Updated: September 15, 2015
Originally Published: April 30, 2013
My foot tapped impatiently against the airport floor, and I felt as jittery as if I had just consumed an entire pot of coffee. It was early March in Cleveland, where gray, slushy snow still covered the ground, and I was alone, waiting to board a flight to sunny Florida.
I’m what you might call an extroverted introvert—a person who thrives on social interactions yet craves solitude. Being a stay-at-home mom to three little ones was a dream come true. From the moment each of my children entered the world, I was overwhelmed with joy at their presence. However, the reality of parenting toddlers was also noisy, close, and incredibly demanding.
“I just need some time to myself,” I told my partner when he asked what I wanted for my very first Mother’s Day, with our only child being our cheerful 8-month-old son. “Really? Don’t you want to do something together as a family?” he replied, shocked and a bit hurt, so I quickly let it go.
Yet deep down, I knew I needed a break, especially as two more delightful babies joined our family and grew into energetic toddlers. I was exhausted from always being “Mommy-Mommy-Mommy,” yearning for a moment of peace. While I was grateful for the occasional date nights and moms’ nights out, they hardly sufficed.
And so, I set my sights on Florida. After enduring the weight of a long winter, compounded by seasonal affective disorder and motherhood’s demands, I finally recognized and insisted on what I truly needed. “Can’t I come?” my partner asked. I gently replied no, and he supportively agreed.
I adore my partner, but I am someone who wants to please others, and I knew that if he accompanied me, I would feel compelled to involve him in every decision, every plan. I needed to escape and recharge on my own.
The experience was pure bliss. After an initial hour of restless energy in the airport, my mind finally signaled to my body: Relax. Your kids are safe, and it’s okay to just be.
For the next 48 hours, I basked in the Vitamin D that my sun-deprived body craved. I indulged in reading, running, getting a pedicure, and practicing Pilates. I strolled through the town, savored meals alone, and in the evenings, I opened my laptop to rediscover my long-lost writing voice.
My favorite spot in that quaint Florida town was a charming open-air restaurant, just a patio with a simple roof, the kind you find in places bold enough to embrace such a setting. Warm sunlight, the soft chatter of locals, and the mouthwatering scent of fried green tomatoes filled the air. With a half-finished margarita in hand, I felt completely at peace for the first time in years.
It was rejuvenating. Yet by the second day, my son had come down with a fever, and I was diagnosing him through Skype, wishing I could hold him close. I shared pictures of the lizards outside my room with my daughters, blowing kisses their way. I started to miss my family dearly.
But when I returned home, I felt whole and recharged, ready to embrace motherhood once again.
This article was originally published on April 30, 2013.
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Summary:
Taking time for oneself is crucial for mothers, as highlighted by the author’s rejuvenating solo trip to Florida. Amidst the demands of motherhood, the experience allowed for self-reflection and relaxation, proving that a break can lead to a refreshed spirit, making one more prepared to embrace family life upon return.