Last Fall, Hubs and I decided to do a quick getaway to the beach. It was off season, so, at times, it felt like we had the shore to ourselves. Near the end of the trip, we were trying to decide what to do. I wanted more beach time, but he wanted to do his own thing. So we each did what made us happy. After 30+ years together, we are comfortable compromising for the sake of each other’s needs. So we went our own separate ways, and I got to spend an entire day at the beach all by myself.
For me, having the chance to sit on a nearly empty beach with unusually warm weather, to read (Ken Follet’s The Evening and the Morning was a must read for me!) and to listen to the waves was a gift to my soul.
The thing about a day alone at the beach is that you get to think. A lot. You get to enjoy time with your thoughts. I found myself staring at the water completely lost in thought.
And, one thing to note: the beach in early November is practically empty. Since we’re early risers (and early “beachers,” as a result) we found that we a seemingly hugh expanse of sand and sea mostly to ourselves for the first couple of hours each day. My day alone was no exception.
It’s hard to exaggerate how satisfying and peaceful my day was. I read a lot. I also walked in the surf. And I watched the few people who showed up throughout the day. But mostly I thought. About everything possible. Serious thoughts. Stupid thoughts. Things I wanted to do. People I missed. Places I want to travel. About the book I want to write. Honestly, with no distractions, my mind was so willing to explore an incredible array of topics.
And I loved it. The day-to-day is often too busy and too hectic and too stuffed with things that really are of no importance. Regardless of what it is, the intrusions block our minds from roaming freely. Once you can do that, though, it’s pretty amazing that your soul knows exactly what it needs to visit.
So I soaked up the mental journey down many paths, because, by the end of the day, I felt more refreshed than I had in years.
The worst part was leaving. I had finished my book, and it was getting to be late afternoon. It would be time for dinner soon, and I looked forward to hearing about Hub’s day and telling him about mine. The forecast for the next day was rain, so I was pretty sure that I wouldn’t have my toes in the sand again until the next trip. But when I packed up, it was not with a sad heart. I packed up full of gratitude for the time I had and the peace it had brought me.
Next time you have a chance, consider taking a day alone, as well. The beach is great, but you can do it in the woods, at a park, in your backyard, or any other place that would provide the chance to take hours alone and away from work, computers, other people, and daily distractions. Give your mind a bit of a vacation, and I bet that it will repay you in kind.