Self Care & The Getaway House
Hola!
I need to jump straight into this one! I'm so excited and can hardly contain it...
Are you the outdoorsy type (or at least wish you were)?
Do you love the idea of being unplugged?
Are you curious about what it might be like to live in a tiny house?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, I think I have something you might like. Of course you already know what it is, as given away by the title, but let me roll back a little and set the scene.
When I turned 30, I was vacationing with family. It was an amazing time and pretty chill, which was ideal since I prefer for birthdays to be lowkey. One of my favorite birthdays is when I lived in a far off mystical land (Indiana) with no family or friends within hours nearby. I received so much virtual love and even had surprise packages, but essentially, I spent the day alone. AND LOVED IT!
So, on the last day of the month in April, I thought it to be symbolic that the date was the 30th during my birthday month of which I had turned 30! (Crazy, right?!) So, I booked a night at the Getaway House to be alone, reflect, meditate, read, sleep, and jump on the bed while singing childhood classics. I was with my favorite person in the entire world (myself, duh), and I had SO MUCH FUN.
Getaway: The Breakdown
Getaway is actually a series of tiny mobile units or cabins tucked away in rural towns that are near (1-2 hrs) big cities. You go there to unplug and be one with nature, yourself, your dog, or your favorite people.
It's a GREAT experience that I encourage you to take. One night will do the trick if you're strapped for time (or cash). The price rivals your average hotel cost for a night without all of the ridiculous taxes tacked on at checkout. There are also lots of other cabins nearby, so while you can disconnect, you're definitely not all alone. For the wannabe outdoors -men and -women, the tiny cabin has running water, heat and air, lights, and a real toilet and shower. You have all of the luxuries you'd usually have at home, so get rid of the excuses! They make it easy for you.
Getaway: Self Care
How in the hell is this self care-related? I don't know about y'all, but I come from the hippie dippie lands of walking barefoot the moment warm weather arrives, howling at the moon, and staring into the night sky for hours if I can. I love nature, and I strongly believe connecting to it helps us to connect more deeply with ourselves. Taking a moment to step away from the hustle and bustle can do wonders, even if for only 24 hours. Giving our brains a break from technology and always being on and available for others is sooo freeing! And dare I say "relaxing"? Dare I also say "hard"? It might seem weird at first, difficult, even lonely, but push forward!
I spent my time journaling outside, where I thought I kept hearing my phone buzz inside the cabin. Fun fact: It was nearby cows mooing! That was the moment that I really felt disengaged from all that is nature. I was disappointed in myself (the outdoors lover couldn't recognize a cow's moo?!) but also thought it was pretty funny. The sound of a cow's moo ringing in the air like a buzzing cell phone? It's not as far fetched as you think.
Once it started getting dark, I went in to shower, did about 2 minutes of yoga (sue me!), then got cozy on the bed where I listened to music while reading a library book and eating s'mores they so kindly left out for me. THEN! The moon started its ascension for the night, and my window was front and center for the show. It was so bright and beautiful that it actually woke me up several times throughout the night from the sheer brilliance alone. If you've never experienced the moon without city lights, you're seriously missing out. Do yourself a favor, get away from the city, and look up at the moon.
I whole heartedly encourage you to take time for yourself and Getaway - whether it's at an actual Getaway cabin or at your best friend's house who lives the next town over. Disconnecting every now and again helps strengthen your self awareness, perhaps increases your gratitude, and brings you back to the present moment which is the only time that truly matters. :)
I've done enough babbling, so now it's time to take a look for yourself. Don't say I didn't warn ya! They're magical.
-seria