ALONG COMES MARY

I know Fridays this month are my Thankful posts day, but, I am going to jump ahead a few days & say this: Something I am very thankful for is that while I am in a beautiful, loving, solid relationship with my boyfriend, I also feel independent & able to still have “me” time. Even if I don’t think that I need it….

With my recent road trip to San Luis Obispo & Apple Farm Inn, I was all on my own. Mike couldn’t get away from work, & my original plans of making it a longer weekend with a friend couldn’t pan out. Mike, my Mom & myself started thinking of other people I should go with. Then, not to sound selfish, I decided: I want to just go on my own.

I’ve been really busy lately with work & our move, so while I miss my friends & haven’t had as much time with them all as I wish, I am still around someone most of the time now. I wouldn’t trade that for the world, yet, its my first time truly living with someone since I moved out of my parents 5 years ago…those past years made me a bit of a loner, & used to so much “me” time.

Simply stuffing what I’d need in a tote bag (c’mon, its only a night!), I headed out when I wanted Friday morning. I took my time, didn’t worry about holding anyone up, nor harassed that someone was keeping me, I hopped in my car, started my music & off I went. With my decision for the first stop to be Crush Cakes Café in Carpentaria.

Something I enjoyed the most, & knew this right away; was playing music that first became dear to me back when I lived up north & spent most of my time writing, reading & playing my CDs. I think Joni Mitchell is the perfect coastal road trip soundtrack, & guess what I couldn’t believe to read that morning? It was indeed Joni’s birthday. What a great reminder to blast her melodies & words from my speakers, with the roof top down, Pacific Ocean on my left, & mountains on my right, my favorite of hers, Hejira, accompanied me as I headed for my breakfast stop.

From Song for Sharon, to the works of art on her masterpiece, Blue, Joni Mitchell’s sounds & surroundings never fail to make me feel like I am headed home, but, to my home within myself. Much like I feel a nature connection to Tori Amos, Joni makes me feel transformed far away; in a forest, in my bedroom writing secrets, far from the traffic & noise of LA!

While I immensely enjoyed every minute of my ride up, & arrival to Apple Farm, I was met with a slump, & soon learned that I would get slightly lonely. All those things that felt so good to be distant; my breakfast, my Pismo Beach walk, my glass of wine, suddenly made me long for worrying about someone else, having to fret I was taking too long, being too selfish, I longed for my complaints!

Luckily, while missing Mike a bit on Sunday, I was able to clear my head & get the ultimate “me” time that I truly needed: Sitting on the cove at Shell Beach. Spyglass Park, a gorgeous park overlooking the water, as well as having a hike-able trail leading down to the water, has become my ‘secret’ hideaway I look forward to anytime I am travelling by on my own; the last time I was able to escape to it, I was wishing a bit for a boyfriend, a family, somebody to love, some clarity, & it was amazing to look back at those memories & wishes, while thinking of Mike & Hammy: My family.

While I encountered those lonely moments, I am still so thankful for that getaway. Even if you find yourself lonesome a bit, I still recommend everyone get their “me” time; it made me feel refreshed, happy, exposed to the beauty in our world & so thankful that I had so much to head home to. A real “We are one” vibe! Another thing I recommend, is: Don’t feel guilty for wanting that “me” time. Even I felt guilty for not bringing a friend, yet complaining I don’t see them enough, but, needing time with yourself is just as important, too.

When was the last time you did something all on your own? 🙂 xo