I love going to the shore. It brings a sense of peace and relaxation that is indescribable. Growing up in the city was a fun experience, but there was nothing better than our vacations down to the shore. The journey to the coast was always one to look forward to. Our venture began with departing the hustle and bustle of the crowded city spaces and the workings of the noises that surround you daily. Then we would start to hear nothing but the winds of the highway. Finally, as we reached the shore, we heard nothing but the waves of the ocean crashing against the sea. Sitting on the beach is relaxing because no matter what happens around you, the waves in the sea tend to drown out everything else. You can get lost in your thoughts or nothing at all. Staring, looking out across the miles of water, your mind is taken off any and everything.
Think about the number of people that venture out to the shore each day. While some are walking, running, or playing with friends and family, it does not matter as you can sit close yet distant from it all. Here you can find your space, find solitude, and allow the white noise of the water to drown all the background noise out. Here you can still focus, and the salt water is great for your skin.
This is why I love the shore. This is a place where I really get to indulge in self-care, free my mind, relax, and rejuvenate. With all that goes on in the world, we need a place of solitude to escape the noise and free us of the chaos. We owe it to ourselves to take time and refocus, relax, and rejuvenate.
The shore can also be a place of danger. When we fail to pay attention to our surroundings, disobey warning signs, or stretch beyond limitations, we put ourselves in harm’s way. In these moments, we may cause undue harm to ourselves or even death. Wait, we were just talking about how pleasant the shore was, so how can this be? Well, just like any enjoyable place, it comes with risks and warnings of danger. The same serene waves the crash against the ocean can also bring strong tides that can sweep away a life. While some tides are manageable or enjoyable, others can be deadly as persons are asked to stay out of the water at risk of drowning. There are also the times where no lifeguards are present; therefore, no help is available should you begin to drown. No one will come to assist you; you are on your own and must save yourself. You must pay attention to your surroundings to understand what you can do and when. You need to understand what you can handle and what you cannot to remain safe. You must know when you can enjoy the water and when to relax on the shore to live. This is true as we understand how to live a balanced life and practice self-care.
Sometimes, especially those who are moms or women feel the guiltiest when taking time for themselves. Many somehow believe that they must do it all first before taking time for themselves. Only when everyone and everything is taken care of and provided for are they able to take a break. By this time, the person is so broken themselves, they are unable to make an escape. They are engulfed in their vicious cycle of guilt and shame. They believe there is always something else that must be done. Their thought process is debilitated. When trapped here, when do we ever break free for ourselves? It cannot be when we have a mental break-down, and someone is forced to come “save” us from ourselves. When we are always surrounded by noise, never taking a break, we make the worse decisions. When we are operating in constant noise, everything is a distraction, is frustrating, and wears you down and out. You cannot trust your judgment nor anyone else’s, as nothing makes sense. In essence, your mental capacity to facilitate a sensible thought process is broken, and your nerves are overactive, sending your mind and body on a forced shutdown. You must recover!
If we do not make intentional relaxation and rejuvenation time, ultimately, our mind and body will force us in ways that are not pleasurable. As much as we love superheroes, we must remember that this is reality, and we are not created to save the world. We must take the time to STOP and save ourselves from the hustle and bustle that surrounds us daily. It is better to have the ocean sweep away our noise than to be swept away by the ocean of our noise.
Spend time sitting on the shore relaxing.
Allow the waves to drown out the noise to relax and refocus.
Pay attention to the warning signs that can cause you to drown.
Don’t let the tides pull in and under. Take time to rest when you are supposed to. We all have our limits.
