The Vacation You Deserve: Why Taking a Break Matters — Even If You Can’t Go Anywhere
I want to start by saying something simple but important: You deserve a break.
Maybe your schedule feels too packed. Maybe your budget won’t stretch to a getaway. Or maybe travel just isn’t in the cards right now—and that’s okay.
Taking a vacation isn’t about the destination. It’s about giving yourself permission to step away from your everyday demands, to breathe differently, and to reconnect with what grounds you.
Why Taking a Break Matters
Our culture often glorifies busyness. We wear “hustle” like a badge and measure our worth by how much we get done. But here’s what I’ve learned—both in therapy and in life: Rest isn’t a luxury. It’s essential.
When we don’t pause, our minds grow crowded, our bodies tense, and our spirits grow tired. Taking time—even small moments—can help you:
Recharge your emotional batteries
Gain perspective on challenges
Renew your creativity and joy
Reconnect with yourself and your needs
You Don’t Need a Plane Ticket to Vacation
A vacation doesn’t have to mean packing a suitcase or booking a flight. It can be as simple as:
Turning off your phone for an hour or two and sitting with a cup of tea
Taking a long walk somewhere that feels peaceful (a park, a quiet street, or even your backyard)
Creating a little ritual—a favorite meal, a warm bath, lighting a candle—that feels like a gift to yourself
Reading a book just for fun, not productivity
Allowing yourself to say “no” to something that drains your energy this week
These moments are mini-vacations. They’re small acts of care that tell your body and mind: It’s okay to slow down.
How Vacation Supports Mental Health
From my experience as a therapist at Abbey Rose Therapy, I see how rest and renewal are powerful parts of healing. When you take breaks, your brain can process emotions and experiences more gently. You give yourself space to be creative and see new solutions. You soften the grip of stress and anxiety.
And that means when you return to your responsibilities, you’re showing up as your fullest self—not your tiredest self.
Making Rest a Radical Act
Sometimes, the hardest part is giving yourself permission to rest without guilt. It’s normal to feel like you should keep going, keep pushing, keep doing.
But what if you redefined rest as a radical act of self-respect? A way to say: I matter. My wellbeing matters. This pause is necessary.
Your Vacation, Your Way
I invite you to think about what a vacation looks like for you—right now, exactly where you are. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It just needs to be something that fills your well and helps you come home to yourself.
What might that be today? A walk, a moment of silence, a favorite song, a little creativity, or a pause in your routine?
When You’re Ready, I’m Here
If you want support in making space for rest, or if you’re struggling with guilt or overwhelm around taking breaks, I’d love to help you explore that.
At Abbey Rose Therapy, the work we do is about nurturing your whole self—rest included.
Because you deserve it.
Warmly,
Abbey Vince, AMFT
