After being really sick and losing my voice, I finally started to feel like myself again. But I still needed a different kind of recovery: a break from my busy work routine. So, I spent three days in Brighton to slow down, breathe fresh sea air, and enjoy a change of scenery. The city gave me space to rest, explore, and return with renewed energy. Brighton remains the unofficial LGBTQ+ capital of the UK. Its vibrant energy has only grown since my last visit 7 years ago. The colourful streets offer a sense of freedom that helps wash away the stress of a busy work life.
I spent my days exploring Brighton at an easy pace, wandering through its lively streets and enjoying the sea air. I even went bathing in the sea, which felt refreshing after the busy weeks I had left behind. So I went on a date on one evening on the beach in the moonlight. I also took a trip to the Seven Sisters, where the wide views, white cliffs. The hike made me feel calm and relaxed hearing the sounds of the sea and the quiet.
Visiting the seaside gave me both a mental and physical reset. The sound of the waves, fresh coastal air, and open blue views helped me let go of stress and feel more present. Walking and running on the seaside but also swimming in the sea also made me feel active without pressure. While the sun and seawater added the sense of wellbeing.
The Context
While I was ill, I spent days stuck in bed at home. I completely lost my voice, which made it impossible to communicate normally. This made everything at work a massive struggle, as I couldn’t speak. So the frustration of being unable to express myself or keep up with my tasks left me feeling exhausted. During that time, connecting with people was completely out of my mind. My only focus was getting through the day and managing my recovery. I stayed within my own bubble at home, as socialising felt far too draining while I lacked the energy and my voice. So I essentially shut out the outside world until I felt strong enough to face it again.
I felt I needed to get away and reset. Losing my voice left me frustrated, especially as I was stuck at home during hot, sunny weather. I had to lower my expectations around exercise and avoid swimming while I recovered. Once the illness had passed, I realised that physical recovery was not enough. I needed a break from my routine and time away for my mental health. Just to start wandering without a goal. My brain needed time to reset. Needed gaps of boredom that spark new ideas. Slowing down restores your energy. Stop rushing for a moment. Just exist in the space you are in.
Seeking The Benefits of Seaside
I thought back to my Brighton trip from seven years ago. I remembered how the seaside always clears the mind. The salty air and crashing waves offer a unique peace. A voice in my head grew steady and clear. It told me to return for a proper recovery. I packed my bags and headed for the coast. The pebbles crunched under my feet as I reached the shore. I did not hesitate for a second. I dove straight into the blue water. The swim felt like a fresh beginning. My body felt alive and restored.
Imagine yourself standing on a sun-drenched shore, feeling the gentle sea breeze against your skin. This simple moment does wonders for your health according the studies. By slashing cortisol levels and flooding your brain with feel-good chemicals like oxytocin. Since coastal areas often enjoy more sunlight, you naturally soak up the vitamin D needed for strong bones and a resilient immune system. Even just listening to the rhythmic crash of the waves instantly calms your mind and washes away stress. Why not plan a quick trip to the coast to give me happiness an immediate and well-deserved boost?
Zero F*cks Given
The first thing I did in Brighton? I went for a long, refreshing swim. Then I stretched out on the beach and chilled and opened The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Its message felt perfectly timed, “You cannot give your energy to every opinion, expectation, or possible mistake.” You have to choose what truly matters to you, and what matches with who you really are. Led me to reflect about an opportunity I’m exploring at the moment and a decision is coming soon, but I’ll keep that story for another time. This trip was about trusting my intuition, reflective about my priorities, and caring less about what other people may think. Especially what people might think or say about me as a gay man.
Because Brighton is the LGBT capital of the UK. Brighton gave me the freedom to simply be myself. I went on a date by the sea in the evening. We walked along the shoreline, held hands, and shared a kiss in the Moonlight with the sound the the crashing waves. In a city celebrated for its LGBT community, it felt natural, safe, and real. It reminded me that I do not need to shrink myself for other people’s opinions. Some moments are too meaningful to give fear any space.
I no longer feel the need to edit my personality or sell my authenticity to be accepted. Because I’m done trying to fit into expectations that were never meant for me. So It is just me now clearer, freer, and more certain of what I want. I’m building my life on my own terms, choosing the people, places, and opportunities that feel right. And not giving a f*ck on what doesn’t matter. However Mark Manson’s point is not that you should care about nothing. He argues that you will always give a f*ck about something. The real choice is what deserves your limited time, energy, and attention.
You might care about being honest, building meaningful relationships, your health, creative work, or living openly as yourself. But if you spend too much energy worrying about strangers’ opinions, pleasing everyone, or avoiding every uncomfortable moment, there is less space for what truly matters to you.
Walking the Chalk Line
I went for a quiet morning run alongside the beach, with the sound of gentle waves and hardly anyone around. The stillness of the coastline made everything feel slow, peaceful. Afterwards, I headed off for a hike at the Seven Sisters cliffs. The bus journey was also part of the experience too I spent the ride looking out across the English countryside and along the coastline. The drought left much of the vegetation yellow and dry, giving an almost Mediterranean landscape. Ironically, I start to call the south coast of England the English Riviera. For the golden hills, coastal views, and summer-like atmosphere along the way.
The challenge I set myself was to climb the Seven Sisters cliffs reaching the top, taking in the view, and making my way back down again. With every step, I stayed grounded in the present moment, focused on the path beneath my feet. I thoroughly enjoyed the stunning views from the heights of the cliffs, but what stayed with me most was the relaxing and especially quiet atmosphere. Being grounded in the present allowed me to truly appreciate the stillness. Where the only sounds were the wind and the distant tide, making the entire challenge feel like a peaceful escape.
Exploring The Colours
I started to explore the city as it prepared for Pride. Brighton Pride is the biggest event of the year for the city. And the excitement could be felt everywhere. The colourful houses looked even more vibrant, while Pride flags flew proudly throughout the streets. It was a shame to leave the day before the celebrations began. But I felt where I needed to be. My mind kept returning to the belief that no one should ever feel afraid to live authentically. Above all, everyone deserves the freedom to show their true colours. As I reflected on this, I thought about London Pride my very first Pride where I cried among a crowd of a million people. As I looked around, I saw people like me who had probably faced shame, rejection and fear. Consequently, I felt overwhelmed by the powerful sense of belonging.
I felt that same powerful sense of belonging while visiting Brighton, especially as I wandered past its beautiful colourful houses. Furthermore, the city’s vibrant architecture seemed to mirror the spirit of the community. In the same way, seeing the pride flags draped over balconies and storefronts reinforced the idea of living without fear. Ultimately, even though I had to leave early, the supportive atmosphere of the city left a lasting impression on me.
Reclaiming Your Time
Reclaiming your time requires a conscious decision. In a way to stop treating your life as an extension of your professional to-do list. When you choose to slow down, you aren’t just taking a break. You are staging a quiet rebellion against the culture of constant availability. By intentionally disconnecting from your usual work routine or whatever business you’re building, you create the necessary space for your own thoughts. When we incessantly rush, our minds become cluttered with the logistical debris of everyday tasks. Leaving no room for original thought to take root.
Creating space for new ideas requires an intentional clearing of the mental landscape. Where the absence of external noise acts as an invitation for creativity. By slowing down and stepping away from the constant stream of consumption and output, we allow the subconscious to connect disparate dots and breathe life into dormant concepts. It is in these unhurried, unscheduled pockets of time that the most profound insights finally find the silence they need to be heard.
Slowing down is a nuanced art form that requires both discipline and a radical shift in perspective. Where you learn to distinguish between the superficial urgency of the world, and the deep meaningful pace of your own life. Sometimes it takes courage to step away, to leave behind the routines habits and expectations that keep us moving on autopilot. Going away does not always mean travelling somewhere; it can mean taking a different route, breaking from familiar patterns, or simply creating a quiet moment in an otherwise busy day. By interrupting the rhythm of our usual lives, we make room to see things differently, reconnect with ourselves, and discover new ways of being.
