Just a few weeks ago, Levy (my 11-year-old German Shepherd) and I packed up the car and headed to Fort Myers for a week away. Finally, it was vacation time. A whole week off to myself.
Not for an action-packed vacation.
Not to check attractions off a list.
Not to fill every day with plans.
Honestly, I was exhausted. As much as I love my job, I needed a break from the stress and hectic days to relax and recharge.
Work has been incredibly demanding for months. Between covering routes and working long stretches, I found myself caught in a cycle of ten-day runs before a day off, only to jump right back into it again. The days seemed to blur together, and despite my best efforts to keep up, I could feel myself running on empty.
I hadn’t had a real chance to step away in months.
I wasn’t looking for excitement.
I was looking for rest.
When I arrived to the Airbnb (after almost passing it up, you could not see the house- only the gate entrance to the hidden long driveway surrounded by trees), I knew almost immediately it was exactly what I needed.
Tucked away in a secluded area, the property felt like a hidden retreat.
Obviously, the first thing I noticed was the greenery. As soon as the gate entrance opens you drive down a half-mile driveway surrounded by trees before you even see the home. Perfect.
Mature trees and greenery surrounded the entire home, creating a peaceful canopy that made the entire property feel private and calm. The landscape was so lush that at times it felt like stepping into another world, far removed from schedules, deadlines, and the constant busyness of everyday life.
The home itself sat along a quiet river and featured two docks overlooking the water. You couldn’t even see neighboring homes. Just greenery, river, and 5 acres of land. Talk about heaven. Levy loved having so much land to explore, and I loved having a private area for us to enjoy it. (He’s not the biggest fan of other 4-leggers).
My mornings began with coffee in the giant Florida room, my absolute favorite spot of this home. I have always wanted a Florida room and having one to myself for a week was pure bliss. I started each morning in that room sipping on coffee, and getting a good hour’s work in on my laptop with a view like no other. Some mornings a rain came in which was an extra treat.
There was no rush.
Nowhere I needed to be.
No schedule to follow.
Just stillness.
And honestly, that’s exactly what I had been craving.
One of my favorite parts of the trip was sharing it with Levy.
While I may have been looking for a reset, Levy was simply thrilled to have a new place to explore and endless smells to investigate.
We spent our days taking walks, exploring the property, chasing ducks, sitting by the river, and simply enjoying the slower pace of life together. Watching him explore the property made me realize how much time passes without us noticing. It felt like only yesterday he was charging through trails and chasing anything that moved. (He still does, just not as wild as he has years prior). Seeing his gray muzzle as he wandered along the river was a reminder to appreciate these slower seasons of life, too.
As someone who is constantly moving from one responsibility to the next, those quiet moments felt extra meaningful. No one needed me, I wasn’t watching the clock, my work phone was not blowing up, and most importantly I got to spend every day with my boy without being gone for 9+ hours a day.
No distractions.
No deadlines.
Just time.
Something interesting happens when you finally stop rushing.
You start noticing things again.
The way the sunlight filters through the trees.
The reflections on the water.
The different shades of green around you.
Watching the storm clouds roll in.
The birds, wildlife, and small details that normally go unseen when you’re moving through life too quickly, which is exactly what I’ve been doing. Constantly sticking to a strict schedule, trying to fit so many tasks into a small amount of time every single day. For once I had no plans, no where to be, no long to-do list to check off after every day of work.
I found myself taking photos constantly. Not because I was trying to create content, but because I genuinely wanted to remember those moments.
Looking back through the images now, I realize the trip wasn’t filled with major events or exciting adventures. Instead, it was filled with simple moments that reminded me how important it is to slow down.
While the trip was meant for rest, I did spend some time working on my business, Rosewood & Sage.
The difference was that I was working on it because I wanted to, not because I had to. I typically fit about an hour of this work in after my full-time job every day. But some days after work I am so physically and mentally exhausted that I skip working on my business.
There was something refreshing about sitting down with my laptop in a peaceful setting and spending time thinking about future collections, creative ideas, and goals for the business. Not feeling rushed on time, trying to hurry before I need to jump to the next task on my to-do list.
Without the usual pressure and distractions, I found myself reconnecting with the creative side of things.
Ideas started flowing again.
Plans started taking shape.
And for the first time in a while, I felt inspired instead of overwhelmed.
I revamped my entire website, Etsy shop, and started brainstorming ideas for content creation (which is how this blog came about).
When people think of vacations, they often imagine packed itineraries and endless activities.
This trip was the opposite.
It wasn’t about doing more.
It was about doing less.
It was about giving myself permission to rest without feeling guilty.
To sit by the water.
To spend time with Levy.
To work on creative projects when inspiration struck.
To sleep in.
To read.
To think.
To breathe.
And after the season I’d been coming out of, that was exactly what I needed.
When the week ended and it was time to head home, I felt different.
Not because all my problems had disappeared.
Not because life suddenly became less busy.
But because I had finally given myself space to recharge. I was ready to step back into the chaos of work with a fresh mindset.
Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is step away long enough to refill our own cup.
This trip reminded me that rest isn’t something we have to earn after burnout.
It’s something we should make room for before we get there. Use that PTO time. Give yourself a break. It is more necessary than you may realize. Especially for me- someone who thrives running around 24/7 with endless tasks to complete. And for that reason alone, it may have been one of the most important trips I’ve ever taken.
Not because of where I went.
Not because of what I did.
But because it reminded me that rest isn’t a reward for working hard.
Sometimes it’s a necessity.
And sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is simply step away long enough to hear ourselves think again.
Until next time,
Brittany
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