How I Heal

Each year, I gift myself a week of healing. A trip for just me. It started in 2019 – I took a trip to the beach and loved every moment of being outdoors and enjoying the sunshine. However, my best memories of that trip were relaxing on a recliner and having no responsibilities. My body hurt. My mind was cluttered. I was just so overwhelmed. It had been a rough season.

I desperately needed a few days away but in reality, I could have gone anywhere that had a recliner.

Like all of us, I’ve had my share of sadness and had problematic people in my life. So since 2019, I escape to the beach every fall for a week and heal – mentally and physically. I put all my anger behind me and forgive all who have hurt me. It’s sort of like my own personal, quirky way to celebrate a new beginning – a Happy New Year celebration in September.

I don’t worry about work or cleaning my house. I eat well. I sleep well. While relaxing, my body and mind feel like they are gelling back together. It’s here where my heart feels most happy and my stress levels are low. My time away makes me calm and whole.

I typically start the week with zero energy. I’m exhausted from the past year but as the days pass, I gain more energy and my new, temporary normal involves a ton of activity. I rest on the recliner a little less and less throughout the week.  

I know a week’s vacation isn’t doable for everyone, but self-care is important and there’s thousands of different ways to make it happen. Maybe my week at the beach alone would be the next person’s worst nightmare?

Maybe he or she would love an afternoon at a coffee shop with friends.

Or maybe the next individual’s idea of healing is sneaking away for an hour to paint a pretty picture?

We’re all different, yet, experience the same highs and lows. It’s a shame people can’t be more open with one another about our internal struggles. We’d all love and understand each other a little more if we knew each other’s pain, I think.

I’ve always felt a little broken, but I didn’t know how broken I was until I began caring for myself and making myself a priority.

I recently learned the phrase “you never know where the angels are until they present themselves.” To me, I find angels in every precious moment of my healing week – and sometimes – when I’ve needed it most – the angels present themselves in the form a comfy recliner.