Embrace the Journey: Taking a Vacation with Yourself to re-discover your inner beauty

Yesterday, I took a moment to slow down. Nothing extravagant—just a quiet day playing tourist in my own town, enjoying the sights with fresh eyes and spending quality time with family who were visiting.

And it made me think…

How often do we forget to see the beauty that already surrounds us—not just in the world, but within ourselves?

We often get caught in the rhythm of everyday life: the to-do lists, the responsibilities, and the constant pull to keep up. Amidst all of this, that little voice inside—the one that reminds us we’re doing okay—starts to fade. It gets buried beneath the noise, and before we know it, we’ve stopped truly seeing ourselves at all.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need a grand trip or an elaborate plan to reconnect with your inner self. Sometimes, it’s simply about pressing pause, taking a deep breath, and looking around—both outside and within.

Essentially, it’s about taking a vacation with yourself!

So today, consider this your invitation to do just that. Create a little space in your day to slow down, soften the edges, and come back to yourself.

To help you get started, here’s something simple to try:

• Take a moment to really breathe.

• Say something kind to yourself.

• Let go of the need to be productive every minute.

• Notice something beautiful—inside or out.

• Remember that your worth doesn’t depend on your pace.

• Remind yourself that you are already enough. Just as you are.

• Go look in the mirror and embrace that inner beauty, that amazing reflection staring back at you. If needed, pretend you are someone else and ask what they would say as they looked at you. I have a feeling their voice would hold many beautiful truths that you have pushed aside and ignored!

So whether you’re sipping your coffee slowly today or finding a few quiet moments as the day draws to a close, I hope you remember to pause. Notice the light you carry and recognize that your presence—your being—is beautiful, even in the stillness.

Because you, my friend, are worth noticing.

SHINE bright, my friend, and enjoy that vacation with yourself!