The Quiet Between Quests

It is imperative for any professional to take some time away. This post is being written from the comfort of my cabin aboard a cruise ship. Today is the final day, and we’re at sea while making our way back to home port. Anyone worth their salt will tell you the importance of stepping back. In my case, as someone working in technology, this meant being largely unplugged. I skipped international phone plans and didn’t bother with onboard WiFi. I did peek at my email briefly while in port—but only long enough to reassure myself the world wasn’t on fire before putting the phone away again.

It’s not easy. For many of us, work is a big deal—and stepping away from it can feel like leaving the ship's wheel unattended in a storm. Some might argue that disconnecting is counterintuitive or even irresponsible. Fair. But for me, this quiet break has been essential—time to rest, recharge, and realign.

Now, for those who haven’t cruised in a while, your phone becomes almost a crewmember in its own right. The ship's app is the hub for just about everything—from checking in at dining rooms to verifying purchases. It’s basically the tricorder of vacation logistics: activities, dress codes, disembarkation details—you name it, it’s in there. In our case, we'll be off the ship around 10 AM, with some time to explore the city before flying back to Boston.

And yes, before someone asks: “If you're offline, how are you posting this?” Fair point. I’m not. This entry will be uploaded once I’m back on solid ground, likely from the familiar glow of my home monitor.

I want to talk for a moment about the value of true downtime. While aboard, I read a book from a fantasy RPG-inspired series out of Australia called He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon (Travis Deverell). In it, the protagonist advances not just through heroic effort and monster-slaying, but also through moments of deep meditation. Often, it’s not in the heat of battle that he evolves, but in the quiet afterward—when he’s processing what’s happened and integrating the growth.

That resonated. I haven’t had this kind of stillness in over two years. Sure, I’ve traveled, and I’ve had wonderful, relaxing experiences. But this is the first time in a long while that I’ve had a vacation where I could truly unplug—just me, my husband, and the rolling ocean. And I can feel it. I’ve had some truly unexpected insights about how to take the knowledge I’ve gained during my time at Southern New Hampshire University these past few months and apply it toward long-term goals. The grind will still be there when I return—but I’ll be approaching it with fresh energy and a clearer head.

I’m also feeling reconnected on a more personal level. Time with my husband has been deeply restorative. Like any couple, we’ve had our ups and downs, but this trip reminded me how important that connection is. I’m heading home not just rested but reengaged—ready for what comes next, side by side.

On that note, I’ll stay in airplane mode until this post makes its way to the Codex. Talk soon.