When’s the last time you went on vacation, like a real vacation to just chill out?

For me it’d been a while. Probably my honeymoon – ten years ago. I started grad school four months after we got married and we started trying to get pregnant before I’d finished school then we had the kids and life was all about them.

Vacations were a luxury that we didn’t have.

But hubby and I finally took one. For our tenth anniversary (last week) we went on a cruise to relax and unwind. Without the kids. It was nice to reconnect and relax. I got some work done, did some reading, and caught up on sleep. Overall, it was pretty much the perfect vacation.

I realized when we were planning our vacation that as adults we rarely take the time we need to relax. We don’t get enough sleep, we finish out the year without taking all our vacation, and we always feel overworked.

A vacation was the perfect remedy for me.

Yes, I worked. But I love my work and it didn’t feel like I was working. I enjoyed taking the time to work out some ideas that were in my head. I also read three books while we were on the trip and took a nap almost every afternoon. It was just right for me.

I missed my kids. I missed my bed. I missed the comforts of home. But I loved being able to get away.

On the cruise, I was talking to another couple and mentioned I was a writer. The husband asked me if I take cruises to get away and write. I told him we were just there for vacation, but I think I’m going to have to seriously consider his idea for the future. Taking a few days off to get away and relax definitely recharged my brain. I’ve had more ideas this week than in the last few months. I have books in mind that I want to write – enough to last me the next two or three years. I also have good plans developed for what I’m writing now and what I need to get done.

It’s amazing what a break and some fresh air can do for you!

When was the last time you went on a vacation? Maybe you should ask for one for Mother’s Day this year!