For the next two weeks I’ll be on internet vacation trying to relax and have some fun.

I’ll be trying to relax. I know I’ll have fun. But for the blog and social networks, that means I’ll be spending little or no time on the internet. This is the first of the auto-posts I have scheduled. I’ll update you later on whether I was successful at “relaxing” during my break!

I’ve just recently finished a few projects:

• Mullein mini e-book (free to newsletter subscribers)
• Kindle Nature Sketch Journal
• Paperback Nature Journal sketchbook diary
• SEO audit of my website
• Nature Journal workshop at Hobbs State Park

When I’m done with my break, I have some projects to begin:

• Article to write for United Plant Savers
• Article to write for North American Native Plant Society’s Blazing Star magazine
• Column idea to pitch to Arkansas Wild Magazine
• Nature Sketching workshop to organize and schedule
• Author Event at Kimberling City Library to prepare for
• Novel to finish writing
• SEO issues with website to address

So, I’m not taking a break for stress relief, but to spend some quality time away from the computer. Instead of writing and creating or marketing things I’ve written or created, I’ll be having a two-week spree of fun with my husband. And then I’ll be regrouping and getting back to work.

Relax?

Although this break isn’t particularly to relax, thinking about stress relief got me thinking about it. I don’t think I know how to relax. Unless I’m sleeping.

Actually, I find thinking is relaxing. It’s when I can’t wrangle the time to think that I get stressed. But as far as lying-in-hammock-relaxed goes, I don’t think I can do that. Maybe one day.

If I have to do “nothing”, I’d rather be lying on a beach soaking up some rays where the water is clear and the sand is warm. But not too, too, hot. Is that asking for too much? Ha, it seems that anywhere there is sand and sun, then there is also excessive heat.

I did manage to soak up some rays on a beach this past summer for a little while, on the shores of the Persian Gulf, actually. But it was extremely hot and not very relaxing because of that, in spite of the gorgeous setting. I did, however, have a lot of fun. The summer before, we were on the sands of Destin, Florida and at the time I thought it was hot there, too, but my new beach experience showed me that there is nothing like the heat of the Middle East.

What do you do to relax when life is stressful or you just need a break?

For normal everyday stress I walk outside a bit or sit on my favorite rock in the creek and listen to the water trickle by. But for big releases, I like complete departures.