There were a hundred good reasons why I shouldn’t have gone to Oregon and one reason why I needed to go: I had to replenish my reservoir.

So often we tell ourselves that soulful, creative weekends with good friends are too indulgent. We convince ourselves that staying back and checking things off our endless to-do list will ultimately bring us more satisfaction than time away from the grind.

Granted, there are many times when staying at home beats going away, but not when going away means being with people who inspire you. Not when going away means allowing yourself to be deeply seen by people you trust. People who will honor all of you – your vulnerabilities, your goofy dance moves, your obsession with 70’s music, and even your very serious parts.

If there’s inspiration, seeing, appreciating, laughing, singing, playing, and creating involved – you have to go. It’s how we fill our reservoir, the one we’re going to draw from during those long dry spells when inspiration and creating and playing seem so far away.

I was tired when I came home from Oregon, but I was full. I came home with a renewed spirit and a new craving for more creativity in my life. I also had enough time to get still and remember how much I believe in courage. And let me tell you, I’ve needed every ounce of what I brought home from Oregon.

I got home from the Lovebomb adventure late Sunday, spent Monday and Tuesday in a faculty retreat, did all my back-to-school shopping and organizing on Wednesday, then flew to Ohio on Thursday. On Friday, I did a keynote presentation for Ohio State University and there was some SERIOUS reservoir dipping during that talk.

I’ve done many keynote talks (in front of lots of people) and I’m very comfortable speaking; however, I was totally unprepared for the set-up on Friday morning. I spoke in the Columbus Convention Center and the stage was ginormous.

The stage was lit like a presidential debate and there was a scary, booming voice that came over the loud speakers and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen. The presentation will begin in 5 minutes. Please take your seats.” Then, to make it even scarier, there were two huge 30-foot screens on either side of the stage.

As soon as I started speaking I felt a little wave of panic surge through my body. I forgot what I was going to say. I started feeling shaky. I started sweating. I couldn’t figure out what was happening. All of the sudden I remembered a photo that Andrea had taken of me.

As that picture floated across my mind, I told myself. “Courage. I believe.” I jumped into my newly-restored reservoir, splashed around, and assessed the situation. What was different? What was happening?

Then it hit me: OMG! I can’t see anyone. There were hundreds of lights shining directly on me and I couldn’t see the audience. I wasn’t connecting because I could see anyone. I stepped off of the stage and right into my groove. Thank you reservoir. Thank you awesome people of Ohio!

Sometimes getting away is less about “leaving things behind” and more about “bringing magic home.”

We need to get away. We need to regroup and renew. We need to sink into some perspective. We need to fill our reservoirs with:

Trust
Gratitude
Inspiration
Art
Friends
Laughter
Play
Song

Because sometimes when we’re strung out and exhausted, the reflection that we see when we look into those deep ponds of renewal is the truest image of ourselves.

I'd love to know how you fill your reservoir!

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Dr. Brené Brown is a researcher, writer, and a unique speaker whose reputation is built on her ability to explore vulnerable topics with tremendous honesty, warmth, and humor. She is a leading expert on Authenticity, Vulnerability and Courage; and the author of The Gifts of Imperfection: Letting Go of Who We Think We Should Be and Embracing Who We Are.

You can read more articles by Brené in her blog, Ordinary Courage.