stephmodo: The Importance of Getting Away

The Importance of Getting Away

• 23 April 2009
























Not thirty minutes after I walked out of the airport, just off a ten-hour flight, I found myself picking up my daughter from school, moving on to entertain my 3 kids (during what I call the "witching hour"--4/5 p.m.) and attempting to put together something edible for dinner. Yes, it would've been nice to rest and relax my jet-lagged body, but a busy life is just that...busy. Oh how quickly the vacation ends! Thank heavens for the chance to even have one. This brings me to the point of this post...the importance of physically {and mentally} getting away and leaving your daily life behind for a short period of time.

While away from our husbands and our children, my sister and I discussed the importance of taking "time off". Stepping away from our daily lives allowed us to 1) appreciate our families to a greater extent, 2) take note of areas we need to improve upon as mothers and 3) allowed our spouses to appreciate us more (and us them).

Playing Mr. Mom was an eye-opening experience for my husband (even with babysitters helping out at times). Yes, he's taken care of the kids for a few hours, or even a day at one point, but it had been a long time since I'd left him with all three. In fact, this might have been the very first time now that I think about it. I received repeated emails about how much he appreciated all that I do and how he understands me in a different way now. I'm sorry, did you say you understand me??? Those are truly magic words in my book. Don't we all want to be understood? It really feels good. SO good.

Dear readers, if you haven't skipped town with a girlfriend in awhile, perhaps it's time to start planning a little trip! The clarity of thought you'll experience and the renewed appreciation you'll feel at home will do wonders for your mind and soul. Remember, it doesn't have to be a complicated or expensive escape--it's the "getting away" part that is so important.

9 comments:

  1. my bff from childhood who now lives in NY is coming out to colorado for a weekend, we are borrowing a friends mountain condo for free, hitting the day spa and giggling all night long! 8 hours and counting! i can't wait! j :)

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  2. Very well put, and sooo true!!

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  3. I think there's a line in "A Separate Piece," (required reading for high school freshmen) that said something like "We're not so much looking to be loved but to be understood." That really stuck with me.

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  4. I had no idea how good it was until I went to LA to see Wicked with some girlfriends in January. I was gone for 5 days, and it was amazingly restorative. I was a better mom, a better wife, a better me for months afterward. I can feel it starting to wear off and it's only been 3 months....maybe a trip to Paris would last me longer?

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  5. I know you are so right. I've never been away from my kids for more than 8 hours. They are 3 and 2. It is beyond time.

    As soon as the finances stabilize, just a little, I'm planning a weekend getaway to Atlanta to visit my best friend. Can't wait.

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  6. I am so glad I read this before booking my trip to Germany this August. I was already so worried how my husband will manage with the kids, how do we organize everything, etc. I haven't even thought of me having a good time. Now I will. Thanks!

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  7. I am all for leaving DH home with the kids so I can have some "me" time. Helps him appreciate me more too!

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  8. YES. I couldn't agree more. Last month I flew across the country to SFran to visit my sister. I left my 18 month old w/my husband. It was glorious and eye opening for all. Husband and I decided to make it at least a yearly thing for me to getaway. Cheers for caring husbands, fun sisters, and our beautiful earth. Thanks for your blog, I'm a regular visitor and love it; you've inspired me to be more diligent about meal planning. My family's heading to SLC for a much needed vacation the third week of May and will definitely hit up your bakery recommendations + thrift stores:)
    Come visit us: http://harrisonfamilyfun.blogspot.com

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