No Need To Trip About Trips (Vacation Isn’t Optional)
I’m not someone who takes breaks easily.
My tendency is to keep moving, even when life feels overloaded.
I still show up. I still do the things I’ve committed to.
But I start quietly pulling back from visibility.
Less posting. Less emailing. Less connecting.
Maybe you can relate?
Recently, I took a few much-needed days off with my family and escaped to Tofino — a tiny surf town tucked away on the west side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
We stayed at the cutest, quirkiest 70s-themed spot called Hotel Zed.
It had a mini disco, a tarot card room, an amazing coffee shop (thank goodness), and an arcade hidden behind a secret bookshelf. (Yep, really!)
You pull out a book and — ta-da — the wall opens.
I was ridiculously proud of myself for making it to level four of Ms. Pac-Man after all these years.
Of course, I made full use of the giant sauna, the hot tub, and the beach access right across the street.
It was heaven.
We lucked out with sunshine which is a rare occurrence since Tofino usually has a steady rainforest drizzle.
Between the perfect weather, the incredible food (shoutout to Wolf in the Fog and Tacofino), biking from beach to beach, and best of all being completely laptop-free.
The whole trip felt like a dream.
A true reset.
But the most important part wasn’t just the trip itself, it was the commitment to fully step away.
No work.
No emails.
No trying to sneak in "just one little thing."
(And trust me — that's not easy for me.)
What I’m learning (again) is this:
Taking a real break is essential, not optional.
Giving yourself permission to step back, breathe, and recharge is part of being strong — not a detour from it.
There was still plenty of activity:
Walking
Paddleboarding
Biking
Stretching back at the hotel
Hot tub and sauna sessions (which definitely count!)
I also thoroughly enjoyed the food.
(Maybe a little too much one night with a heavy dinner and my delicate system not mixing well. Cue 3 a.m. insomnia. Insert eye roll here.)
But honestly?
That indulgence was part of the reset, too.
Coming back has been a little bumpy.
It’s taken me a full week just to put this post together!
But my body feels better. My mind feels clearer.
I can hear my own voice again — and it’s saying:
"Keep moving, but don’t forget to pause when you need it."
If you’ve been feeling the urge to pull back from the noise then do it!
It doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re respecting your energy.
Movement is my set point.
But resting my mind through intentional pausing is the key to the kingdom.
The best advice I can give you right now?
Listen to your body.
Listen to your mind.
Rest. Pause. Reset.
Things will be better.