This time of the year in the Northeast of the United States can be the toughest!  The days are getting longer, but it is still so incredibly cold.  As a teacher, I am always so grateful for this week in February, though, because we have arrived at what is known as Winter Recess.  It is a time for relaxation, and to regroup.

In the past, there have been Winter Recesses where my family and I have travelled to warmer climates to escape this bitter cold.  Living here, the allure of  tropical breeze is infectious!  This, however is not one of those years.  Instead, my family is staying put.  While I might like to spend my Winter Recess in a warm spot under the sun, I have discovered that I am just as happy staying home this time.  Here are a couple of reasons why:

1.  This is a fantastic opportunity to catch up on some reading.  If I were away at a resort somewhere, I would feel the need to get out and experience the area.  Take in the sights and sounds of wherever we were.  There is a lot of benefit to that, but I am finding that this year of all years, I feel the need to be a bit more introspective.

2.  This is a fantastic opportunity to catch up on some writing.  As you can see, I am at this moment writing  new blog post.  This post will be followed by some writing and editing for a contest I am considering entering.  We’ll see how that works out, but at least I have the time to get into it.  🙂

It may sound silly, but I never thought I would feel like this about staying home on a vacation.  My family tend to like to “get out of Dodge” at any opportunity.  But this year we will be staying here in the cold Northeast, reading, and catching up on our own things.  And there is a great value in that as well. This year more than any other, I have felt the urge to write more than ever before.  And I am happy that my schedule allows for that at this particular point of the year.

Happy Winter Recess!