The Long Break
If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know that paddle boarding has become a big part of my routine. It’s something I look forward to every week, something that helps me slow down and reset.
But this winter in Florida has been colder than usual. Between the chilly weather, early sunsets, and constant wind, getting out on the water has been much harder than I expected.
The last time I paddled was on Christmas Day. The water was calm and full of manatees, gently gliding under the surface like slow-moving shadows. It was one of those perfect paddles where everything feels peaceful and effortless.
And then the weather changed.
Before winter arrived, I was often able to paddle two or three times a week. Suddenly, weeks went by without being able to go at all.
Missing the Water
I didn’t realize how much paddle boarding had become part of my life until it disappeared from my routine.
Being out on the water helps me feel calm and centered in a way that few other things do. There’s something about the quiet, the movement of the board, and the rhythm of the paddle that slows my mind down.
Without those hours on the water, it felt like something was missing.
Watching the Weather and Waiting
For weeks, I found myself checking the weather forecast almost every day.
Some days the temperature was warm enough, but the wind would be too strong. Other days the wind looked promising, but the temperatures dropped again.
There were mornings when the sun came out and I thought, Maybe today.
But then the wind would pick up again and the window would close.
I kept waiting.
Valentine’s Day: The Window Finally Opened
On Valentine’s Day, the weather finally cooperated.
The wind was calm. The temperature was warm enough. The kind of day that makes you want to be outside.
And for the first time in weeks, I carried my board back to the water.
There’s always a small moment before you push off where you pause, steady yourself, and take that first stroke. After being away from it for so long, it felt especially good to be back.
The Feeling of Being Back
I had a brief thought that maybe I had forgotten how to paddle board after such a long break.
But as soon as I started moving, my body remembered the rhythm.
Within minutes, I felt my shoulders relax and my breathing slow. The quiet of the water wrapped around me again, familiar and calming.
It was like my body had been waiting for this.
And then, just beneath the surface, I noticed them again.
Manatees.
They drifted slowly under the water, barely moving, their massive shapes gliding peacefully beneath my board. Seeing them never gets old.
In that moment, everything felt exactly the way it was supposed to.
What the Break Taught Me
Being away from paddle boarding for almost two months deepened my appreciation for it.
It had quietly become one of the ways I take care of myself. Being outside, moving slowly through the water, noticing wildlife and the changing sky; it all brings a kind of calm that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
Sometimes we don’t realize how much something nourishes us until it’s taken away for a while.
The Bigger Reflection
My Valentine’s Day wasn’t dramatic. There were no fancy plans or big celebrations.
But gliding across the water again felt like the perfect way to spend it.
Sometimes the things that bring us the most joy are simple. A quiet morning. A familiar rhythm. Returning to something that helps us feel like ourselves again.
And sometimes, the best reminder of what we love comes after a little time away.
💌 Your Turn
Is there something in your life that you didn’t realize how much you needed until you couldn’t do it for a while? Feel free to share in the comments.
If you’re ready to take your own gentle first step, I’d love to invite you to subscribe to my newsletter. You will receive a free download of my 5-Day Self-Care Reset Plan. It’s a simple way to start making space for yourself again, in just five minutes a day.
Feel free to visit my Etsy shop for resources to help you on your journey. I also have a free private self-care interactive Facebook group for women that you can join here.
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