Salt Air and Stillness: A Weekend of Rest on the Midcoast

There’s something about the ocean that helps me slow down and come back to myself.

I recently spent a weekend at Bass Harbor Campground in a quiet, rustic cabin nestled among the trees on Maine’s midcoast.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” – Anne Lamott

I got to explore the coastline—from the iconic Bass Harbor Head Light and the sandy stretch of Sand Beach to the thunderous crash of Thunder Hole and the sweeping views from Cadillac Mountain. The views were stunning, sure, but honestly, what stuck with me the most wasn’t the sights. It was the stillness.

Karen Blixen once said, “The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears, or the sea.” On this trip, I gave myself permission to experience all three. I moved, I released, and I rested. And in that rhythm, I found my way back to something deeply grounding.

“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.” – Anne Lamott

Slowing Down: A Lesson from the Ocean

The ocean never rushes. It doesn’t try to catch up or force anything—it just moves in its own rhythm. The salt air, the sound of the waves—it was like my nervous system finally got the message that it could relax. As I spent time near the water, I felt a shift. I didn’t need to check my phone. I didn’t need to plan the next thing. I didn’t need to produce, solve, or fix. I could just be.

There were moments when tears came—sometimes from sadness, sometimes from joy—because the quiet finally gave me space to feel everything that had been building beneath the surface. I’ve learned that peace doesn’t always come with happiness. Sometimes it comes from simply being present with whatever is there.

Reconnecting Without Going Fully Off-Grid

I didn’t go full digital detox. My phone came with me, I checked it here and there, snapped some photos (you’ll see a few in this blog), and maybe even spent a few minutes playing Township. But I gave myself permission to unplug a bit, and even that small change was enough to start noticing things again.

My breath slowed down. My thoughts softened. I realized how often I ignore what my body’s trying to tell me because life is always moving too fast. In the quiet of that cabin, I really started listening again—to myself, my feelings, and what I actually needed. And it wasn’t just nature I reconnected with—my relationship got that space too. Slowing down helped me show up better for the people I care about.

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” – Mark Black

Even Therapists Need Space to Feel

In therapy, I often encourage clients to take space, to slow down, to listen inward. But as a therapist, I’m not immune to the same noise, distractions, and avoidance strategies I help others navigate.

This trip reminded me of that. My time in the cabin, sitting by the campfire, or walking the quiet paths around the campground gave me space—not to fix anything, but simply to be present.

How to Find Peace—Even Without the Ocean

Not everyone can get away to the coast when life gets loud. But you don’t need crashing waves or mountain views to come back to yourself. Sometimes it starts with a deep breath and a moment of quiet intention.

Want to try something small?

Pause. Take a deep breath. Feel your feet on the ground. Notice what’s around you—birds, traffic, wind, silence. Let your mind rest, even if just for 30 seconds.

And if the ocean isn’t close by, turn to what is accessible. Maybe it’s a favorite place in your home, the scent of pine or lavender, a familiar song, a favorite chair, or an activity that helps you settle. Whatever helps you feel calm and grounded—use it. These small anchors can offer a surprising sense of peace.

You don’t have to fully unplug to reconnect. Even a few mindful moments can shift your day.

Final Reflection: Start Small, Breathe Deep

Just like a harbor offers shelter from the open sea, we all need places—physical or emotional—where we can pause, refuel, and return to ourselves. That’s the kind of space I try to offer in my counseling practice, and it’s what I found again on this trip.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. You don’t need a perfect plan or a weekend away to find peace. You just need a place to start.

And maybe, like Blixen said, that place is saltwater.
Sweat from a walk.
Tears you’ve been holding in.
Or the steady breath of the ocean.
Any one of them can bring you back to yourself.

“The waves may rise and fall, but the shore remains.” – Unknown

A Space for Rest and Healing

If slowing down by the ocean speaks to you, remember—you don’t have to go far to find peace. Whether you're overwhelmed, stuck, or simply need space to reconnect, counseling can be a safe harbor. I’m here to help you find your rhythm.

When you’re ready to take a step, whether it’s a pause, a breath, or a conversation, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Click here to contact me whenever you're ready.

With care,

Nate

“A harbor is not just a place—it’s a feeling of safety in the middle of the sea.” – Unknown