48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

In the Bleak Midwinter: A Time of Reflection

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2015 was a year of hustling. To be fair, every year in recent memory could be summarized as such, but these past 12 months in particular felt like I’d get two steps ahead only to fall five steps behind. It’s invigorating. It’s stressful. It’s beguiling.

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

Already, not even midway through the first month of the year, I feel like I’m moving ahead at warp speed, even after having quit my part-time job (which actually has relieved the bulk of my stress)—which is why our two nights on the Washington coast were so, so needed.
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

This whole trip was orchestrated by Kent and Caanan who began plotting when they came out to see us in June for Bonnaroo. With a schedule that makes ours look stationary, their own limited time on the ground in Seattle was startlingly tricky to coordinate with our own free periods, which is how we eventually settled on the stretch between Christmas and New Year’s Eve when the professional world is still relatively quiet (or rather, permanently out to lunch until after ringing in the new year).

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

Not only are these boys of ours self-proclaimed human truth serum—truer words have never been spoken; they’re the type of people to whom you want to confess your deepest, darkest secret (FINE: I used to swipe Brach’s caramels from Kroger’s when I was six years old and hide them under my sister’s car seat; I CONFESS ALL)—they’re also medicine for the soul; SVV and I both knew there was no better way to close out one year and prepare for the next than with a creative retreat with this fit and fabulous pair.

https://www.camelsandchocolate.com/2015/06/best-of-bonnaroo-2015/

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

The mornings were spent working in relative silence from our cozy coastal cabin; even when you’re not speaking, there’s a certain level of comfort that stems from sharing a space with people that emit such radiant light and positive energy.

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

And as soon as we’d get cabin fever, SVV and I would grab the camera and hit the beach. Because seriously, was there ever a more perfect setting for a carefree photo shoot?

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

Our time on the coast helped me have my own come-to-Jesus with what I need to do going forward. Though I’ve never been one to adopt a focus word for the year like many of my writing peers, I’ve decided that—true to my loquacious form—this is the year I adopt several focus words.

Create. Commit. Take a step back. Pay attention.

We hear these words all the time, and yet it takes going off the grid—in my case, being without a functioning Wi-Fi signal—to actually implement such concepts foreign to those of us who grew up in the Digital Age.

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

When you work in a profession like media, people seem to always want to utilize your services and skillset for free. While I’m always more than happy to help out a friend or share career tips via this site, ultimately I just can’t keep responding in length to the dozens of emails I receive a month soliciting my help for something or another, particularly the ones who want to take me for coffee to “pick [my] brain.” The problem is that I feel guilty when I can’t help someone the way they want to be helped, but ultimately, it’s all getting a bit too much—this is the year I’m putting me first. And that’s OK (I think).

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

That’s not to say I’m going to stop responding to reader emails—I love hearing from folks! particularly when it’s some off-the-wall topic like a cool chocolate brand you’ve discovered in Europe (have I mentioned I’m kind of obsessed with chocolate?) or that you came to Nashville and used my tips and had the best time ever. I will never tire of these kinds of notes and happily spout of my own random musings in return when I have a spare moment (give me some time, though; my inbox is my most constant source of stress).

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

But I’m also going to stop beating myself up about not writing every person back immediately who reaches out with a question or proposal for collaboration, not being a guru for every budding journalist, not being everything to everyone. It’s not worth the pressure I put on myself, and it’s not fair to SVV and Ella who deserve my attention when we are all together.

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

Washington coast

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

This year, I’m also clearing out the clutter, both in work and in friendships. I’m pursuing the things and people that matter most to me; I’m not taking every opportunity that comes along, but rather those that just feel right and are mutually beneficial. It seems so obvious, doesn’t it? And yet, I’d venture to say it’s simple advice we’re all guilty of not taking. I know I’m not the only one drowning in commitments, but I’m also guilty of bringing it all upon myself and not nipping it in the bud when I can. I vow to get better about all of that.

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

Sometimes all you really need is space, whether physical, emotional or a combination of the two, to refocus your efforts and channel your energy toward the things that are most important—and sometimes you need friends like the NVR Guys to help you do just that.

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

Thank you, Washington, for being the breath of fresh air (oftentimes, literally) I needed to recharge and kick off this year with passion. You never fail to enchant me and leave me inspired.

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach
48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

This is what I want out of these next 12 months. How about you? What goals have you set for yourself for 2016?

48 Hours on the Washington Coast | Visiting Copalis Beach

COMMENTS
  • January 14, 2016

    Nice photos! I enjoyed reading this post and loved how you arranged the photos in such a way that they give this great sense of your movement throughout the past year! Very vivid and dynamic 🙂

    • January 14, 2016

      Thank you so much, Allegra! The new web design takes me about double the time it used to just to write/publish a post as there’s a lot of coding involved on my end, but I am really happy with the results and do think it’s worth the extra effort 😉 I love having different layout options to play with in hopes of achieving that very effect!

  • January 14, 2016

    I can relate to so much of this (as you know from our own conversations) and I love your goals/mantras that you’ve set for yourself this year. Now I want to put my own goals down to 3 or 4 words, too, to help really identify and stay true to them. Always an inspiration!

    • January 14, 2016

      Well, V3 inspires me, too (especially #KidAugustine with her wardrobe…that baby knows how to dress!). We can have a creative retreat with your family come March and talk about allll the things over booze (since you’ll be drinking again! woohoo!).

  • January 14, 2016

    I get an increasing number of emails every week, from readers who find me one way or another and require extensive consultations they are unwilling to pay. Or, they say they would hire me as a consultant, then “accidentally” drop the questions hoping I may answer, and whenever I say I am making a note of them and will answer during our session, they disappear. People just assume that because it is online, it is free. Which is true: whatever I write is freely accessible for them to read. But if they want a detailed itinerary, I can’t just devote hours of my time in exchange of a thank you. I don’t pay bills with thank yous!

    Then, there’s the marketing companies in (bad) disguise who want to place spammy sponsored posts on my blog. With content which is “absolutely relevant” to my site, my style and its audience. Given that I mostly write on Latin America, that my posts are about responsible and adventure travel, and that I never write a post that is less than 1500 words, I am still wondering how a post of 300 words on Las Vegas and gambling is relevant. Oh, did I mention that post had 4 spammy links in it?

    I just laugh at these. And delete.

  • January 14, 2016

    I feel like I spent most of 2015 priming to make very similar changes in 2016, particularly in regards to relationships, although that wasn’t on purpose. I realized as I was trying to figure out what made me happy and what self-care looked like that it wasn’t just certain habits that weren’t serving me, it was certain people too. Absolutely a hard change to make.

  • January 14, 2016
    Jere

    So good Kristin! I started at the end of last year putting my phone away and taking social media apps off my phone. I do it for a living and need a break. My words for this year are Healing from a rough 2015 and Travel, something I only dream about. Hope you have a great year!

  • January 15, 2016

    I’m discovering the need to say no. In jumping in the deep end in August as a full-time freelancer I took most good writing jobs I could get. Now, I’m swimming in them. So, so thankful. And I want to do them all, but I can’t. It’s time to cut the fat, even if it’s lean fat. This was good timing to read, just hours after I sent a requested proposal to another potential client.

    • January 21, 2016

      Exactly! Once you get your confidence level up, you start to feel out what’s a good fit and what isn’t (not to mention, what’s worth the money and what’s more time than it’s worth).

  • January 15, 2016

    Yes. It is Absolutely. Totally Ok. to put yourself first. And don’t you feel a damn bit of guilt for doing so.

    Funny, I was reading your post and looking at all of the beautiful pictures, and it made me smile A) Because these are wonderful mantras to bring on for the new year and 2) Because I was just working on my own mantra post, which has similar nuggets in it.

    You got this, girl.

  • January 15, 2016
    Mister Sister

    Why do I feel like K&C are always working out!?

    • January 21, 2016

      Because they. never. stop. EVER.

  • January 15, 2016

    Mostly this year, I want to find or plant some roots. I’m feeling very upheaved (that’s not a word…is it…) and I want some kind of consistency to give me a base to jump from and return to.

    xox

    • February 2, 2016

      I feel ya, girl. With my constant state of transience, I’m trying to stay home more this year. It’s hard to be in flux all the time. I thrive on routine.

  • January 16, 2016

    “Create. Commit. Take a step back. Pay attention”. What a great choice of focus words! I can mostly relate to “Pay Attention”, how often do we rush through life trying to go to the next big thing without paying attention at what we’re doing at the moment. This is why I’ll focus my travel attention on the Netherlands this year. A country which I believe deserves my attention after I have neglected it all my life!

    • February 2, 2016

      I love that! Since moving back to TN four years ago, I’ve been doing predominantly US travel (with one to two international trips a year), and I love getting to explore more of my own country for a change!

  • January 18, 2016

    It’s amazing what a little time off the grid can do for you. I cherish my backcountry trips for the same reason!

    Meditation seems to be a big trend recently – I’ve been attending a meditation center for a while now, and our open houses got really crowded after New Years! It’s really a great way to create some space in your head.

    • February 2, 2016

      Good for you! I’ve tried meditation but can’t seem to ever get out of my own head. Working out, however, allows me a much-needed mental reset, which is why I feel like a crazy person if I skip a day at the gym!

  • February 1, 2016

    I love your blog is so different you are a incredible writer that open your heart in every story

    • February 2, 2016

      You are so kind, Izy! Thank you for making my day and for the very sweet words.

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