I have recognized the need to have something that symbolizes an escape from the rest of the world more and more these past couple of weeks. The passing of my grandfather has understandably affected everyone in my family and we are all trying to get by the best we can. We all cope differently and our emotions also feed off one another.

It is so important to have something, someone, or some place to go that symbolizes an escape. I never treat myself to anything but a couple weeks ago I bought myself a Lily Pulitzer planner that I absolutely love. I was saving it to give to myself as a present for the New Year but when I heard my grandfather’s fall was more serious than we originally thought, I just started writing in it. I also pulled out this huge sticker book a friend of mine had bought me and was using it with the agenda book. There were so many sections to this notebook and so many colors that I thought I needed to take the time to really come up with a plan on how I was going to organize everything. But that night I realized this was my book that I desperately needed and however I ended up using it would be perfect. It has helped me so much since that night.

I also joined my local YMCA and have been using their fitness center. Exercising has always been my way of feeling more focused and in control. It has been a great place for me to go this past week as a way to get out of the house and kind of escape what is going on in my life for a little while.

I think even having a person in your life who you can talk to about nothing that takes your mind off of whatever is going on in your life is an incredibly valuable asset. That person becomes the “escape” in a way.

The more I thought about this topic this week the more I realize just how crucial having a person, place or thing that represents some sort of “escape” is for anyone. We all have stresses, worries and things we need to get away from. It isn’t healthy to be dealing with something nonstop if there is an option to break away from it for a little while.