Please stand if you’re ready for a vacation.

Dear reader please imagine me standing with both arms up; waving frantically from side to side.

Me! Me! Me! Me!

I’m ready!

I’d also then like a vacation from my vacation to literally and figuratively unpack it all.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking my sandals off and planting both feet flat on wet, dewy grass. The sun beamed from up above and I leaned all the way back into the comfort of my lawn chair. It felt good; really good. Similar to the warm embrace of a loved one-deep and satisfying. I closed my eyes and although I wasn’t near any water I could have sworn I heard the waves lapping back and forth.

This moment of calmness: it’s what I needed and what I seek often even when moments are not calm, how else will I ever survive?

Alongside blazing hot evening baths and positive affirmations during early morning commutes I’m back to making lists. Lists for work, lists for Harper and lists for myself in notebooks and post it notes these visual cues to the everyday have literally been keeping me afloat. Group text messages filled with memes, current events and opinions shared along with short visits with those I hold dear has nourished me in ways I could have never imagined.

Although I find myself in a very different place than this time last year, challenges still exist; so does beauty. My goal is to continually seek out the beauty, the peace and calmness whether I’m literally on vacation or not.

How are you dear reader? What have you been doing to stay afloat? Blessings.