There's No Place Like Home

The past two weeks or so have been hectic and stressful for me. School work, planning my dad's surprise 50th party and traveling out-of-state has consumed my life, causing my brian to feel full of choatic clutter.

Throughout the process of these events, one thing stood out in my thoughts: I could not wait to be home. I have often heard people say that when they begin to feel overwhelemed, the best way to relieve those stresses is to go on a vacation. They want a chance to "get away from it all." However, one of my favorite places to "take a break" is my own home.

Seeking comfort in my home environment is often more relaxing for me than taking a weekend or even weeklong vacation. There is something calming and soothing about being in your own bed sleeping, or cuddled up on your own couch with a blanket and a good book.

One of the ways I am able to relax in my home is by keeping the things that calm my streeses nearby. Each room in my house is decorated with candles, and I have blankets thrown over the couch and at the end of each bed. I keep my kitchen spotless. It's these little things that help calm my nerves the moment I walk through the door.

In one of my favorite movies, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy says, "There's no place like home."

I think all of us feel a bit like Dorothy. When day-to-day life gets in our way, being home helps take that "edge" off. When I feel overwhelmed, the best (and cheapest!) vacation I take is in my own home.