A Small Escape in a Familiar Place

Life and the holidays can be a lot. The pressure doesn’t always come from one big thing. Sometimes it’s the quiet buildup of expectations, routines, and the feeling that we should be doing more, even as the year naturally begins to slow down.

Yesterday, Ray and I stepped out of our usual rhythm and explored Jacksonville like we were seeing it for the first time. There was no schedule and no checklist. Just walking, talking, and noticing the city we already call home.

It felt unexpectedly restorative. A reminder that a reset doesn’t always require time off, packed bags, or a change in time zones. Sometimes it’s as simple as choosing presence over productivity and curiosity over routine.

For some people, taking a break comes with guilt. It can feel unproductive or undeserved, especially in a culture that constantly rewards motion over meaning. But rest isn’t a lack of ambition. It’s often what allows clarity, creativity, and perspective to return.

This season has a way of encouraging us to push through when what we really need is permission to pause. Slowing down, even briefly, creates space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with what actually matters.

If the pressures of life and the holidays feel heavy right now, consider giving yourself a small break. Take a walk. See something familiar from a new angle. Step out of routine, even for a moment.

You don’t have to go far to take a break. Sometimes it’s already right where you are.