Whenever I’m feeling a bit tightly wound and need a breather
I like to escape to the lake. It’s the most peaceful area where I get to go on
the boat, go in the water, and make s’mores by the fireplace. It’s also the
worst place to cell phone reception so it’s very easy to LITERALLY disconnect
from the Internet and social media.
We are always doing things at the lake, but it’s a relaxing
type of “doing things.” We start out morning with a hot cup of coffee and sit
outside looking at the sun through the trees and the birds chirping above us.
It’s honestly the most relaxing mornings. Then we’ll start packing food for the
boat while the boys get the boat ready. After the boat is ready everyone loads
up and hits the water. I LOVE BOAT RIDES! So does Oliver, he will just sit
there and let the water hit his face. He gets very confused though when it’s my
turn to drive the boat because he doesn’t understand why I’m not sitting next
to him. After we spend all day on the boat getting a sun tan and jumping off
the rope swing we’ll head back to the lake house. This is the unwinding part of
the day, because even though you’re just tanning on a boat all day you’re in
the sun and that can take a lot out of you. After taking a much needed shower I
love to relax and put a facemask on and curl up with a good book while my mom
starts dinner. This unwinding part is so important because it allows you to not
only catch up on your beauty routine but also forces you to pick up a book
instead of going online.
After we eat dinner we will usually goof around on the golf
cart or walk the dogs. I love how quite and peaceful the lake is. It makes for
the perfect getaway weekend. Aside from finding the perfect place to getaway
too, it’s important to really try to put your phone away. Leave your phone
behind when you go for a walk or a boat ride. Make sure to really disconnect
from it, because it’s so healthy to take a break from technology now and then.
It’s also important to refocus on your beauty routine. I know we tend to skip a
step or two but this is the time where you don’t need to focus on anything else
but yourself. If you need to get a workout in or do some stretches this is the
perfect time to do so.
Refocus on physical activities versus the computer screen. I
tend to write a lot at work and in my personal time, but when is the last time
I actually wrote with pen and paper versus on a Word document? I love to take
out a notebook and jot down ideas I have for my blog. Maybe drawing or
sketching is your thing. Head outside and sit in the sun while we do this. Get
some fresh air and just take a deep breath. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing
as long as it’s relaxing for you. Reading, writing, drawing, or even doing some
yoga in the fresh air can help you to calm down and detox.
Even though I may not be checking my Instagram every two
seconds, doesn’t mean I’ve stopped my creative juices from flowing. I love to
break out my camera and take some really nice photos. Especially since the lake
is such a beautiful and unique location. I also like to fine tune some of my
skills so for this weekend the “study” book I packed was a Photoshop and
Lightroom guide. So after the photoshoot I was able to take some of the photos
we took from that day and I worked on some new things in Photoshop and
Lightroom while dinner was being made. I gave myself a time frame though so I
wasn’t working on it all night long as I typically do.
Finally, my last suggestion is to get a good night’s rest. I
am an advent sleeping pill taker. My body just doesn’t function like a normal
person’s when it’s tired. I could be exhausted and still not fall asleep
because my insides are still wired. It’s honestly very refreshing when I can
drift off to sleep without any medicine and I always get a good night’s sleep
at the lake.
xoxo, Michele
