts and whatever other form of social media we are in the habit of using.

Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes I have a hard time even remembering all the stuff I’m supposed to be worried about, never mind trying to actually deal with all those problems.  Add in the usual busy schedule, caring for the family and friends who need it, and the constant onslaught of negative news, and it’s no wonder that my tiny mind really does struggle to keep up with it all.  And believe me, I know there are many, many others whose lives are far more complicated than mine.

Which is why taking a break from it all every now and then is so very important.  It’s amazing what a little time spent “off the grid” can do to restore our souls and remind us that life is so much more than a check list of duties and goals that needs to be completed.

IMG_5250Vacations allow us to leave all those worries, schedules and obligations behind, for a least a little while.  More importantly, they give us the time to reconnect with our true selves, and if we’re lucky, with the people in our lives who matter the most.  And it doesn’t matter if our vacation is long and expensive or short and cheap, as long as we disconnect from our usual routines and spend the time doing something that truly makes us happy.  Even taking a long walk in a park or sitting in the sun in our own back yard, happily reading a favorite book can count as a vacation if we need it to.  “Stop and smell the roses” is more than just a cliche.

I believe that all of us need a little time off now and then, so we can have the opportunity to listen to our hearts and be reminded of who we really are.  It’s far too easy to get so caught up in the frantic pace of our daily lives that we put our minds “in neutral” and spend our days doing little more than completing whatever task is in front of us and then quickly moving on to the next one.  But that’s not what life is supposed to be, at least not all the time.

One of my favorite literary characters is fond of saying, “Life is for the living.”  And I couldn’t agree more…..

76 thoughts on “Refreshment Time”

  5. Very well said, Ann. I think the world now is much more frantic and demanding than even 20 years ago. We have the Internet and the media barrage to thank, but there’s also the human tendency to absorb as much as is thrown at us and continue to seek more. As you mentioned, it doesn’t have to be a fancy getaway, just anything to disconnect from the chaos!

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  10. Thanks Ann for that great piece. As MSD is in front of my house digging up the street and pipes and we have no water, your piece reminds me to not stress over the little stuff.

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  11. Pure so right, Ann. Sometimes we just need to walk away from routine so that we can deal with routine when we’re back into it. Not all routine is bad. But smelling the roses or at least taking the time to do so is good for the body and the mind. Hope you had a great trip!!

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    • Thanks, George, I really did! The trip was great, but what was even better was just the chance to step out of my normal life for a little while. It gave me some great perspective, and a much-needed rest.

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  14. Only when on vacation can we leave truly everything behind, such as appointments, family obligations, chores and the endless to-do lists. Your break helped to recharge your internal battery and see the day-to-day life in a new light, Ann! Welcome back!

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  15. Excellent post and I couldn’t agree more. I find on the first few days of holiday (Brit speak for vocation) my mind is still whirring away. Then suddenly it calms down as if the ‘busy-ness tape’ has broken. I then discover some old interest or hobby and do something creative such as photography or writing. Life is indeed for living and living is for being!

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    • I’m the same way….it takes me a little while to really “unplug.” But when I do, it is so worth it. Vacations (or holidays, I actually like that word better!) are so good for us. I think that’s why I like to read so much. When I don’t have time to actually get away, I can “visit” another world by losing myself in a good story.

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  16. I just returned from vacation and I do feel refreshed. It was the first time in months that I met my “sleep goal”! Anyway I ignored my work emails and will have to sort through 200+ when I get back to work. That alone makes me look forward to retiring at the end of the month.

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    • Remember when we actually believed that technology would always make our lives easier? The truth is, sometimes it does, and sometimes it makes it harder! Still, I’m glad you had a little break and feel refreshed..that will help you deal with those emails. That, and the happy prospect of your upcoming retirement!

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  18. Ann, I appreciate your blog so much! You put so many things in perspective. I got away for 5 days last week and wrote about it for this week’s blog…getting a bit annoyed that I didn’t “do it right.” You reminded me that “right” is not the thing. Just entering into whatever is can be the purpose all in itself. Thank you!

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    • Exactly! There is no “right.” It was your break, so you were free to spend it exactly as you wished. I do enjoy your blog as well, by the way!
      PS: have you ever thought about tying your Gravatar to your blog? That way, if someone likes your comment, they can just click on your name or photo and they will be directed to your blog.

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  19. For most things sentient a pause is a must in between the sensations of it all. Not everyone is fortunate to have the leisure of vacations at opportune times, but once in a while all of us must push ourselves into unwinding by travelling.

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    • I agree! We all need breaks, but we aren’t all in the position to actually take a vacation when we need it the most. Those are the times when just a walk alone, or a few hours reading a book, or simply doing something we enjoy all by ourselves has to be enough. Fortunately, those times really can be quite refreshing and soothing to our souls, I believe.

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    • Thank you, Ali! I agree, a staycation can be just as restorative as physically “getting away,” and sometimes even more so. We all need to take a break now and then, any way we can.

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  21. My favorite mini-vacation is to hike, in a group or often alone. Resets my mind, causes me to breathe deep, and helps me to sleep at night. I have to do this quite often, these days…Lol!

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  22. I am happy you had the chance to refresh, Ann. After a long getaway, I actually look forward to getting home and resuming my day-to-day routines. I hope that you are feeling less stress and being more productive, now that you are back home.

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    • That’s exactly what happened, Joe. I was glad to be back in my own house, happy to see my friends and family again and happy to walk the shelter dogs. Sometimes, we just need to get away from things for a little while in order to appreciate them. Even the things that were stressful before now seem quite doable!

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  25. Very true. I could do with a little break, some time ‘off the grid’, or even just a brief change of scenery to get away from things for a while as I’m starting to feel overwhelmed. This post is a brilliant reminder of just how important it is to unplug & recharge!
    Caz xx

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    • Thank you, Caz! I think it really is so very important to unplug any way we can. Sometimes we can’t actually “get away” but we can always find a little time to unplug and immerse ourselves in something that we truly enjoy. As long as we feel refreshed and recharged, then that counts as a vacation!

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  26. Ann, what a skip my heart gave when your blog came up on my reader! Lovely to have you back! Was the vacation everything you hoped for? My own short 3 day break away from home begins tomorrow and I fully intend to savour every little bend and bounce with joy.
    I just loved the picture😄. I have been thinking of getting some new roses in and there you come with that pic! I think it’s a sign to go ahead😊

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    • Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I hope you enjoy your vacation and that you come back feeling truly refreshed. Our souls need that from time to time. As for the roses, I saw them on my trip and took the photo because they were so beautiful. I think you should definitely plant some new rose bushes!!!

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  28. I couldn’t agree more, Ann! There are actually hotels that offer taking all your electronic devices off you and keep them in a safe to ensure that you’re really stay off the grid. It’s the best thing we can do from time to time but it gets harder and harder to remind ourselves.

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    • What a fantastic idea! Because it’s so easy to say, “I’m not going to check my texts or emails,” but then we hear that little “ding” that means we have a new one, and it’s so hard not to look. Better just to hand our electronics over and be done with it!

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      • I’ve recently heard that that little “ding” floods our brains with exactly the same chemicals than drugs – no wonder that so many people are glued to their phones – they’ve become proper addicts!!

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          • It is very sad, Ann. And dangerous as well: There was a piece on the news here yesterday that a little boy drowned in lake while his friend was crying for help but none of the adults on the beach paid any attention – they were all bowed over the phones!! This obsession really has to stop! 😦

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            • It is, Ann. And yes, he could have easily been saved. 😯 I don’t like what’s becoming of this world I have to admit. People get estranged from real life and they do it willingly. It frightens me when I think of what societies might look like in 10, 20 or 30 years.

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  30. I couldn’t agree more-We must escape this modern madness or else we are bound to suffer. Ann, I make this a daikly priority-just a while without complicated thoughts helps me. Go well my friend and in peace. love Michele

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    • That’s a good practice, Michele, and one I think I’ll copy. And you know, one of the things I love most about your posts is the pace of them….they are in real life, and you focus on one thing at a time. I think that is why they are soothing to your readers as well!

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  32. I’m glad you were able to “stop and smell the roses.” I love that saying, because I love roses, but also because of the sentiment. We need to pause and enjoy the sweetness of life. Lovely post as always! 🙂

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