30A Beach Vacay

Y’all. I haven’t had an honest to goodness vacation in like… 2 years. That’s not even an exaggeration. The only trips I’ve taken have been for work, and while there was fun stuff on those, there was definitely very little relaxing going on. So this week has been soooo nice and very needed. I’m not answering any work-related emails and barely answering texts unless they’re from friends or family (and not work-related). It’s been a good long while since I did that and it. feels. good. (Okay, I have some guilt for not answering emails, but I’m ignoring it.)

I’ve been visiting this area of Florida with my immediate family since I was a kid (early teens, probably), and at that point it didn’t seem like it was super well known, but now when I tell people I’m going to the Gulf Coast near Panama City, they’re all like: Ohhhh, you mean 30A?? Well, yes, as it happens, that’s exactly what I mean. For anyone not familiar with the area, it’s basically a long stretch of highway laden with beach communities ranging from normal-people-budget to Jay-Gatsby-budget. There’s also loads of restaurants and shops, most of which are just fun to look around in and experience (because I don’t know about you, but I am NOT in a position to drop $1000 on a minimally detailed sun dress). But there’s something nice about just browsing bougey shops with absolutely no intention of buying anything, then stopping to enjoy a glass of wine somewhere because you actually have the time. Plus, the last couple times I came down here, my husband couldn’t come with me, so him being here this time makes it extra nice.

I think as a teenager (and even into my 20s), the quality of a trip was measured in how much loot you managed to come away with. Anyone else? It was about the food and the beach, yes, but if I didn’t come back with most of my late summer and fall wardrobe in tow, it wasn’t a successful trip. And maybe it has something to do with different financial goals or allocation of funds or something, but aside from one medium-sized purchase at the Kate Spade outlet (because I have to do some shopping, ya feels?), I’m really enjoying having experiences with my husband and with my family on this trip. Yesterday, we walked around Rosemary Beach (which, if you haven’t been there, looks like it could have been carved out of an Italian hamlet and dropped in Florida); we browsed some shops and bookstores, and then sat at a little tapas/wine bar called La Crema, shared a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, and talked for a while. After that, we shopped for seafood, came home, and made dinner. Teenage me might not have appreciated that so much (least of all the wine part, lol), but 31-year-old me sure as hell does.

So my big takeaway here (not that you always have to have a big takeaway from vacation, but I’m feeling philosophical so just go with it), especially if you’re a really busy, driven person, is to take time for yourself once in a while. Give yourself permission to see the emails, but not answer them, spend your money on experiences rather than just stuff (which let’s be honest, you probably could buy at home or online anyway), have that extra piece of chocolate or that glass of wine with lunch, and laugh your ass off while playing Bards Dispense Profanity (assuming you like Shakespeare and have a wicked sense of humor). And, if you’re like me and have a tendency to answer text messages whether you’re on the clock or not, have enough respect for yourself and your personal time to take a deep breath and tell people you’re on vacation and you’ll get back to them later. Like the Charlie Mars song says, “In the end, most things will be okay.”

xoxo
Laura

This is a street in Rosemary Beach. Does this not look like it could have been lifted out of Italy— or, at the very least, Disney World?! I can’t even.