Take One Day Away

Posted in inspirationTagged , , , , ,

“Every person needs to take one day away.  A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future.  Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence.  Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” – Maya Angelou

I’m typing this post on a Sunday morning while sitting on the floor of a hotel room as my kids sleep. This weekend, we didn’t have any events scheduled, the weather was unpredictable, and March doesn’t have any holidays so we made up a get away of our own. On Saturday afternoon we checked into a hotel for one night. It has a pool and is less than 1 mile from our house.

It sounds silly as I type this but I swear the psychological benefits are real. We walked away from all the regular stuff – homework, practice, pet care, cooking, and cleaning – to change it up for 21 hours. This small shift has reminded me that all that we carry isn’t as immoveable as it sometimes seems.

The kids have explored every feature of our 300 sq feet hotel room and spent quality time watching the freeway because the room is fun but not all that scenic. We’ve splashed and swam in the pool, and are about to head down to a FREE all-we-can-eat breakfast buffet.

I know it’s not really free but it still feels freeing. I wonder how many restorative breaks are waiting for us on the other side of silly?

(featured photo is mine)

You can find me on Instagram @wynneleon and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/

I co-host a storytelling podcast featuring authors and artists with the amazing Vicki Atkinson. To tune in, search for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or Pocketcasts (and subscribe) or click here. Or the YouTube channel features videos of our interviews. Please subscribe!

My other projects include work as a CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), speaking about collaboration and AI through the Chicago Writer’s Association, and my book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.

83 thoughts on “Take One Day Away”

  1. this is so incredibly important to do, and I’m so glad you did this. years ago, when I was a financially struggling single mom, I took the girls and we stayed in a motel on the outskirts of a resort town, and my daughter said she remembers staying in pajamas, watching a mini series, eating carrying out, and all sitting in bed together, while it rained outside. our vacation.

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Oh yes Wynne.
    I see so much value in your “One Day Away” especially when it’s just down the road. I’m thinking it didn’t matter where you went, just that you went. You went ‘wenting’ over the weekend 😀 – I like that 👌

    Liked by 4 people

  4. The hotel might be a mile away from your home but look at that face in the pic . . . he’ll remember this trip for years to come. Even if he doesn’t, all three of you will be mentally in a better spot this week. I love it Wynne. I’m a big believer of get aways like this. We’ve done it before and it makes a huge difference.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. No argument, Wynne. Our dilemma is also this: that many are trying to push the world away, hoping it will magically depart, fearful of trying to change it while change is still possible, and thus creating a self fulfilling prophecy that no motel room will be adequate to deal with but for a momentary reprieve.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I remember times when I’d take a vacation to downtown. Pack up and go play tourist in town, a healthy 6 miles away, for no reason at all other than nothing else seemed right for that weekend. I don’t remember why I stopped. Now you have me thinking about doing that again. I’m sure there are new sights I haven’t seen yet.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. This doesn’t sound silly to me. When I was a girl in the dead of winter my parents did this. We went to a motel with an indoor pool for a night and goofed off. Just being somewhere different can rejuvenate the body and soul.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Thanks for this needed reminder Wynne. Your post brought to mind Jesus’s ‘One Day Away’ instruction to us He often also followed Himself:
    “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves all by yourselves and rest a while.” – Mark 6:31
    Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to come!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. I get it. My sister and her husband always get away from everyone (including their kids) for one weekend per year. Of course, now the kids are all adults so it’s not quite the same and yet this still do it.

    I think I am way overdue to go away, even if it’s just for one night…. and I live alone!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Pingback: Take One Day Away – Site Title

  22. Oh Wynn, this is a lovely idea, so uplifting, and wistful. Maya’s quote speaks to me so very deeply. Lately, life has been harsh, demanding, keeping us duty-bound… I’m feeling quite hammered by problems in need of solutions, and can’t see them clearing anytime soon. I’ve been dreaming of finding time to go somewhere (even asking my husband to run away with me and leave it all behind. just joking. sort of.). We’ll work something out to take a break soon, I’m sure. 🌞 Thank you for this sweet and freeing post.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, I know what you mean by duty-bound. Love that you are figuring out how to take a break. It really does help to shift things just slightly, I think. Thanks for the great comment, Rose!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. The joyful photo on Mr D’s face says it all, Wynne. I’m glad you all that restorative break and found the silly and the fun and the relaxing. Your kid will remember this break in years to come.

    We all need these breaks and I’m glad you also took the time for yourself too away from the routine, grind and expectations. 🙏💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The fact that we all call it the grind says something, doesn’t it? I saw your pictures of the resort in Mexico and was inspired. Not the same by a long shot but it still was fun! Have a great week, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I can say as someone who never got to enjoy vacations as a kid and not until I graduated university, the memories you are creating with Miss O and Mr D are so priceless. They won’t remember so much the venue when they grow up but the warm and loving feelings associated with those childhood getaways instead!

        Liked by 1 person

  25. My mom used to do this from time to time when we were kids. We had the best times! Sometimes, you need a change of scenery, even if it’s only a few miles away. I’m glad you enjoyed your getaway!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. People need a break from daily routine, indeed. I have in mind to canopy with wine in the mountain soon with the kids, too.

    So happy for your vacation, Wynne. It sounds enjoyable and satisfying

    Liked by 1 person

  29. I love the Maya Angelou quote. What you did is not silly at all, my friend. We’ve done that a few times, and it works wonders. There is a monastery in my area that offers daily retreats (Break-A-Way: A Day of Prayer and Quiet from 9AM to 4PM) that I’m considering doing one of these days. Breaking the routine once in a while is necessary for our own sanity.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love the idea of those retreats, Edward. That sounds like something that could be so restorative! Love your endorsement of this as necessary instead of silly. Good point!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re very welcome, Wynne. An indoor pool and free breakfast will always beat a weekend at home. These little ones have so much energy that a couple of hours of splashing in the water work wonders.

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Omg, we literally just got back from almost the exact same “holiday”! – 10 minutes away from our house, pool, & free breakfast. Except it was Sunday – Monday. ☺️ Rock on!!! 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  32. I love it! There’s a hotel not too far from us that has rooms with those big jacuzzies, and I’ve thought about spending a night or weekend there just to soak and have a great view.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. I love your mini getaway at the start of the year. I flip through my calendar at random, and mark ten days as “holidays”. I always embrace them when they show up, and in awe how they seem to pop up when I or my family needs them most. 

    Liked by 2 people

  35. I love this, Wynne! It’s so important to take that day. Perfect photo too, and love the quote. My hubby and I are going away for the weekend. This is spontaneous from the kind of month we had. Anyway, glad you all had that time away, and by the way, those breakfasts are pretty good and still feel freeing! 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Pingback: Photos of the Week: March 29 – Surprised By Joy

Comments are closed.