Vlog | This is 30

Ushering in the Decade at the Catskills

I turned 30 in February. I was asked a few times leading up to this birthday how I felt about it. In the back of my mind, I felt a bit of worry and dread. There was that nagging feeling of "being behind" or somehow not where I should be (whatever that means). But most of all, the negativity was lost in the blanket of burnout. I was slogging through.

In the past few years, I've heard people wax poetic about their 30s. If their 20s were full of struggle and uncertainty, their 30s were full of self-assurance and security.

I spent my 20s always chasing something, literally and figuratively. I wanted to start this new decade on a different note, one that was less about chasing and more about stopping and smelling the roses. I want to slow down, pause, and breathe. Figure out who I am now and who I want to be. And hopefully, document it as much as my bandwidth allows me to.

So, with all that in mind, I decided to spend my birthday weekend in the Catskills.

Mini-Review of Piaule

The cabins at Piaule are compact yet cozy. The large window offered stunning views of the surrounding mountains (a few trees dead to Winter). Piaule describes itself as a "landscape hotel." I'd say it delivered on that in and outside its rooms.

It was a pricey getaway, but I found what I needed there. A pause. A reset. A place to shepherd in my 30s without all the dread of feeling like I'm falling behind.

Check it out if you've got a few bucks to spare and love nature spaces (and spas).

I spent most of my spa day in the hot pool and mineral plunge, taking the time to pause and simply enjoy the view.

The weekend and time to connect with my partner was much needed. And the perfect way to welcome to my 30s.