I’ve decided that I needed to have taken a vacation about a year ago.

Despite all the crap of the previous week, there is something to be said for being somewhere nothing is expected and having absolutely no plans. Sure, I’ve taken vacations, but they often involve trying to do things while I’m at whatever location. It is a completely different feeling to have a schedule that reads for the entire day, “Meet for dinner at six.”

No cooking. No cleaning. No plans at all.

Apparently, I have to be forced to have absolutely no plans and no ability to sneak in work before I can actually relax.

And it was well worth it. I came back to work feeling better than I have in ages, having slept well for an entire week, and allowed myself to actually relax without feeling guilty, as if I should be doing something else more important. It’s also done wonders for my depression and anxiety. The only time my mood was off at all last week was when I got headaches from too much sun, and the one time I got busy and forgot to eat lunch. (Trust me. This is a bad thing. A very bad thing.) Even things being crazy at work today didn’t faze me in the slightest. I just grinned and dealt with it, and continued being relaxed and happy.

Now I just have to create the ability to do this without going to a foofy expensive resort.