For the love of all that is holy, make time to take a break. Your brain and body will thank you later.

For the first time in my V1 career, I think, I took more than one day off in a row. (This is not a flex. There is just that much work to do and I’m a specific kind of nutso.)

My partner and I spent about three-and-a-half days up north, past Superior, in the sweetest A-frame rental on a private patch of wooded land. The stars were incredibly bright. The closest grocery store was 45 minutes away. A handful of bar-and-grill joins were within a 15-minute drive. I said “God, I love Wisconsin” at least a dozen times (partially due to the latter).

There’s a lot of good happening in the Eau Claire area (and a lot of not-so-good happening in the world) but I have been craving peace and quiet and more than a few unplugged moments, for months. (My man, too, felt this way.)

It was, indeed, quiet. The sound of wind through crisp leaves and wildlife scampering in the woods was the soundtrack of my weekend. Our agenda was short, filled with time to lounge, book and antique store visits, and more time to lounge.

It was a necessary reminder that we all probably need (desperately need, even) more time to be quiet. To unplug. To breathe in the outdoors.

The only thing that could have made the trip better was if our cat, Benson, wasn’t horrified of car rides, wind, shadows, etc. I got my fill, though, thanks to this issue’s “Pet Project” section, which features more than a few furry friends. Get yours on p. 44 in print, or online at VolumeOne.org.