📚my reading vacation

Every year I go away for a reading vacation – normally in January or February, after the holidays, when the winter doldrums hit.

I book a local hotel on credit card points for two nights, and I escape (alone) with a stack of books.

I read, I eat takeout, I watch TV.

My goal is usually to leave the hotel room as little as possible. 😂

All I will say is that this ritual does WONDERS for my introverted soul.

All y’all introverted parents of young children out there: I SEE YOU.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL.

This year, after two hours alone in a quiet hotel room, I texted my friend and said, I always get overwhelmed thinking I have these huge, un-meetable needs. Turns out all I need is a quiet, uncluttered room and takeout.

I’m a simple gal.

And here’s the thing: this ritual ALSO does wonders for my writer soul.

For two days and two nights, I don’t ask myself to produce anything.

I don’t cook, I don’t spend quality time with anyone except myself, I don’t write, I don’t work, I don’t read or send emails.

I don’t do housework or errands or chores.

I JUST EXIST.

I always, always, always come back deeply replenished.

It’s a way to fill the well, restock the pond – all those images that writers have for FILLING THEMSELVES BACK UP.

We can’t create from a depleted space.

Go fill yourself back up. 💗