I’ve always been the biggest advocate of self love and self care, in whatever way that means to you.

Ever since this pandemic started, I watched the world slow down as things only seemed to get faster for me. We were all quarantined and forced to become homebodies, and I was genuinely excited for it. I was thriving. “Age of the introvert,” they say. But the stresses started to kick in and my environment became to wear me down as friends lost jobs, became bored out of their minds, leaned on me for support, guidance, and navigating these times to… just stay sane. I had to be a rock as the world around me seemed to crumble lol.

Where you put your attention and energy is what comes back to you, I’ve believed. And a way to solve this is to strip yourself of everything that is no longer serving you.

Overextending myself and placating to the people around me has always been something I’ve struggled with. I care deeply for the people around me that my own needs can go to the wayside. I can put myself in positions where I “settle” with the circumstances and never give myself what I truly want and deserve.

Which is why I’m going away. I’m taking my time back. I’m giving myself the time I wish I had and needed. I’m going to a place I haven’t been to in half a year. And I’m retreating.

When all I’ve ever wanted was to feel a sense of home, safety and security when it came to having a place to rest and put my head, I’m stripping myself of all of that for now.

And I wouldn’t be a good advocate for self love and care if I weren’t doing so.

Follow your bliss. Follow your heart. And really listen to that, as my younger self would always say…

See ya soon. Be careful. Be well. Stay in love.

I’ll be in touch.

With love and honesty,

Rachel