Escaping Burnout: A Restful Weekend in Wrightwood, California
At the beginning of the month, just days before the majority of America voted red, I was on my way to visit one of my closest friends in Los Angeles. Full disclosure, I loath LA, and as someone who lived there for two years working in Hollywood, I have the authority to say that. So when I say my closest friend, I sincerely mean part of my top five, otherwise I would not make the journey from my humble accommodations in Arizona to LA of all places.
Plane tickets these days are a bit insane, so I traveled via FlixBus (similar to Greyhound, though I am not sure of the difference). While at the rest stop halfway to my destination, my friend called, we would be leaving LA and headed somewhere that sounded like a town straight from a Hallmark Christmas movie. She informed me that over the weekend she would be taking me to Wrightwood California. This trip came at the perfect time as we were both suffering from creative block and overstimulation that plague the best of us all too often.
This trip was what I referred to in my post Balancing Adventure with Rest as a “rest trip”. I went on this trip with no expectations, no schedule, and a desire to do nothing. All my belongings fit into a single bag, though I definitely was not packed for a weekend in the mountains (your girl was cold). However, I layered up and made due.
From the start the trip was beautiful. There is something about a long road, a good view, and an awesome playlist that soothes the spirit. Sometime soon I may have to plan a solo road trip. This trip was really about rest and views as I have very little else to share. But join me below for the basics.
Where We Stayed Grand Pine Cabins 6045 Pine Street Wrightwood, CA 92397
I have yet to encounter my inner cabin girly, and in the past, I have only enjoyed the mountains in the form of a quick hike before returning home. However, the Grand Pine Cabins were everything I didn’t know I needed. The cozy cabin with mountain views provided the perfect space to lay in bed with a good book and type away at my laptop keys when working on new blog inspiration.
What I Read
I can’t remember the last time I devoured a book! My Sister the Serial Killer is a suspenseful yet easy read. Perfect for your next outdoorsy outing.
What I Did
Besides the mountain views, there isn’t much to see or do. Wrightwood is the perfect place to relax, breathe the fresh mountain air, and detox from social media, work, and creative struggles. We spent less than 48 hours in the mountains, so aside from sleeping and drinking wine, I spent some time writing. On the final morning, I managed to complete a “last minute” hike.
Benefits of a Rest Trip
This trip allowed me to mindlessly explore a new area and provide alternative perspectives on life and my creative pursuits. A short change in my day-to-day activities refreshed my spirit and instantly sparked my creativity. I spent the majority of time looking at the trees yet I wrote more in those two days than in the two weeks prior. Ironically, this trip helped me realize that freeing myself from the made-up expectations of my mind unlocks new levels of productivity and creativity.
It is important to note that depending on your current situation and the last time you had a rest trip, it could take several days to feel refreshed or find a spark. Back in 2019, when I took a trip to Europe, it was an entire week before I felt relaxed, and several days later I received a creative spark.
Overall
Wrightwood was like stepping into a postcard. The crisp air, towering pines, and absence of buzzing notifications created a space for stillness I didn’t realize I needed. It reminded me that you don’t have to wait for burnout to treat yourself to rest intentionally. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is nothing at all.
When was your last rest trip? Are there any off-grid destinations you’ve been meaning to visit? As always I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
For more views check out my Wrightwood Nature Vlog.
