Back in June, I went on my very first beach vacation. Before I was 21, I had never been to Florida, or any state surrounded by the glistening sun. I had never even touched the warming sand as it formed around my body. When I tell people that, they drop their jaw in shock. Honestly, I am amazed when I have to tell it. That was until we passed the green Florida sign this past summer. I can’t say I’ve never been to a beach anymore!

I was in awe when we walked into our condo. The sun’s rays formed a pathway to a balcony with a view of a beautiful beach that was my home for the entire week. Before this vacation, I never really understood the hype, there’s water surrounded by sand that gets stuck in between your toes, big deal…

But then I laid on the beach with my bright pink floral towel. I read my Lucy Score book for hours as my pale skin turned crispy. I jumped into the water as the waves crashed into my body while my laughter carried out into the wind. Okay… I get it. You don’t have to tell me I’m missing out anymore… I get it. 

So many people are going to tell me, this sounds wonderful, but I just don’t have time for a week-long vacation. I used to think this too, but I am finding out I was wrong, as are you. No offense, but there are 365 days in the year, surely you can spare 6-7 of those days and go somewhere that makes your body tingle. No excuses.

As I was sitting in the car ride while my fiancé’s aunt drove, I was working on assignments for my summer class. In the chapter I was reading for my Stress Management class, it said that those who take an annual vacation are less likely to die or suffer from hypertension.

Let that sink in. 

This shows that an annual vacation isn’t a waste of time, it can actually give you more time. This explains why self-care has become so popular in recent years. Prioritizing yourself isn’t something that should only be done if you have any time left over from your day. It is something that deserves its own block of color on your calendar. Highlight it. Underline it. PUT IT IN ALL CAPS. If it’s on your to-do list, then you’ll have to cross it off. 

If a beach isn’t your thing, that’s 100% fine. Go somewhere that’ll cover your skin in goosebumps. Somewhere that’ll give you the chance to breathe.