a vacation state of mind

 

 

“One’s destination is never a place,
but a new way of seeing things.”

Henry Miller

 

Today I'm heading off to England for a week. For a whole week! A week away from work. A week away from America. A week away from life. I'm quite excited for the adventures that I know I will have, but I'm sad to be leaving the blogs for a week. I'm sure I could blog from there, but I've decided that after six months of blogging, I deserve a little time off. I have scheduled posts throughout the week to keep you all entertained in my absence and I will be leaving the comments open. However, I will not be responding to the comments individually for the next week so please don't be offended if you don't see a prompt reply from Dani.

Vacations are supposed to be positive experiences, experiences during which you're living in the moment, but are they always? Not for me. In the past, vacations have been fun but have also been filled with stress. When preparing for a vacation, I'm always wondering, "What will be there for me at work when I return? What if someone needs me when I'm gone? What am I going to pack?" (among many other questions!) After stressing about vacation prep, I'm often out of sorts while away. I'm a big fan of routines so when I get away from my everyday routines I feel disoriented and, in the past, I've often been unhappy and eager to return to my familiar patterns.

Now that I'm working hard to embrace living in the now, it doesn't make much sense to stress about preparing for a vacation, nor does it make much sense to be disrupted by the lack of routines in my life for a week or so. Living in the now means living in the now, not living with a head filled with thoughts like "what-should-I-pack" and "how-many-emails-will-be-there-when-I-get-back." My mind sometimes gets the better of me and the worrywart sets in. But this time -- this vacation -- I'm going to try my hardest to do things differently. I left packing to the last minute (which, in Dani-terms is two days -- not two weeks -- before the trip). I didn't plan out a day-by-day agenda of what I wanted to do. I've prepared a few blog posts for the week but I'm not going to check my stats or the comments frequently. I'll have access to work email, but I plan to check it once or twice a day at the most. I want to unplug, I want to relax, I want to enjoy a vacation -- and for the first time in my life I think it might actually be possible.  

Now that I'm doing what I can to live a more positive and more present lifestyle, I really do believe that it will be possible for me to grab my bags later today and head out to the airport without worrying about what I am leaving behind, without worrying about what lies ahead. Traveling is an adventure and traveling abroad is an even bigger adventure for someone like me who has never been outside of the good ol' USA before. In everything I do, I try to look for the positive and I try to remind myself to be present, to live in the moment. This vacation will be a test for me, I know. I will be out of my comfort zone. I will be in situations where I have very little control. But you know what I can be comfortable with and in control of? My state of mind. Today I'm choosing to let go -- to put worries away -- and embrace a vacation state of mind.

You don't have to travel to be on vacation!
How do you access a vacation state of mind?

Comments

[Believe Achieve - Hugo and Roxanne]

Hi Dani,

We hope you have an incredible time in England! We look forward to hearing about your wonderful trip.

The "vacation state of mind" you speak of...we refer to that as "Being Still." I make sure to "Be Still" at least once a day for a few minutes. With the hustle and bustle of everyday activities and the Kiddos, it's always just what I need to feel rejuvenated! Take a few minutes each day to relax by rolling your neck and shoulders, take deep breathes and press the MUTE button on the world. Then, imagine something relaxing. I like to picture a bright blue sky with puffy clouds. It's possible to take vacations everyday! :-)

Many Blessings....

Roxanne and Hugo
Believe Achieve

[Semisweetheart]

Hi Dani,

Hope you have an AWESOME vacation! Looking forward to the scheduled posts :)

[Shamelle- EnhanceLife]

Hi Dani,

Try not to worry too much about blogging :-) Your loyal reading will be here... when you get back ;-0)

Wishing you a fun and relaxing vacation!

Shamelle

[Megan Bord]

Hi, Dani!

Sounds like we're two peas in a pod when it comes to vacations. I do the same things: stress a bit beforehand, worry about keeping my routine up during vacation, etc. I'll look forward to reading how well you did when you get back!

Enjoy yourself!

[Stephen Mills]

Dani, I don't even know what to say. You must lead a very harried life. I love you but you would drive me crazy :-) Please just let it GO and ENJOY!!!

[Lance]

Hi Dani,
Have a wonderful week away, and really enjoy your time in England!

[John]

We'll miss you Dani! Have a great trip and report back on how awesome England was.

[lisa]

have a FABULOUS GB vacation, Dani! my mom was a English war bride in WWII. i still have family over there and love visiting them! SO looking forward to reading about your Brit adventures.

in the meantime, i'll be STAYcationing here - sweet!

[Veronica]

Enjoy the trip Dani!!

Just remember to 'be here, now' - and repeat it to yourself as often as necessary. You'll so regret fretting over the little stuff (and remember, it's all little stuff) and taking focus off of all the wonderful things you get to experience.

Cheers!

Veronica
www.drrussbuss.com

[Srinivas Rao]

Dani,

Enjoy your time off. MY whole life has felt like a vacation since I finished graduate school. That's the beauty of living in LA

[Peggy (aka Tool Box Girl)]

May you have an incredible week in England!

I love vacations...I sometimes think I live for vacations! The ability to fly off and simply suspend reality for a few days...no due dates, no time lines, no project plans, no alarm clocks, no rushing here and there...just thinking about it brings a sense of calm!

Where in England are you off to? I've been there a few times and can't wait to visit again!

[Hayden Tompkins]

WoOt! Rock your vacation!

[jonathanfigaro]

vacations are great ways to get a different perspective on life.
Stepping away from work for a while and enjoying life is a great way to get inspiration and a new view on life.

[Hilda]

Hi Dani, I hope you have a wonderful time in England. And please don't check your work email while on your holiday - you deserve a complete break, allow yourself to have it.

[Sami - Life, Laughs & Lemmings]

Dani, so cool to see you traveling outside of the US! I bet you find you'll have experience, learn lessons and have fun in more ways than you thought possible. Travel tends to have that effect! Have a fantastic time!

[Kaushik]

Hi Dani,

If we can let go, we can be in the vacation frame of mind all the time. Of course, living in Florida makes it a little easier. :)

"Now that I'm doing what I can to live a more positive and more present lifestyle, I really do believe that it will be possible for me to grab my bags later today and head out to the airport without worrying about what I am leaving behind, without worrying about what lies ahead."

How wonderful! Have a great time and I look forward to your posts about it.
k

[Giovanna Garcia]

Hi Dani

Have a great time in England! Don't think about what you leave behind, instead think about what you are going to! (All the new things and experiences you will have.)
Embrace!!
Thanks for sharing.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

[J.D. Meier]

Have a great trip!

I seriously like a vacation state of mind. When I go on trips, I completely disconnect. It gives me a chance to recharge and get a fresh look at life. It's usually when I have some simple idea that changes my game in some way. It also makes me appreciate everything I've got, and I like to step out and try new things. It's always one of the highlights of my year.

[Diggy - Upgradereality.com]

Enjoy the vacation Dani:)
Hope to see loads of pictures and cool stories from your trip:)

Diggy

[Zeenat{Positive Provocations}]

Hi Dani, Have a super week off..and enjoy enjoy enjoy...I know i will be waiting for your next awesome post, whenever you post it... And pictures of times spent in England need to be in them...;)

[Amit Sodha]

Hey there,

Great post and I'm sure you're gonna love england! If you're London come and say hello over a cuppa coffee.

[Anita]

Hi Dani, Hope you have loads of fun on your vacation. Don't think about work, just have a good time. Looking forward to hearing all about your trip. Take care, A.

[Caroline]

Hi Dani! Enjoy your time away... Enjoy all the moments and new sights, sounds, and experiences. Come back refreshed and renewed!

[Hilary]

Hi Dani .. do hope all is going well .. I'm sure it will be! Just up the road from me .. well over 7 hours probably! Look forward to hearing all about it .. as everyone says we'll be here!

It'll be life changing I suspect .. probably as time goes on and you think about it and work the experiences through afterwards ..

Have fun .. all the very best - & hope the weather holds for you?!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational stories