It’s the end of the school year for me. This means vacation time for a speech-language pathologist working in the public school system. The first week home was all about cleaning, organizing, wanting my children to do the same, cooking elaborate & healthy breakfasts for my family, attempt to garden, and repeat.

I quickly realized that I needed to get away. I didn’t want to go on a vacation where I would be busy, walking around and stimulate my mind, not right now anyways. We all know that sometimes when you go on vacation, you need a vacation from the vacation. I didn’t want this. I was looking to decompress. I was looking for a vacation where I could relax, still the mind, and enhance an overall experience of well-being while connecting with my spouse.

So off I went on a 6 day vacation to California at the Marriott Anaheim Hotel, a few blocks from Disneyland where while my husband worked during the day, I engaged in mindful relaxation. I wasn’t on a forced schedule, I wasn’t expected to do a thing. I was about to embark on the best vacation ever, (the stillness of the mind).

So what did I do?

• Slept 7-8 hours every night and enjoyed naps at times in the middle of the day with the balcony glass door wide open letting the calming breeze sweep in.
• Set my alarm to 7:30am every morning and went to the hotel gym.
• At the gym, I walked for 1 hour. I love walking. It’s not a chore. I’m not forced to do this. I enjoy it. I feel that I can truly breathe. I challenged myself and walked faster at an incline of 1.0 at a pace of 3.2 to 3.3 mph and reached my goal of 3 miles. (Honestly, I walked faster than when I jogged LOL) The gym had glass walls all around facing outside with plenty of sunshine. I felt like I walking outdoors. It even had a scenic view of a beach, sand, forest or city on the treadmill screen for an added motivation.
• I established a routine and after my workout, I would immediately go eat breakfast in the VIP lounge (an unexpected perk) of scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon and fruit with Starbucks coffee.
• I took long hot showers and did my hair daily without being on a time crunch, no pressure to be anywhere.
• I took my time choosing my daily outfits for comfort and style.
• I spent time in the balcony, just feeling the warmth of the sun and the breeze fanning my hair.
• I spent my day Reading, Reading, Reading from books on Spiritual Growth to Personal Development.
• I prayed and asked God for guidance + counsel in the Beauty of His Presence.
• I was quiet during the day. I didn’t say a word other than during prayer. I was still, quiet, and at peace.
• I walked around the hotel until I would find an isolated spot to blog on my computer and write.
• In the hotel room, I would watch some youtube videos on fascinating topics of interest.

  • Then read , read some more

• In the evening once my husband finished work, we would get dinner overlooking the city. I felt like a VIP. I’ve learned that it’s not always what you have or what you know , But who you know or like I like to say, “Divine connections”.
• I Held meaningful conversations with my husband without distractions, laughed, and enjoyed time together.
• I did some light shopping at the gift shop. I picked up dark chocolate, a California magnet, a tote bag, and a red Angel’s
  baseball cap.
• We walked out in the community to a local & popular ice cream shop. It gets cold here in the evenings so we walked to target and picked up a sweater for the chilly nights.
• I Held conversations and listened to stories from my husbands’ coworkers and employer.
• I lived in the moment all week long. I felt no anxiety. No urgency. I was off the clock!

So what was the Result of this Unplugged vacation getaway? I experienced a reduction of stress, appreciation for living in the moment, and a deeper connection with my husband. I also experienced an increase ability to focus and concentrate. I could show up for myself and be disciplined with my health by making ideal food choices and engage in fitness consistency. I could write & blog and have an outlet for my creative energy. I found my emotions regulated with a feeling of calm and balance. These simple mindful practices helped me reflect & connect with my goals, aspirations, and needs. I truly feel that I experienced personal growth and what truly makes me tick. This vacation was more than just a getaway. It was a retreat for my spirit, body, and soul.

Karly

Growing up with curly hair has been a blessing and curse. Sometimes I wake up and I’m in awe of the fullness , curves, springs and volume. Other times, I wake up and look in the mirror and all I see is a scared poodle. Things don’t always work out the way I want. I’ve come to love my curls and the variations that it gives me. Being a curly girl gives me the opportunity to be many women by simply, changing a style, blowing it out or using a flat iron. Whether going natural with rollers to using a wrap technique called the dooby to smooth it out. Whatever technique we curly girls have used, one thing is certain, the struggle is real.

Curly hair girls do’t just wake up and go! That’s not an option unlike what many people think. There’s thought and techniques involved. I have learned to embrace my hair in no matter what state it’s in. I’m also not bound to curls only. There are times I want my hair to feel a brush and smooth it out and there are times I want to set it free and be wild.

Being a curly girl to me means that I have options. No rules set in stone.

I have come to terms that are non-negotiable, the health of my hair is a priority. My hair is like a plant. It needs love, sunshine, and water.

So what does that mean? It means I want a simple product to aid in its beauty. Why do I have to use 3 to 4 different products, brushes, add techniques and diffuse the hair too. Can my hair be just as beautiful with 1 product? Do I need various brushes when I don’t even brush my hair. So here I am, breaking up with the standard and embarking on my hair journey to reduce breakage, to embrace my natural curls with 1 product.

I’ve decided to use a conditioner and finish with a few drop of grape seed oil with peppermint. I’m setting my hair free! Free to be be wild, bold, and beautiful. So what did I do: Tips & strategies (my hair type is 3a maybe some 2 C there as well blended.

#1 Your hair grows but you’re having a difficult time with hair retention: use conditioner first when you get in the shower, rinse, shampoo, condition, rinse. Comb hair in the shower only while using a slippery conditioner. I have noticed such a retention of hair doing this. I use to have lots of hair fall out during the process of washing because I was not gentle. Curly hair can break off easily because it gets tangled. This has been a game changer for me.

#2 Use 1 product: a leave in conditioner or conditioner with a slip in the shower with wet soaking hair. Use your fingers to apply all through out your hair. Start scrunching away excess. (And yes a good slippery conditioner works just like a leave in conditioner in my book.)

#3 Wrap a towel around your hair (any towel will do) put on your clothes and release the towel gently. Scrunch out extra water as this stimulates your curls.

#4 Let air dry , go outside in the sun and wind for a bit. The sun will give you vitamin D and or use a diffuser on low heat toward the end of drying your hair for a limited short time to speed the process.

#5 Minimal hair manipulation. Wear you hair down or in a low loose pony with a stretchy plastic band that doesn’t break your hair or wear a claw clip. Your hair doesn’t always have to be free and exposed.

#5 Sleep on a silk pillow case. Up loose or down but lift over pillow to rest. I personally do not like bonnets but you do you. I just don’t like it and the thought of it already makes me feel hot!!! No rules.

#6 Embrace some frizz. It’s beautiful. Try various styles to meet your needs. But you can always tame it with a spray bottle with water when you wake.

#7 Live, Love, and Laugh. You were designed to be different. Go shine curly girl, Go shine bright!

Love, Karly

A Curly Girl with Goals for natural beauty, strength, length, and hair retention while using 1 hair product and a few drops of oil.