Solo Travel for the Soul
I dropped my bag on the floor near the bed, briskly removed my shoes, and in one full body swift motion I soared on to the bed, face down, arms out-stretched, near tears. It would only be 24 hours, but it would be the most necessary 24 hours. A hotel room…. by myself…. the only agenda for the day consisted of a 60 minute massage, a soak in the hot spring at the spa, dinner and wine with my two girlfriends who I met up with at the resort, and to sail off to sleep whenever the hell I felt like it.
After several moments of stillness and slowing my tired lunges to a restful breath, I moved one leg over the bed, followed by the other and proceeded to make my way up to standing. Moving across the floor, my feet carried me at a content pace to the vast windows and glass slider where I drew back the heavy drapes and sheer curtain tucked behind. I exhaled with my shoulders as they freed themselves of weight and worry and laid my eyes on the panoramic landscape that presented itself like a painting outside my glance.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love me a girlfriend getaway, including a late night of dancing, slumber party, and sharing a bathroom while we all get ready simultaneously for a night out! And I TRULY TRULY miss those nights…. Thanks Covid, you ass.
I hadn’t realized how crucial the solo overnight really was until I was face down on that bed suppressing the oncoming waterworks.
The demand and expectation to gracefully navigate the past year of uncertainty and challenge has painfully chipped away at any loitering shred of energy left. Desire and motivation is fleeting, taking confidence along with it. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling like a robot, like there’s no end in sight, or like I’m just going through the motions…. day in and day out.
But I think I just discovered some secret sauce, and I encourage you to allow yourself the opportunity to dip a toe in.
Just imagine…. YOU CAN….
Starfish the whole bed to yourself
Set the room to the exact temp YOU want
Have a no pants party, or better yet, birthday suit party for one
Bring a journal and spend some time writing or goal setting
Pee with the bathroom door wide open and know that no one is walking in to ask you to get them a snack
Quite literally have nothing to do…. There are no dishes, no laundry to fold, no mouths to feed other than your own, which you can fill with chocolate cake at midnight and no one will know.
Watch whatever TF you want, till whatever time you want - hell, you can leave the tv on all night if you feel like it
Drink wine in bed - and no one says you need a glass
Build a fort around you, in bed, with ALL the pillows
Get a room with a big tub that you can soak in for as long as you want - bring a bath bomb or a cbd bomb!
Take an uninterrupted nap in the middle of the day
Enjoy a spa date with yourself
If it’s a pet friendly accommodation, bring your fur baby for pet therapy
Use all the towels for yourself - you won’t be doing the laundry
Get room service and don’t skimp on dessert
Sign up for a yoga class or work out sesh at a local studio if available
Go for a solo hike or walk or maybe even drive somewhere and explore a new place
Sit in silence
Stare into the great abyss
There’s a lot requiring us to be “on” all of the time. We were not designed or programmed to run at the pace we are going these days, which is basically to the burnout finish line.
This is your permission to say ‘WHEN’.
Take a break before you break down.
Take care of yourself so you can be your BEST self.
Just like you might prioritize moving your body to keep it in shape, it’s just as critical (or some would say more so) to spend time in prayer or meditation and get your mind and heart back in shape.
We are incapable of providing strength, support, and attention to others if we are not, first, prioritizing strength, support, and attention to our own selves. Once those buckets fill up, only then are we able to have amble amount to give to others.
The word “BUSY” has been glorified by society and has taught us that in order for us to feel successful and worthy of greatness, we must keep churning, burning the midnight oil, filling our schedules, and proving, proving, proving. In return, the only thing it truly has proven is that BUSY gives us anxiety, heart disease, deflated relationships, a need for validation, lack in creativity, and a scarcity mindset.
As you spend sacred energy with yourself, prioritizing your heart and mind and wellbeing, everything else will begin to align and you will gain perspective.
Fill your cup first.
