“The world won’t stop spinning, but you can.”
We race through life juggling deadlines, heartbreak, raising kids, buying groceries, processing grief and guilt, all while forcing a smile and pretending we’ve got it together. But in a society obsessed with hustle, it is nothing short of radical to pause. And your soul deeply deserves that pause.
Not just a break from work, but a return to yourself.
When Jenna passed away, I shared with you how everything changed. I learned in the most painful way that life can stop in an instant. That truth has never left me. I realized I did not want to live a life built on autopilot, checking off boxes while missing the beauty in front of me. So I began to prioritize memory-making. I said yes to adventure. We traveled to different states to witness the wonder around us. We explored new countries. We went camping and boating, hiked unfamiliar trails, and even zipped through the trees and over canyons.
It was not about thrill-seeking. It was about reclaiming joy. It was about honoring life by truly living it.
Tony Robbins often says that if you want to keep excitement in your life, you need to always have something to look forward to. Progress is what gives us energy. Having your next adventure on the calendar brings purpose and presence into your days. Other thought leaders echo this as well. They say that if you are not intentionally creating momentum in your life, it is easy to drift into survival mode. Adventure becomes a way to reset. It becomes a source of renewal.
So if you are feeling stretched thin, disconnected, or worn down by the weight of daily life, consider planning a weekend that restores you. Not to impress others. Not to cross something off a list. But to fill yourself back up, from the inside out.
Here are a few soul-nourishing ideas to inspire your next adventure:
1. A Cabin in the Woods, Where You Can Just Be
For the one who’s been holding it all together for too long
There is something deeply grounding about being surrounded by trees. After Jenna passed, I found healing amongst the trees. Nature offered a kind of quiet that allowed my nervous system to finally exhale. I remember standing in the woods, watching the light filter through the leaves and thinking if these old oaks could weather years of storms, so could I. Trees do not rush. They do not perform. They just exist. And that kind of energy is medicine.
What to do:
- Unplug your phone and your expectations
- Read something soul-filling by the fire
- Journal whatever comes up without judgment
- Take a long, aimless walk and listen to the rustling of the leaves.
Why it heals:
Nature does not require anything from you. It invites you to come as you are. When the world becomes too loud or the pain and frustration are too great, the stillness of the woods helps you remember who you are beneath the noise.
2. A Hot Springs Retreat, Let the Earth Hold You
For the body that’s exhausted and the heart that’s aching
Soaking in natural hot springs is like being held by the earth itself. The warmth seeps deep into your bones and tells your whole body that it is safe to let go. After loss, I remember how physically heavy grief felt. My shoulders always seemed to carry more than I could bear. Hot springs helped me release some of that weight.
What to do:
- Soak under the stars and breathe deeply
- Let the heat unwind your tension
- Sleep early without apology
- Reflect on what you have been holding onto and what you are ready to release
Why it heals:
The minerals in the water nourish your body, but the real gift is in how it slows you down. You feel held. Supported. Reminded that rest is not indulgent—it is essential.
3. A Slow Travel Weekend in a Small, Artsy Town
For the soul that craves inspiration and meaningful connection
This is not about sightseeing. It is about truly seeing. There is something magical about stepping into a town filled with charm, story, and slowness. I love wandering through quiet places with household tchotchkes, boutiques, and tucked-away cafés, where time feels a little less rushed. One of my favorite things to do is strike up a conversation with a stranger and hear a little piece of their story. Every time, I am reminded how similar we all are. The details may differ, but underneath it all, we are each just trying to find meaning, connection, and moments that feel real. These small towns help me remember that connection exists all around us.
What to do:
- Visit local shops and café
- Talk to people who live there and listen to their stories
- Write down what moves you, even if it does not make sense yet
- Let curiosity guide you
Why it heals:
Witnessing the beauty in someone else’s world opens your heart to wonder again. It reminds you that your story is not the only one, and somehow that makes the weight of your own story feel lighter.
4. A Mindful Movement and Breathwork Escape
For the mind stuck in overdrive and the heart begging for presence
Sometimes words are not enough. Sometimes your body needs to lead the way. Movement and breathwork helped me reconnect with emotions I didn’t know were living inside me to such an extent. I learned to let tears come without judgment, to shake off the fear, to breathe through the hard moments instead of resisting them.
What to do:
- Attend a weekend workshop for breathwork or mindful movement
- Move in ways that feel nurturing
- Let yourself release emotion without needing to explain it
- Allow your body to guide you back home
Why it heals:
The body holds onto pain and frustration until we help it release. When you stop trying to think your way through everything and start feeling your way forward, transformation begins. (It’s pretty cool if you ask me!)
5. A Personal Clarity Retreat, Designed by You
For the soul in transition, on the edge of something new
On the topic of stress, perhaps jaunting off to a retreat center sounds highly unlikely. If that’s the case, you just need space and intention. For years I took walks with my black labrador, Pepper, just to be alone, reflect, cry, dream, and listen (Pepper passed away recently and I miss these walks so much). Sometimes those moments of solitude were when I heard my own voice most clearly.
What to do:
- Pack your favorite books, candles, journal, and a soft blanket
- Ask yourself what you are no longer available for
- Visualize what you want to grow into
- Speak it aloud, even if you are not sure how to get there
Why it heals:
This is a space for you to remember your own strength. The answers do not usually come all at once. They arrive in whispers, and those whispers only come when you create space to hear them (it’s an incredibly special experience!).
Come Back to You
You do not need a luxury budget. You do not need permission from anyone else. What you do need is the willingness to say, “I matter,” and to act like it.
These weekends are not a luxury. They are a lifeline.
Because restoring your soul does not mean checking out of life. It means choosing to live it more fully. More intentionally. More awake.
Take the trip. Book the place. Cancel the noise.
You do not need a big budget to take care of yourself. Many of the most healing experiences cost very little or nothing at all. A walk through the trees, a quiet morning with a journal, a new town to explore with curious eyes, these are all ways to come back to yourself.
You have done enough. You are enough.
And it is time to come home, to yourself.
With love!
Dena