A Weekend in Surf City, North Carolina.
I’m still traveling. Still exploring. And doing it with more confidence than ever before.
This weekend, I chose Surf City, North Carolina—and one ocean-front home delivered exactly what I needed: silence, a wide-open sky, and that salty breeze that scrubs away everything unnecessary.
▶ Where I stayed: Southern Comfort
🏡 The Kind of House That Helps You Breathe Again
This beachfront home welcomed me with simplicity and space. Clean lines, airy rooms, and a view that heals more than any filter ever could.
I settled in with a notebook, a warm mug of tea, and the only soundtrack I needed: the rhythm of the ocean.
🌅 Friday: Arrival & Reconnection
After unpacking and slipping into something cozy, I headed straight to the Surf City Ocean Pier.
It’s long and peaceful, filled with quiet fishermen and that gentle ocean energy that asks nothing of you. At the very end, golden hour wrapped everything in light—one of those rare silences that doesn’t leave you empty, but full.
🍴 Dinner
Right across from the pier, I grabbed dinner at Shaka Taco.
Shrimp tacos + local kombucha = simple, fresh, and absolutely perfect.
🧘♀️ Saturday: My Pace, My Rules
☀️ Morning
I started the day with an outdoor yoga class at Topsail Yoga.
Breathing feels different when the sky is your ceiling and the waves keep rhythm for your breath.
Then came a stop at Sugar Island Bakery for banana bread and coffee.
It’s also a cozy bookstore and gallery — the kind of spot where you can be alone, but never lonely.
🌿 Afternoon
I visited the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center.
Learning about their work with rescued sea turtles touched a softer part of me — the kind of quiet compassion that often gets buried under emails and daily noise.
Lunch? A peaceful treat at Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille.
I sat on the deck, watched the waves roll in, and let everything slow way, way down.
🌙 Night
Back at Southern Comfort, I took a long, hot shower, made some lavender tea, and curled up on the porch.
No phone. No to-do list.
Just the ocean, the stars, and that full-body feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be.
🛍️ Sunday: Calm, Coffee, and a Few Finds
☀️ Morning
I spent the morning exploring a few of Surf City’s charming local shops — the kind that make you want to slow down and linger.
Mia’s Marketplace offered beautiful handmade soaps, candles, and a tote bag I’ll absolutely overuse — and love every time I do.
At Sandy Toes Boutique, I found relaxed beachwear and accessories with just the right balance of coastal and effortless. The kind of pieces that feel like vacation, but you can wear anywhere.
🍴 Lunch
Before hitting the road, I stopped for a light bite at The Daily Grind.
Wraps, gluten-free options, and soft music drifting in the background — it was the kind of lunch that says thank you to your body and your weekend.
✨ Final Thought: This Trip Is Me, Too
Traveling with intention — without the rush — is how I honor time now.
Yes, I’m over 40. And that’s exactly why I no longer travel to prove anything.
I travel to feel everything.
Weekends like this remind me that my freest, fullest self is always right here:
barefoot on a deck, salt in the air, and with the kind of clarity that only comes when you truly slow down.
I’m not done exploring. Not even close.
🌿 Little Moments That Meant Everything:
- Hearing soft rain on the porch ceiling
- Drying my hair in a sunlit mirror
- Napping without guilt after a long walk
- Watching the sea change colors between 3 and 5 PM