For so long, I felt trapped—surrounded by clutter, weighed down by routine, and disconnected from joy. But a weekend by the ocean in Santa Cruz changed everything. Sitting on the beach, breathing in the briny air, and watching my wife run through the surf, I felt like myself again—free, alive, and whole. Leaving that behind was crushing, but it made one thing clear: It’s time to let go of what no longer serves me and make room for what truly matters—nature, connection, and simple joy.