We recently got out of town for a little trip down to Galveston, TX. Since we’re from the north Houston area, Galveston is just around an hour and a half drive from our part of Houston.
Even though we don’t go there a lot, it’s always nice to go. This year, we had family photos scheduled on the beach at sunrise. We decided that with stuff that we’ve had going on this month, that we’d only stay one night.
And I can not tell you how nice it was to have spent that one night down in Galveston.
Galveston isn’t known for its beauty. The island is definitely cool, but the water is often pretty brown, and if you go at the right time, there’s a large amount of seaweed that washes up on the beach. Pretty gross.
But this time the beach was pretty awesome and we had a great time doing some fun things as a family.
Our three year old was living his best life. As we got up to the water for our pictures, he was laughing and giggling as the tide rushed up to him. I helped him wade in, and we both got soaked, but the joy he was experiencing that morning will be something I will remember the rest of my life.
Then, we went to this local place called Miller’s on the seawall. This place is great. Every table has an awesome view of the gulf, and Katie and I swear that it’s the best breakfast food we’ve ever had.
After that, we shopped for a few souvenirs but then headed back to the water. We had already checked out of the hotel, so we were just wading in the water.
But Finn, our oldest, was immediately in love with the water again. It was then that Katie and I also discussed how therapeutic the sound of the waves are. It was just an awesome moment.
We had decided to only stay one night, but if we had known how much fun Finn was going to have, we’d have definitely decided to stay longer. We knew that we had to come back, but stay longer next time.
I’m writing this the morning after we came back, and I’m struck by what a great experience this little trip was.
We did spend a little money, but we just used points for the hotel, so the major expense was definitely food.
But the whole trip just leaves me feeling a little different today. My sense of gratitude for what a great time I had with my family. For how much Finn loved the water, and the pure ecstatic joy that was on his face as the waves crashed up on him. For the chance just to get away, even if for the smallest little time.
It struck me how much a little experience can have such a huge impact.
You don’t have to go on a super expensive, extravagant vacation. You can choose something small, something local.
It’s amazing how therapeutic the sound of those waves are.
What’s therapeutic for you?
Is it being in the mountains, on the beach, or somewhere else?
It doesn’t take a ton of money just to get away for a weekend.
You have to do a little planning, and you want to make sure that you aren’t hurting your big financial goals that you’re trying to achieve.
But do you have a moment just to get away?
It’s amazing what it can do to reset your mind and your spirit.
What small getaways have you experienced that refreshed you in ways that you weren’t expecting?
If nothing comes to mind, how could you think small and get away for just a little bit to hit the reset button?
Remember, it doesn’t have to be big to make an impact.
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