I took a vacation for the first time in almost 2 years to Barbados. The experience was life-changing and made me realize that I truly needed the break.

Barbados was a life-changing experience that I'll never forget.Charise Frazier/Insider

• I visited the Caribbean island of Barbados for the first time.
• The trip was my first vacation in almost two years.

Over the last three years, my life has been a whirlwind with many changes.

From leaving a job I had for five years and acclimating to a new one, to grieving the loss of my grandmother and other family members who died during the pandemic, vacationing was not at the top of my list.

My last vacation was in August 2021, when I joined a friend for her birthday trip to Tulum, Mexico. It hit me recently that the trip was nearly two years ago.

While advocating for self-care, rest, and restoration to the people around me, I realized I was not practicing what I preached. So, when one of my good friends set her wedding date for Barbados over Memorial Day weekend, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to celebrate and get some much-needed rest.

From the beaches to the food, what I experienced in Barbados I'll take with me throughout my life.