Temperate winds rushed through the branches of trees around me. The summer air and sun rays grazed across leaves and water as my family and I looked out along the lake’s bike path. There was nothing better than the views I saw at Lake Tahoe. The sights and sounds of the lakeshore scenery made me feel connected with nature and soothed not only my senses, but my soul as well. In some ways, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The end of the Spring 2024 semester brought something I hadn’t dealt with in a long time: burnout. After being in school for about six years, I suppose it had to pop up eventually. All that was left for me to do was complete my professional internship, and I felt a lot of pressure trying to find one. I was also responsible for moving out of the dormitory that I lived in during the semester. I needed a break. A break that–in hindsight–was a long time coming.
Losing Tranquility
Before the spring semester, there were already signs of something wrong at home. I lived with my parents and my sister my whole life up to that moment, and familiarity was breeding contempt. These troubles stemmed from being home for so long, as well as problems left over from the COVID pandemic. On top of that, my family’s Asian cultural upbringing left little room for emotional vulnerability. It created an environment mired with bickering, emotional outbursts, and passive-aggression on all fronts. Mentally, I reached a breaking point.
Home lost that sense of tranquility for me. I loved my family but I couldn’t stand staying with them anymore. So with some money I saved up, as well as help from other family members, I decided to leave home for a bit. I moved near UNLV and lived there for the spring semester. I took solo travel trips before, but this was the first time I was essentially living on my own. Granted, it was only for about five months, but I was willing to take anything.
Moving in was quite an adjustment, even once I made the dorm my own. I no longer had the safety nets I did at home. Sure, I did chores and cooked for myself, but I always had my family there to help out. Even with the reasons being well known to them why I was leaving, they were still willing to help me move in. It further complicated what I felt internally about them. Was this really the best way to mend things with them? Did they want me out as much as I wanted to leave? Or perhaps I was just overreacting to it all.
Those feelings had to wait. The spring semester was in full swing and I hit the ground running. It was easy to get lost in the grind of academics and forget about those reasons I left. I kept up with assignments, went to the gym, and managed my time like never before. I reached a level of independence I’m proud of even now. I thought I found my tranquility. However, those feelings still lingered unresolved, and I hadn’t paid much mind to it until the semester ended.
With the free time that came with summer break, I was forced to revisit those feelings. My time alone neared an end. Was I ready to go back? Were things going to be better once I got back? I visited home a few times while living on my own and it seemed pretty peaceful. It was a bit jarring, but I always chalked it up to being away and missing the day-to-day things. Regardless, it wasn’t long until I realized that living away from home refreshed my perspective on my family. I wondered if they felt the same, even if they were all still living together.
Mending Tranquility
I wouldn’t have to wait long after the semester’s end to find out. About a month into break, I traveled with them up to Lake Tahoe for a trip with my dad’s side. Family vacations were always chaotic, especially with my dad’s siblings. Most of them were outdoorsy, and I had never really been an outdoorsy guy myself. It was safe to say I was about to be tested on just how effective my time away was. The four of us would be sharing a bedroom as the family crammed inside the compact Airbnb we booked for the week.
Being back with family after six months of flying solo took time to get reacquainted with. Top that with extended family, and it made for quite the trial by fire. Right from the first day, a precedent was set for how the rest of the trip was going to go. To keep it simple, setting up plans with my dad’s family is like trying to hit a moving target. People were sure to miss it if they couldn’t keep up. And that didn’t always leave people too happy because of it.
Despite the tumultuous moments of this trip, there was no shortage of fun. For one, it was hard to complain with the wondrous scenery surrounding us. Additionally, this was the first time my dad’s siblings and their families got together since my cousin got married last year. This trip served as a last hurrah for him and to spend time with family before he began his medical residency with his fiancée. In some ways, perhaps that’s why the trip felt so packed with activities.
Even with this, when plans did align, everyone got in on the fun. Whether it was kayaking on Lake Tahoe or taking e-bikes along the lake’s bike trails, the whole family was there. Additionally, the compact nature of the Airbnb allowed for some family time. This time typically served as a recovery period after a busy day out around the lake. It was a much needed breather, and it allowed me to reconnect.
Sharing Tranquility
From day one, I was treated to a serene landscape. From the lightly snow-capped mountains on the horizon to the shimmering waters of the lake, this place really lived up to its billing. The Airbnb was situated near Incline Village. As the name suggests, the place was built on an incline, allowing for a picturesque view of Tahoe’s Crystal Bay. This was especially true whether you were on the bike trail or driving by on the street hugging the lakeshore. Being out there in the thick of nature’s beauty with my family put me at ease.
There are a few views from that trip that I’ll never forget. For example, my family and I rented e-bikes and took them to this bike trail near us. The trail was sprinkled with little outlooks of Crystal Bay, which naturally we all stopped at. But what really stuck with me were the moments when we were riding. Feeling that cool, fresh air run all around my body is a sensation rarely replicated in the city. And to share it with them made it even more special in my mind.
Another view came while on the waters of Crystal Bay. Kayaking in this specific part of Lake Tahoe was like nothing I ever experienced. The water was so blue and clear, few clouds sprinkled the sky and the surrounding mountainous terrain really added to the breathtaking scenery. I rented a solo kayak, and just being able to row around and take it all in really nourished my soul.
The last view came on one of the last days we spent in Lake Tahoe. We just finished biking, and we wanted to leisurely stroll along the nearby beach. This beach had a wooden trail that meandered through the nearby woods. Towards the end of it stood a lookout of the bay, which doubled as a prime place to catch a sunset. We just made it in time to see it, which made for yet another picturesque view. Seeing the sky light up with a kaleidoscope of red, yellow, blue, and indigo was simply fantastic. I’ve always loved a nice sunset, so being there for that is a special memory for me.
Being with my family after what felt like so long was refreshing. The combination of our reunion and nature’s beauty allowed for an internal mending to take place for me. Sure, we would still butt heads, even on this trip, but we’re still family at the end of the day. I lost sight of that prior to moving out. I was at a boiling point that was heightened by troubles that should’ve been resolved long before. It wasn’t until this trip that the resolutions began. By the end of the trip, I was ready to come home.
Those memories of Lake Tahoe, the dorm I stayed at, and the family who was with me through all of it offered me a sense of rejuvenation. Returning home after the trip just felt right, which was a feeling I hadn’t felt in a while. Home felt like home again. It may have taken a bit, but I wouldn’t change a thing about the journey to this point. In the end, I feel it was worth it. I had rediscovered my tranquility, after all.
About the Author
Brendan is currently a senior at UNLV, and is majoring in Journalism. He is set to graduate in Fall 2024. With his concentration in digital/social media, he hopes to become a social media manager and content creator one day. He also hopes to grow not only personally, but also grow LYF's message this semester! Some of his passions include cosplay, video games, anime, and writing.
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