It's that time of year again, time for summer vacations and trips to the beach.
As some may know, I am not always the biggest fan of the beach. My family went on our first vacation in at least 10 years last summer and even that wasn't to the beach. Until I was 18, the only times I'd been to the ocean were off-season. Those visits, about three in total, came once or twice in November and once in March.
A beach bunny I am not.
My few summer trips to the beach have not been rousing successes.
Miserable sleeping arrangements and boredom as well as the inability to set my own agenda usually plague my trips and make them difficult to enjoy.
This year, I'm excited for the beach.
Two of my friends and I have been planning a trip for more than a month. We have the dates and the place set for our girls' getaway and I am counting down the weeks and days. My friends both have significant others, so the trip will serve as some much needed girl time.
Maybe I just need to get out of town. Aside from a few day trips to D.C., I haven't been out of the area in more than a year and I'm itching for some travel, even if in small doses. A visit to my college, set to take place a few months from now, is not soon enough.
I also really need a break. I am tired. At this point, I don't even care where I am going as long as I'm going.
While our trip is only a few days in duration, I'm still really looking forward to it.
I've also used the trip as a little workout motivation. With the help of my friend who knows what he's talking about, I kicked my workout regimen up a notch. Cardio and weight circuits have become the theme of my weekends and available weeknights.
As I write this I'm on day five of my beach workout. I feel silly just saying the phrase, "beach workout," but the goal of getting to the beach and feeling good while going are helping my mood.
I have something to look forward to. I have my trip with my friends to focus on as well as the more immediate goal of getting to the gym.
I can't wait to go away and take a stab at relaxation.
I'm starting to get that burned out feeling. Doing what I need to do is taking more and more effort by the day. The prospect of a vacation is keeping me moving.
In addition to my workouts I've plotted out when I will do laundry in preparation for the trip and what I will take. I bought a few beach dresses and a more convenient beach bag. I'm even contemplating a pedicure to set the days of relaxation off on the right foot, pardon the pun.
I'm a girl on a mission. I've latched on to the prospect of a break and that focus is propelling me through the days.
Even if the trip itself turns out to be a disaster, having had something to look forward to may make it worth it. Maybe. In the meantime, I remain optimistic about the trip and thrilled at the prospect of a positive experience at the beach.