I recently did something I haven’t done in five years: I got on an airplane! That’s right, no flights since before the pandemic. I’ve stuck to local trips, nothing beyond a four-hour drive. But this time? I went to California—by myself—for a long-overdue girls’ trip. We hadn’t all been together like that in 15 years. These are friends I met in college 25 years ago, and since then, we’ve gotten married, had kids, and life’s just been … busy. A different kind of busy. And let’s be real, I haven’t been great at making time to get away on my own. Being the primary caregiver means coordinating, planning, and juggling a million things. But this trip? So needed.
It reminded me how valuable it is to step away from the day-to-day grind and reconnect with who you are outside of all the roles you play. There’s something magical about friendships where you don’t talk for weeks—or even months—but when you’re together, it’s like no time has passed. We picked up right where we left off, and nothing beats in-person time with people who truly get you. FaceTime calls just don’t cut it!
The trip also reminded me of things I love doing—like surfing, which I tried again after a 15-year hiatus. Let’s just say I was humbled by the waves, but I could totally see myself going all-in if I lived near the ocean. There’s just something about that California vibe that rubs off on you.
In the end, this trip was a much-needed reset. It reminded me to take moments to reconnect with me, and to nurture those friendships that lift me up. So, I ask you: who would you be if you were just being you?
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
~Anne Lamont