The Recipe for Respite: What My Vacation Taught Me About Real Rest
Before I left for vacation, I was racing to the finish line of renovating a long held rental property to put on the market. Time was of the essence since the start of the school year is a key driver of sales. But with uncharacteristic heat and humidity, contractor delays, paint fumes, and cleanup inside and out —I felt like we were sprinting to finish a renovation like I was on an HGTV deadline. Not exactly the calm-before-the-getaway I had envisioned.
But now? Now I’m relaxed. Like deep sigh, unclenched jaw, lowered shoulders relaxed. And I’ve been reflecting on what made this vacation different.
It turns out, I accidentally created the perfect recipe for much-needed respite. And I want to share it with you—because we all need permission (and a plan) to truly unwind.
📝 The Respite Recipe
1. Add a Daily Dose of Joy
We vacationed in Door County WI with family. Beforehand, my brother-in-law did a lot of investigating of live music venues. We had the great fortune to go to five live performances—most were free! The villages up and down the coast of Door County take turns drawing vacationers to their venues. We brought lawn chairs and listened to outdoor concerts, we had seats inside a barn turned music academy and even visited the local school’s gymnasium which had very good acoustics.
We listened to jazz, folk, and country. This included Pure Prairie League – which was the first ever live band concert I attended as a 16 year old and now… well many years later got to revisit. Great memories washed over me.
We visited a music school – Birch Creek Music Performance Center. It has a very competitive student program, but the big treat was the faculty performing Big Band music for more than half the show. You could feel their joy. The enthusiasm and toe-tapping was infectious and banter between musicians had everyone smiling.
I let the live music wash over me. It was such a treat and something I haven’t done in a long time. At one point, during an outdoor jazz concert I was watching delicate spider webs shimmer between flower stems while the vocalist delighted us with her range. That, my friend, is presence.
2. Stir in Some Beauty
We wandered through art galleries filled with sculptures, paintings, and glasswork. I am a very visual person and much of the artwork was nature inspired. I absolutely loved seeing the variety of mediums. Be sure to check out Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors). I found this to be especially fun because… well I’m Audrey! Again—free. Beauty feeds the soul, and I felt myself filling up.
3. Fold in Nature
Forest bathing (yes, it’s a thing—and no, you don’t have to wear anything special). Forest bathing is the practice of immersing yourself in a forest environment with the intention of slowing down, engaging your senses, and reconnecting with nature. It’s not about hiking or exercising, but about being rather than doing.
In just 20 minutes you can reduce stress hormones. This can lower your blood pressure and heart rate (are you listening fellow heart attack survivors?). Your mood improves and mental clarity sharpens. Your immune system is boosted by the oils released by the trees. Your circadian rhythm becomes more regulated so you will sleep better. You might even feel more connected and joyful.
We had so much fun listening to birdcalls and identifying them with the Merlin Bird app. It’s free and fun to use. You’ll even be helping scientists to learn more about birds. Growing up in the great Northwoods of WI (Rhinelander specifically) , I often say “ You can take the girl out of the woods, but not the woods out of the girl”. I return to my roots when I’m in the forest. I feel this beautiful chain of benefits. And best of all it’s free!
4. Sprinkle with Seasonal, Soulful Food
You may not know this about me, but I am a foodie and so is my family. We made an effort to find artisanal food. Think sourdough bread, tart cherry loaf, farm-to-table dinners, crisp salads, and the sweetest cherries you’ve ever tasted. Oh, and a creamy little indulgence—goat milk ice cream. It’s delicious!
Yes, I gained a couple pounds. No, I don’t care. My body felt nourished and delighted.
5. Mix with Digital Detox
I forgot about my phone.
How?
I was busy engaging all of my senses. Vision, hearing, taste, sound, feeling. Consequently my phone use was down 87%. I checked email once a day, called family a few times, peeked at the weather and played with the Merlin Bird ID app.
Social media? Barely touched it. And guess what happened? I remembered how to be.
6. Top with Connection
It was such a pleasure to reconnect with my out-of-state family. We had real conversation. Shared laughs. We mad memories together on long walks and honest chats. It filled places in me that had been running on empty.
Why It Worked
This wasn’t an expensive or extravagant vacation. It was intentional. Joyful. Sensory. Present. And full of the things I often say I don’t have time for—but actually need the most.
And while I can’t live on vacation 365 days a year (sadly), I can bring the ingredients of this recipe into my daily life—even if it’s just a five-minute music break or a cherry tomato from the garden.
So here’s your gentle nudge:
What would be one ingredient of respite you could add into your day today?
Even baby steps count.
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