It was my birthday.
No big party. No plans. No loud music or crowded places. This year, I chose calm. I just wanted a quiet day to reflect, breathe, and enjoy the little things.
I booked a staycation with an oceanfront view. Just me and the sea. There was something about waking up to the sound of waves that instantly put me at ease.
Scenic drive through the coast. Windows down, music up, and nothing but beauty ahead.
Later, I took a scenic drive through Monterey and Carmel. Windows down, fresh air in, soft music playing. The views were beautiful. Rolling hills, cliffs meeting the ocean, and that peaceful vibe I couldn’t find in the city.
I had lunch at an ocean-view restaurant. Simple, delicious food, and the kind of view you didn’t need to talk over. I just sat, ate, and took it all in.
Lunch with a view, and nothing else on my mind.
After that, I wandered around the little town in Carmel. I popped into a few shops and walked slowly, with no rush.
I also visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was surprisingly relaxing. Watching sea creatures swim around, floating peacefully, felt almost hypnotic. The jellyfish especially. They looked like slow-motion dancers in the water.
Aquarium moments—mesmerized by underwater life.
Dinner came early. I found a spot right beside the water. As I ate, a sea otter floated by, playing in the water like it didn’t have a care in the world. That moment stuck with me. Joy in the simplest things.
Back at my suite, I didn’t head in just yet. I walked to the beach and sat there for a while. The waves, the salty breeze, the sky changing colors. It felt like the world paused just for a little while.
Golden hour peace—just me, the waves, and the sky.
I ended the day with a small charcuterie board and watched the sunset melt into the ocean. No distractions. Just me, the sky, and the sea.
Honestly, it was perfect. Peaceful. Exactly what I needed.
Closing Quote or Reflection:
Sometimes the best way to celebrate yourself is to slow down and just be present. I’ll remember this birthday not for what I did, but for how it made me feel—peaceful, grounded, and grateful.
