Escape to the Country.

As I'm writing this, sitting crosslegged in a armchair with laptop in check, donning my slouchiest pair of trackies and trying to stay focused on this post despite 'Star Trek' blaring in the background, it's safe to say I'm feeling pretty chillaxed. It's the end of the Easter bank holiday here in the UK and I know I'm not the only one who spent the break chilling out, catching up with some blog posts and my hefty list of YouTube subscriptions. Long weekends are just ideal for taking a breather and focussing on the things you love. For me, that means family, dog walks, and blogging - all encapsulated in our annual family trip to Norfolk.
This weekend got me thinking, life in London is so fast paced. Don't get me wrong, I'm so lucky to live in one of the greatest cities in the world but it can all get a bit overwhelming at times. Walking through the streets of central London is as beautiful as it is frustrating - nothing makes me more irrationally angry than getting stuck behind a group of hapless tourists! Which is exactly why I love our yearly trips to the North Norfolk countryside. It forces you to take a step back from city life and embrace a rural way of living - although our favourite hotspot, Burnham Market, is also known as 'Chelsea-on-Sea' so it's not all that removed from the city!
When you spend half of your time split between Southampton and London, the vast improvement in air quality when you're in the countryside really hits you. It makes you sleepy. Or maybe that's just the lack of coffee shops talking..! Either way, it's refreshing and crisp. You forget how much you love walking the dogs on the beach and you suddenly have all the time in the world to read again. Blog post ideas start popping into your head left, right, and centre and before you know it, your whole week ahead is filled with daily posts. In true blogger style, I get excited to whip out some new Spring wardrobe additions and try out some new Spring-inspired make-up.
But most of all, getting out of the city gives me some much-needed headspace. London is such a bubble - the bustling city feels like the epicentre of the universe. To be fair, it is my epicentre, my life is based there. It's all I know. London will always be home, no matter where I'm studying. But that doesn't mean I don't value our yearly Norfolk escape - the countryside gets me out of my head. It's designated time to relax and just enjoy time with my family, something I don't get to do a lot since starting at university last September. That's why Spring is one of my favourite times of year. The days are longer, the weather is brighter, and the change in season makes me feel generally more positive about life. And that's what the Easter break is for, right?