This is my first week back at work after vacation with my family. We are spoiled in that my dad and stepmom live in a really beautiful locale, and so we can afford to go away for 10 whole days! Ten whole days of beaches and going to the market, enjoying good food and good wine with family and friends. While I was there I was struck with what a contrast this was to my childhood and how grateful I was that our girls got to experience this trip and this break from the day to day. Some years we don't get away, and it really affects my mental health. In fact, I didn't realize just how important vacation was for the soul until I went on a girls trip with one of my best friends a couple years ago. The specifics of what I was dealing with I will leave for another post, but I was going through some reproductive health issues as well as a diagnosis of depression and anxiety at the time. The thought of travelling with how I was feeling actually made me feel really nervous. However, I can say that the benefits of that trip are still paying me dividends two years later in terms of the way it positively affected my mental and physical health, as well as the time and memories I got to share with my friend. During this year while I pause my educational goals I want to focus on enjoying as much vacation as possible, even if the definition of vacation needs to be more broadly defined. Maybe vacation is an afternoon at a nearby lake, or maybe vacation is mini golfing with the kids, or maybe vacation is reading a book on the deck. However vacation looks to you, I hope you get to enjoy as much as possible as well!
-Amanda
