After a long week of being confined in back to school meetings, mandatory trainings, a never-ending to-do list, and putting in 4-5 hours on Saturday, I decided to declare today as Self Care Sunday. I hopped in the car and headed to my favorite beach-combing beach. About two miles in, it started to rain. I almost turned back, but then I thought, meh, I’ll just stop at 7-11 and see if they have a rain poncho. So I turned on my favorite playlist and sang along to all the songs.
Just after crossing the bridge to the island, the rain stopped. As I drove along, I noticed a shrine I had never seen before and thought about how funny it is that you can visit the same place multiple times and always see something new. Thoughts popped into my head about the things that make me happy and soothe my soul. Spending time with family, music, exploring, curling up with a good book, sunrise/sunset by the water, little art galleries, photography, flowers, and all things beach related (the sand, the waves, water birds, shells, sea glass). I pulled into the parking lot, stepped out into the beach air, and began walking barefoot in the sand picking up little treasures as I went. The beach grounds me and makes me feel whole again.
Next I drove over to a beach park on the other side of the island (which took all of 15 minutes) where there are a couple of little cafes and had a delicious fish burger and mango soda with sherbet. I sat for awhile and just enjoyed the view.
Did I mention palm trees on my list of things that make me happy? There is something very calming about how they sway in the breeze. A crowd of beach goers came into the cafe, so I decided to head out. I thought about going by one of my favorite little antique shops, but decided to call it a day. My drive home from this area is coastline all the way. A really relaxing day of doing just what I wanted to. Now I feel ready for day one with students tomorrow.
What do you do to soothe your soul and relax?
Kari