Last week, I was lucky enough to go “down the shore” for a nice long week of vacation. The debate around our house, though, is whether it really counts as a vacation when you’re so busy with your children. Most adults we discuss this with agree it’s a trip because there is not a lot of relaxing (for the kids, however, it is definitely a vacation)!
We certainly had our share of fun: walking the boardwalk, riding a surrey, eating junk food, amusement rides, the water park, bike rides around town, socializing with friends and family, long days on the busy beach and happy hour on the porch pretty much every night. Our older two—Molly (12) and Gavin (10)—are relatively easy but active, and Delaney (3) is what you would expect out of any three-year-old (high maintenance). Ellie (7) is a love, but is physically and emotionally draining and seems to possess the “no sleep gene”. Vacationing with our crew is always interesting and never boring. All in all, it was a successful vacation/trip and we made many memories. But it was non-stop and kid-focused.
The non-stop pace of our “vacation” is exactly why I need to sneak away and get little moments of peace. A little time to myself, so I can stay centered and grounded, goes a long way. Every day we each have the opportunity to start the day with a clean slate, and this is a real bonus. Some days end up being harder than others, but I always know that each day is a new beginning and a chance to start over again. I also find that if I can sneak in a few minutes of solitude for myself, I am a better mom. When parts of the day are challenging, I reflect back to the earlier moments and exhale and it makes it all easier.
One morning, I went to the beach with Molly and Gavin and saw the sunrise on the beach. Arriving at the beach at 6am was magical. There were only a few other people on the beach, the ocean was calm, the sand was cool, and the air was crisp. The kids ran to try to chase the sun and I got to reflect for a few minutes to myself. I collected my thoughts, did a quick meditation and felt centered and ready to start my day.
Also, several times during the week, I snuck out for a run on the boardwalk for the same reason. The exercise is certainly a bonus, but the “me time” is my real motivation. One afternoon after the beach, I did a run on the boards and was walking to cool down while listening to my meditation. While I was blissfully absorbed in my own world, a bunch of kids jumped out and yelled “Boo!”, snapping me back to reality. Molly and her cousins had been doing gymnastics on the beach, saw me coming and got a good laugh. Yep, that’s my reality. That was the end of my meditation, but at that point I had gotten re-centered and didn’t mind.
Obviously, I can’t visit the beach each day to experience the sunrise, but I do have a ritual of reading an inspirational passage for the day from Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Simple Abundance. Sadly, I have to hide in the bathroom for this, but sometimes hiding in the bathroom for five minutes is all it takes. Sometimes I can carve out a little more peace if I get up early enough. Here’s what I love if you can do it. I suggest getting up before the kids, having a coffee, perhaps getting in some exercise and/or meditation. Now that’s a mini-vacation in my book, especially if you can accomplish it all before the kids wake. The kids are the variable, I know, and sometimes it means getting up really early…but what a great way to start the day.
Here’s to little mini-retreats for all of us to get centered and enjoy some white space in this busy world of ours. (Click to Tweet!)
How do you re-charge or look at new beginnings?
