How is it that we already have the first month of 2020 under our belts? After the hustle of the holidays, work and lots of travel in the last few months of 2019 I opted to take it easy in January. I usually view January as a time to reset and this month I did just that.
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It’s possible to go to Florida and not go to Disney or the beach
As I do most years, I started the year visiting family in Tampa over the holiday break. I always get asked if we plan to hit up Disney or Busch Gardens or the beach, and like most years the answer is a resounding NO. That’s not to say I don’t love the theme parks and the beaches at Clearwater, especially when I get to visit with my niece (who is now 14 and growing up far too fast), but during the holidays the crowds are insane.
Instead I just enjoyed hanging out with the family doing normal everyday things. I took my niece out for ramen and taught her how to use chopsticks for the first time. We went to a gorgeous waterside park in Safety Harbor and enjoyed a leisurely stroll on a perfect 72 degree day. As much as I love adventure and travel not everything has to be the most epic experience ever, and that’s perfectly ok.
Well, we did manage to get out for one adventure. We headed about an hour north of Tampa to Weeki Wachee Springs (an area famous for it’s kitschy mermaid shows) for an afternoon canoeing the crystal clear spring fed river in search of manatees. While we didn’t spot any this trip we did get an intense workout (the current paddling upstream is no joke) and explore a bit of Florida’s wild side.
It’s also ok to take a break
So many New Year’s resolutions focus on doing more; that in order to be a better version of yourself you have to work on being thinner, stronger, richer.
Hustle.
What I really needed this year was to take a mental break just to relax and reset. For the month of January my mantra was “No expectations”. I gave myself permission to spend hours binging Netflix if I wanted (I’ve been loving the Witcher and The Good Place), made a plan to generally have no plans on the weekend, and know that it was ok not to push myself the gym if I really wasn’t feeling it. and you know what? This rest is exactly what I needed and it’s allowed me to do a few small things around the house I’ve been neglecting as well as plan some upcoming projects and a few trips.
Things I’m Loving
This spaghetti squash casserole is the perfect mix of healthy and comfort.
This Brunello wine tour has me wanting to book a ticket to Italy stat.
These New Balance Minimus shoes are perfect for my lifting days in the gym.
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