In 2021 I took a week-long trip to Vermont during the time that it had been a year since I stopped drinking. Last year I had two badly injured fingers that prevented me from doing anything to celebrate. I decided several months ago that not only was I going to celebrate year three in a place I have wanted to go since I was a kid, but I was going to go for the entire month of January. I badly needed this break also because working as a server is very mentally straining for me. I love what I do, but mentally there is so much I have to process, not least of which is loud noise in a small area.
I booked a bungalow about 3km’s above the ocean in Tahiti in Punaauia. I did not want to stay at a hotel with tourists. The only noise I hear up here is some random roosters roaming the neighborhood as well as a few birds. It is a blessing to be able to take a month off work, but I have an understanding GM as well as another manager that encourages me to do things like this. I am going to attempt to take time off every six months so I do not get too overloaded mentally. I realize that most of y’all cannot just up and leave for a month, but please at least take a weekend for yourself when you feel completely stressed or burned out. Do not let it get to the point where your body has to tell you to take a break.