Late last week, my husband and I headed off for what I'm now calling Moss Girl Weekends. We used to be the kind of people who a week-long vacation, usually to an all-inclusive resort, at least once a year. The last time I did that was 2023, when I slipped and obliterated my knee, and that, mixed with being laid off shortly after, has put me off the experience.
But my husband works a stressful job that requires him to be on a lot. And I'm still rebuilding my life after burnout, and a key part of that is making sure I take time away consistently.
So, Moss Girl Weekend has been born. The idea is just a staycation, but one where the only goal is to rest. I don't book fancy dinners like I normally would. We don't make plans to go out and explore. It's show up, get a cocktail, and mentally check out.
A big part of being able to not burnout again for me is building in these micro-retreats. They don't need to be anything special. I have a preference for a place with a restaurant or bar on-site, so I don't have to leave. But sometimes, like this time, we pop into the nearest town for something easy, like pizzas. No big goals other than letting ourselves quietly reset. Just taking a few days to have no responsibility is what keeps me mentally well.
It took trial and error to get me here though, and to figure out what I needed. For a long time, I thought I needed more excitement. I missed that GO, GO, GO lifestyle I had when I was working full time. But it's become more and more obvious that my body craves peace. It heals in peace. Peace is what allows me to continue to pour my energy into others.
Healing from burnout means that you get to rewrite your script, and decide how to build a life that supports you.
If you're looking to learn how to scaffold your life, and build out the future you want,
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A focused working session where we untangle what’s actually happening in your career, business or just life right now and map out your next steps. Good for people navigating layoffs, pivots, or big decisions who feel mentally overloaded.
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A short-term support option if you need someone thinking alongside you while you rebuild. This is for people who don’t want “coaching,” but do want structured conversation, reflection, and decision-sorting.
Group Clarity Sessions
A lower-cost monthly space where people can bring one messy situation they’re trying to think through and leave with clearer next steps.
For your viewing pleasure, an example itinerary:
Thursday:
Donuts for breakfast. Pastries. Whatever treat you enjoy.
Packing, you don't need much!
Head out for 3:00 pm check in
Check in. Head to the restaurant/bar. Order a beverage of your choice, and read/people watch depending on your mood.
After a bit, head back to your room, for robe time.
Lounge in the robe until you're ready to eat. We do cheeseburgers as room service.
Eat, relax, rest. Go to sleep as early as you want.
If you are a room service person, we've ordered bagels and coffee/tea ordered to the room for 8 am, then do a larger brunch or early lunch later when we're up and moving.
Friday:
Hot beverages, ideally on a balcony, but anywhere quiet will do.
Breakfast of your choice.
Nap.
Read, relax, lounge.
Dinner of some sort.
More relaxing, but this time knowing when you wake up in the morning you're going back to your cats or other beloveds.
Saturday:
Now, I am a wake up early and get back to my cats early, but you can linger as long as you like. Maybe take the long route home. Stop at a plant nursery. LINGER. You deserve it.
When I got home, I did my groceries for the week, and was able to spend Sunday doing my normal rituals. It was a great way to take a 4 day weekend, I highly reccommend.
Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.
What I'm Reading, Eating, Playing, Obsessing, Recommending and Treating.
Reading: I am about halfway done with The Honey Witch! I rarely read fiction, but I grabbed this cozy romance novel for our weekend. Very cute, very cozy.
Eating: Cheeseburgers in paradise. The first night were in, we ordered room service of bacon cheeseburgers, fries, and the classic zesty Diet Coke.
Playing: I'm still working on the same dress in sewing, but I am very delighted at the progress I'm making. I'll be going back to sewing class on Tuesday, to hopefully finish it.
Obsessing: Remember back on the Spring Solstice when I saw this bunny? Well, I saw him again on the full moon on April 1st. It feels like a sign!
Recommending: A Moss Girl Weekend! Even if you can't get away, make sure you're using your vacation time. You deserve rest. You deserve to mentally check out on a regular basis.
Treating: Myself to this delightful metal porch goose from the thrift store. I'm obsessed. Friends have suggested dressing them up, and another suggested I do a topiary. I'm deeply considering both.
An April Reading:
I pulled this reading on Sunday, April 5th, at 11:17 am. It was a general request for an April reading for my newsletter subscribers.
Queen of Wands
Two of Pentacles
Page of Wands
The queen of wands is focused on her creativity and plans for the future. As we look forward to spring beginning to blossom, we can lean into the rhythm and natural balance of nature.
The two of pentacles reminds us that life is a balancing act. To find harmony and peace, we have to constantly be reassessing the weight of what we're carrying. If we pay attention to our needs, we can continue to build the balance that we so desire.
And with the page of wands, we know that good news is on the way this month. Where are you hoping to hear something positive?
With that, I'll end this week. Wishing you peace in a not so peaceful time. May your spring be abundant.
xoxo
Jessica
