Well, it’s that time of year again. Leaves are falling, pumpkins are decorating front porches, and spiced lattes and stews galore are on the menu. It sounds idyllic, right? It’s the quintessential Fall in New England. We always struggle with the question of when to schedule hauling the boat out. While it’s tough to give up these last days on the water, you realize that, in a minute, the temperature can drop—and with that, put you in a dicey situation when it comes to winterizing. If you do it too soon, you miss out on the lifestyle you love. If it’s too late, you risk burst water lines.
Isn’t that true in life, too? We always want to extend the moments that bring us joy.
Let’s be honest. We all need to haul out every now and then. As we tend to live our lives under full sail—and sometimes in questionable weather—there will always be something that tears and breaks. While we tend to make minor modifications to patch things up and keep going, neglecting your vessel can lead to bigger problems. What if you took the time to haul out and tend to those repairs? If you do it meticulously, with thought and planning, I think you’d be surprised at the peace it brings. Instead of racing to the destination under stress, a leisurely ride on a healthy boat is much more enjoyable.
When you’re not worrying about what’s not working, you breathe easier and take in the view. You enjoy the lapping of the water on the hull, rather than the clanging of loose parts underneath it. I took a moment like this for myself the other day. I was running at full speed, working on three different recipes for the blog at once. While I thought I was multitasking like a boss, I was, in fact, creating chaos. The kitchen was a mess, I didn’t pay attention to which butter I pulled (maple butter on a gruyere grilled cheese with French onion soup is not good!), and I ended up spending more time and money fixing mistakes than I should have. I was left frustrated and exhausted. I needed a time-out.
The next day, I shelved everything and headed to the boat with a book. I exchanged my to-do list for a nothing-to-do list. I sat in the unseasonably warm sun, read, napped, caught up with friends, and reset. I came home with my mind and soul mended, feeling sturdier to continue my voyage. I now know that if I hadn’t taken time for my own repairs, I’d be looking at bigger and more costly ones in the future.
Don’t put off going up in the slings every once in a while. Get that massage, treat yourself to your favorite takeout, sit and talk to your friends—in person or over a long phone call, not just quick one-liners. Go outside to enjoy the foliage instead of just raking it up. We’ll all get to where we need to be, but remember, it’s okay if it takes a little longer to get there.
