Monday Sanctuary: Mini Vacay to soothe the soul and revitalize those creative juices.

I had my own little writing oasis last weekend.  My DH decided that I’d spent FAR too much time writing, editing, doing beta reads…The list just kept growing and strong-armed me into taking a mini vacation to the beach with the family. 

He told me I could do whatever I wanted at the beach and he’d make sure to make it happen. The only stipulation was I couldn’t write, or talk to him about writing.  I could talk his ears off when we got back, but for those few hours, writing was NOT to come into the picture.

Of course, I grumbled about it, then whined and begged him to just let me stay home.  He could take the kids to the beach.

No go.

I pouted the whole trip, which was only about 45 minutes in length.  Grumbled as I changed into my swimsuit, and ignored him as we stepped out of the condo and onto the beach.

However, the minute I set my daughter on my hip and stepped into the cool waves of the Atlantic and the first wave splashed against our chests and she giggled, I’d forgotten why I was upset.

I spent the rest of the day playing with my daughter, watching her chase the waves back and forth, and watching the rest of my family (BIL, DH, and a girl that BIL was hitting on) frolick in the waves like dolphins. 

I even managed to avoid a sunburn on my perpetually white Irish skin. 

Even after we left the beach and went out to dinner to an AWESOME seafood restaurant my SIL works at, I never once thought about writing. 

I didn’t even OPEN my laptop to write.  I did check my email when I got home, but all thoughts of work were pushed firmly to the side. 

The next morning, I realized my husband was right.  I NEEDED those hours with family.  I was burning out and I didn’t even know it.  We’ve decided that we’re going to do this once a month and I couldn’t be happier. 

Moral of the story:  Take the time for yourself, even when you don’t think you need it.   Take a day once a month that’s dedicated to ANYTHING but writing.  Don’t even think about it.  It’s easier than you think.