Lay Me Down.

Reggae/Hip Hop music on repeat. That's what I have been listening to for the last week. But can you blame me? There really isn't any other way to road trip to Key West.

I had a much needed vacation and I was able to get away away from "adulting" for just a little bit.

Before leaving, I had a lot on my plate. Finishing up finals and just a lot going on at work. I also had personal things that I just needed to get sorted out. But that's exactly what happened. I took the time that I deserved to relax and enjoy life, with friends that I love.

It's funny - sort of - how we grow up learning to just accept being busy. That we should feel guilty for taking time for ourselves, but something I've had to teach myself is that vacations, whether it's a big or small one, keep us sane. This is another reason why I am thankful for my job. My team understands this for each of us, that we need a break and breathers, that mental health is just as important as physical health. We work hard, but we also need to rest hard. Makes sense, right?

This really resonated with me as I was reading in Key West...in a hammock on the beach. Talk about zen. But my mind wandered a bit and I just thought about how much work, school and life gets to us. How we can cheat ourselves out of happiness just by being focused on achieving that happiness. Instead of letting it be. I am all for hard work, trust me. I have worked my butt off in everything that I have ever done and will continue to do so, but I made a vow to myself, in that hammock, to not lose myself in the process.

Things come, things go. But choosing to treat ourselves the way we deserves allows for so much good to be brought into our lives. I stress about stress. It's who I am. I push myself and excel under pressure, but that's not healthy. I should not push myself to a breaking point because I think I have to and neither should you.

Again, I'm not saying to take a vacation to the Keys every time you're feeling stressed (bummer), but knowing that you deserve rest and peace will make life easier.

Upon returning the the real world, I found out that I ended my second semester of grad school with two A's and that work picked up just where I left it. The world did not crash and burn because I took a break. Everything worked out and was handled. The only difference is that I feel better. Mentally. I just needed a break.

There ain't no place I'd rather be

I'm talking bout right here, right now

That's all I need