Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Do you know how frustrating it is that people think they know what is best for me?

Like this break that I have decided to take.

My goal is literally to take about five months off.

A gap in my work history. 
A chance at a little lifesaving freedom from the mundane. 
A chance to heal my back and clear out the layers of cobwebs that have accumulated in my head over the years. 
A vacation to enjoy having no responsibilities, no plans, no expectations. 
To do exactly what I want to do, which is I don’t want to do anything at all.

Yet this whole time others look at me like I have made a mistake and insinuating, your opinion is more important than my very being. That has been screaming for the last few years I just want to rest.

Go on and continue believing that you know what I need to be doing, because at least I have chosen to put my life first.

— Nicole Barden 5/25/2021

Originally published in Blue Insights on Medium