Reflections: Take a Break

The moment I stepped onto the boat (after 14 hours of travel), something shifted. There was a quiet, an absence of all the usual distractions. We sailed out, leaving behind any trace of modern technology. At first, I kept reaching for my phone, out of habit. I wanted to check if there were any new messages or updates from the world outside. It took me a while to adjust, but after some time, I began to feel something I hadn’t in a long time – stillness. I wasn’t worrying about my phone or social media. I wasn’t thinking about work emails or what I had to get done tomorrow. Instead, I was fully present. This was good after a long summer season.

I spent the days on the boat doing simple, meaningful things. I finally finished reading a book I had been trying to get through for months but never had the time to complete. Each evening, we gathered together on the boat, eating meals and talking, not distracted by anything else. We laughed, we shared stories, and we were completely in the moment. There was no need to share our experiences on social media or capture the “perfect” photo for others. It was just us, and the beauty of that was something I hadn’t realized I was missing until then.

We swam in crystal-clear waters, dived with dolphins, and I spent time kiting across the gentle ocean. I would sit on the deck at sunset, watching the sky change colors, feeling completely connected to the world around me, yet disconnected from the digital one I had left behind. At night, I’d lie under the stars on the boat’s main sail, the sky stretching out infinitely above me. It became the best bedroom I could ever imagine, with the stars as my nightlight. I took pictures but not as many as I normally do, which did feel a bit strange.

Being so fully immersed in the moment, without the constant pull of notifications or the urge to check my phone, was a revelation. It allowed me to reconnect with myself, to be more present in the conversations and experiences I was having. The boat became a sanctuary, a space where time slowed down, and I could breathe deeply again. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t thinking about the next thing I needed to do. I was simply existing, enjoying every minute and just looking forward to performing under or over the ocean.

This time away also made me reflect on how much we, as a society, are caught up in our routines, our expectations, and our constant connectivity. We rarely stop to think about how much pressure we place on ourselves to be available, to be “successful”, and to meet the demands of modern life. But the truth is, we all need a break from it. We need to step outside of our usual patterns and find moments where we can disconnect and recharge.

Think about this for a second – you are talking to a friend – do they pick up their phone or look at their watch when you are talking to them? Or do you do this? This takes the focus away from what you are talking about with the person in front of you.

For me, being out on the ocean, without any digital ties, was the perfect reset. But I think the takeaway is broader than just one sailing trip. It’s about finding your version of escape, whatever that might be. Whether it’s taking a walk in the mountains, camping by a lake, or simply turning off your phone for a day – everyone needs that pause. It’s important to recognize when we’ve hit our limit and give ourselves permission to step away from the pressures we face.

Taking a break isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s essential for our mental and emotional well-being. We don’t always need to be available, and we certainly don’t need to be performing at 100% all the time. Sometimes, it’s okay to just be – to sit in the quiet, enjoy the view, or have an uninterrupted conversation with someone. It’s in those moments that we can truly reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is step off the path we’re on, even if just for a little while, and give ourselves the space to rest. It’s not about always being “on”. It’s about knowing when to turn off and just enjoy the ride.