I woke up this morning, and just about every other post across my social feeds was all ‘Back to School’ focused. This time of year is always like another New Years. The end of one chapter, the beginning of the next. The end of summer, the beginning of fall. As a kid, it’s a new grade, new teacher, new lessons, sometimes new friends. As a parent, potentially an emptier house with more free time for projects or work. My boyfriend’s schedule suddenly gets filled with work as a new basketball season begins. For me… well I’m not really sure what back to school means for me this year.

I’ve been out of school now for… 9 years (wrting that kinda hurt my soul a little…..). How it’s been 9 years, I have no idea. I graduated university with such high hopes and ambitions. No real direction, but so much potential for what life was going to bring me. I remember going home that summer, determined to work the summer away so I could move myself to the big city. Even though I wasn’t entirely sure what to do with my business degree, I knew I wanted to be where there was the most potential. Toronto kinda sucked me in, and I’ve basically been a city girl ever since.

It wasn’t until this past summer that I realized how much I missed that summer vacation vibe. That feeling of taking a break and fully embracing summer like I did when I was a kid. After living a lifestyle that no longer left room for an official summer break, I’d kind of  forgotten how it felt.

This year, my boyfriend and I made a point to take a week at the end of July, and get out of the city. Take a break from the hustle and bustle. Take a break from the continuous demands of living in a city that never seems to stop, and just… stop. I’m so thankful that after years being invited, my aunt’s invitation to her partner’s family cottage was still open, and that at the end of July, she had room for two. We rented a car, packed up, and left for the cottage down by Lake Erie for 5 days. After that we drove a few hours and spent a day out in Tobermory (I had never been), and then finished our week off on Wasaga beach before heading home.

There are so many beautiful details about our trip that made everything perfect, but the best part about that week, was how it made me feel. I LOVE living in the city, but taking a week off, close to where I grew up, seeing family on the regular, forgetting about my makeup bag, barely even putting on shoes…It’s probably the happiest I’ve felt in years. An entire week without worries, without a schedule, and the only thing on my to-do list was spending time with people I love. I had a moment while we were driving home, reflecting on how our week had been, that I realized I hadn’t enjoyed a summer like this since I was a kid. Honestly, that realization made me.. and still makes me, emotional.

So I guess ‘Back to School’ is a bit of a reflection time for me. Not necessarily a new beginning, or any big changes. But time to be thankful for time spent, and perhaps more aware of how time is passing. And as I’m writing this, also realizing that it’s about time I get ready to go back to work.. but nothing new there. The food service industry doesn’t really get a break.. until I make it rich and famous…

….this blurb has been brought to you by, The Tallest Mermaid: blogging sporadically since Feb 2016, and only really NOW, tapping into some real feelings.

Happy September friends ❤