What Our Vacation Choices Reveal About What We Need Most

I don’t know if it’s the cold weather, shorter days, or simply that reflective time of year, but lately I’ve been thinking a lot about vacationing.

When I was younger, I had more of a sense of adventure and leaned toward action-oriented travel. Cities, mountains, new cultures — as long as it was an adventure, I was interested. I loved the energy and novelty of it all.

As I’ve gotten older, something has quietly shifted. These days, what calls to me most is a simple beach setting.

For a while, I wrestled with that — it felt like I was becoming less interesting or missing out on something. But eventually, I realized this change wasn’t about losing my sense of adventure; it was about listening to what I truly need right now.

When I thought about it through a neuroscience lens, it made sense. My nervous system doesn’t crave constant stimulation the way it once did — it craves restoration.

I find peace in rhythm and predictability, in the familiar comfort of waves meeting the shore. The beach’s steady horizon mirrors the steadiness I try to cultivate in daily life.

There’s something deeply restorative in sensory simplicity — the warmth of sand, the sound of water, the slower rhythm of days. It’s almost like mindfulness in motion.

I’ve come to see that how we choose to rest is one of the most honest reflections of who we are and what we need most in this season of life. There’s no right way to recharge — only what’s true for you.