What Every Woman Should Do

Take a trip to restore your soul

Cindy Shapiro
5 min readOct 17, 2023
Photo by Dim Hou on Unsplash

This summer, I discovered the best, most restorative way to travel: flying solo. As a wife, mom of two kids (plus three fur-babies), educator, and all of the things, I needed a big rest this past June. When our family plans fell through, I took the opportunity to strike out on my own.

Taking a trip by myself was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.

From navigating the terminal and security to choosing my seat on the plane, I made every decision without compromise, without complaint. I saw what I wanted or needed to do, and I did it.

On the plane, there were no snacks to distribute, no squabbles to set right, and I claimed an armrest all to myself. I could choose to read, write a letter, play games on my phone, all in relative silence. I could also choose to do nothing, which is what I opted to do. How often does a working mom of two get to do absolutely nothing? The occasion is rare, and so I relished the opportunity.

When I arrived in Panama City Beach, I got my rental car and marveled at the sky. A storm was churning up from the Gulf, and the bulky, low-hanging clouds were ominous. As sheet lightning illuminated the sky, I ran for my car and began to drive towards my destination.

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Cindy Shapiro

Cindy Shapiro is long-time teacher living in Colorado. As a writer, she aims to elevate teachers’ voices and provide insight on issues in education.