Vacations That Don’t Restore You: The October Moment I Finally Exhaled

I’ve carried it all. When do I get to exhale?

You know how it goes: suitcase zipped, “out of office” switched on, and I tell myself this will finally be the trip where I rest. But somehow, I come back even more tired. Between keeping everyone happy, handling details, and answering messages that “just can’t wait,” I never actually put the weight down.

I still remember my first morning in Bali. Bare feet on cool stone, frangipani in the air, temple bells ringing in the distance. For the first time in years, I wasn’t rushing or multitasking. I just stood still and let my breath slow down.

And it hit me: true rest isn’t indulgence—it’s survival.

Signs You Need a Reset

I got so used to running on empty that it felt normal. But my body had its ways of telling me the truth.

• I’d collapse into bed exhausted but end up scrolling until midnight.

• My “time off” somehow turned into catch-up days full of errands.

• Even on vacation, my brain wouldn’t stop making lists.

• I felt guilty the moment I wasn’t being productive.

These weren’t flaws. They were signals—my body and spirit whispering: enough.

Why Typical Vacations Don’t Restore You

Here’s what I’ve realized: most vacations are built for distraction, not for restoration. Resorts keep us busy. Tours keep us moving. Social media keeps us comparing.

That’s why so many vacations don’t restore us. We change the scenery, but not the pace. We come back carrying the same heaviness we left with—sometimes even more.

Real rest isn’t about checking off attractions. It’s about creating space for quiet, ritual, and remembering who we are outside of all the doing.

How I Learned to Rest Without Guilt

This was my biggest challenge. I used to think, “I don’t even know how to stop.” Underneath that thought was fear—what happens if I’m not the strong one for once?

Here’s what I’ve learned: making myself a priority doesn’t take away from others. It gives them the best version of me.

Learning how to rest without guilt started with flipping the story. I wasn’t stepping away from my responsibilities—I was returning to them more grounded, more energized, and more present.

What Real Renewal Looked Like in Bali

Bali isn’t just another destination. It’s medicine.

Picture this: I woke to the sound of chanting instead of an alarm. I sipped warm ginger tea on a shaded veranda while the October light spilled over rice fields. I moved through daily rituals—water blessings, gentle yoga, time with my journal—that slowly peeled away layers of stress I didn’t even know I was carrying.

This wasn’t about escape. It was about remembering myself. The Sacred Soirée in Bali was designed for women over 40 who’ve given so much to everyone else… and are finally ready to receive.

Stories of Women Who Finally Exhaled

The first time I heard a woman say, “I didn’t realize how much I was holding until I finally put it down,” I knew this was why I created Sacred Soirée.

One traveler shared, “I came in brittle and left breathing again. I went home not just rested, but with practices I still carry every day.”

These experiences aren’t about luxury in the old sense. They’re about the freedom to finally be fully yourself again.

“I came in brittle and left breathing again.” — Kahri Phelps

Rest Ritual of the Month (October)

The 4-7-8 Breath
Before bed tonight, try this: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Do it four times. It’s simple, but it signals to your body that it’s safe to let go.

It’s one of the easiest ways to notice the signs you need a reset—because real rest always starts with your breath.

Ready for Your October Reset?

You’ve carried enough, beautiful.
If your body has been whispering “I need a pause,” this is your moment to finally listen.

Join me for the Sacred Soirée Bali: An Invitation to Exhale Webinar — a free, soul-centered conversation for women who do it all yet rarely get to exhale.

We’ll talk about:

• Why most vacations don’t restore you (and what does)

• How to build rituals of rest that last

• The truth about releasing guilt when you finally put yourself first

It’s time to reclaim your breath, your peace, and your presence.
Reserve your spot here,

Closing Reflection

I’ve been the strong one long enough. This is my invitation—to you and to myself—to finally exhale.

Not the sigh at a stoplight or the breath before bed—the deep, soul-level exhale that lets us come back to ourselves. Bali is waiting, and so is the Sacred Soirée, created for women who are ready to reset.

Spots are limited, and October won’t last forever. Start small with the Reset Journal. Join the webinar. And when it feels right, place your deposit. Your exhale is waiting.