I leave in 2 and a half hours to go to the airport for the first time since the beginning of February. Usually, I’m on a plane twice a week to attend meetings and conferences – but of course with the pandemic and lockdowns all of my work travel has been suspended. I’ve enjoyed the break from the treadmill of packing, going to the airport, flying to a meeting, staying in a hotel, then coming back home and unpacking only to re-pack a day or two later. My furry companion has also enjoyed me being home more.

Today, I’m going to the coast where some friends have rented a house in the middle of nowhere that is on the water. It’s cooler there than the city, which I’m immensely looking forward to…and some of my closest friends I’ve made in this country will be there. They’ve been there for about a week already. I’m joining late, because of work.

Right before lockdown happened, I was meant to leave on holiday. I was packed and ready to go! Unfortunately all those plans were cancelled…and work became a bit all-consuming, trying to keep the company going through this situation. So I never got my brain-break…never got my time to unwind a bit.

The last couple days have been busy, but I’ve also found myself sitting at my computer…doing only the ‘urgent’ things and letting the rest slide. My focus is not there. I’d rather curl up with a book and take my brain somewhere else. So I’m looking forward to this escape. I’m looking forward to escaping without the ‘escape’ that adding wine in to the equation would bring. I’m starting to realise that although having a glass (or 3) of wine helps me to ‘escape’…it removes my brain in a sense. I’ve spent more time reading and writing in the past few weeks than I have in the past few months. I love reading and writing! I’m finally reading a book I’ve been meaning to read for the past 10 years. I’ve been putting it off as it’s a bit of a ‘heavy’ book – but now I’m in it and I’m IN IT! It’s amazing and I’m loving spending time with it every day! But with the ‘escape’ of wine…my brain also escapes and then I don’t have the ability to take in that kind of information.

I’ve got de-alcoholised cava and some non-alcoholic spirits already at the beach house waiting for me as I sent them earlier with a friend. There’s another friend there that isn’t drinking as well, so that helps. But the best part is…I don’t actually want to drink. I want to rest, sleep, read, walk, laugh with my friends, have long talks….and come home feeling refreshed.

It’s a quick trip….just a long weekend basically. My little furball has a friend coming to stay, so he’ll have company who will spoil him rotten. But I’ll miss him….and part of me has anxiety about leaving our little safe haven….our little cocoon…but it’s time. I need to escape a bit…to see and experience new things. Like going to the airport during a pandemic. LOL

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