Folly Beach - Charleston, SC
Returning home from a vacation is always a bittersweet moment. On one hand, the "you need a vacation from vacation" sentiment always rings true. Unless you're a seasoned traveler, it's never stress free. From planning to booking to the actual vacationing, there are a lot of moving parts. Add in the unfamiliarity of a new location and by the last day, you can't wait to be back home. It's a relief sliding back into your own bed-- that is, until you have to return back to work. Then the post-vacay depression sets in.
I've definitely been feeling it since returning back home from my trip to Charleston a few weeks ago. Because it was my first solo vacation, I felt an anxious, nervous energy for most of the trip but I ended up having so much fun. I'm also glad that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I think that the next time I travel alone, I'll feel a lot more confident and at ease. I was happy to return back home to my normal day-to-day, however I'm now also missing those beach days and the luxury of a free schedule. I think we end up feeling this way because our normal everyday routines can become mundane and boring. As someone who has spent the last seven years in the same routine with very little time off, you don't realize how necessary it is to switch things up until you do.
My trip shifted my perspective and reminded me how important it is to live more, enjoy life and experience new things. I've spent the last few weeks thinking about this and ways that I can keep doing more of this in my life. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of being able to vacation or travel often (one day!), however I've found little ways in my everyday life to replicate some of the same feelings + excitement that being on vacation brings.
+ SWITCH UP YOUR ROUTINE - We are all creatures of habit and in general, operate better having a set routine or schedule. That being said, I think it's important to still throw in some variety and deviate every once in awhile. For me, something as simple as going to a different restaurant or ordering something new can make a huge difference. I tend to always stick with the same things and while I'm a tried-and-true gal, sometimes it gets old. If you're feeling stuck in a rut or uninspired, try adding in some variety. This is also great if you're having the post vacation blues. Vacations are usually full of all new everything so by adding this into your everyday life, it's almost like being on a mini vacation and it adds some fun to the mundane.
+ START A NEW PROJECT OR HOBBY - Something that also helps me is finding a new interest outside of work. Whether that's starting a new book, tv show or maybe taking up a new hobby, I always feel re-inspired. I also know what it's like to become so wrapped up in your job that you neglect personal interests. I've been guilty of being so tired from work that I don't have the energy or motivation to do the fun things. Sometimes this is inevitable and you just have to rest, however it's important to prioritize time for the things that bring you joy. I also think the newness element is crucial for adding that same "vacation" like feeling. It feels like you're experience something new and exciting because you are!
+ FIND SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO - One of my favorite pieces of advice comes from Matthew McConaughey which is to give yourself something to look forward to. When I hear this, my mind immediately wants to jump to the big moments-- more vacations, making a large purchase, etc. While those things can fit into the criteria, so can the little things. I'll even go so far as to say the little things probably outweigh the big ones. I've always had a little bit of an all or nothing mentality so I tend to think along the lines of "one day." One day when I go here, one day when I accomplish this-- the extremes. The problem with one day is that it's the may-never-come day. It also only puts excitement on potential and not reality. The future, not the present. Instead of only looking forward to the possibilities or the big things in the future, I'm challenging myself to find and create things in the more distant future to look forward to. Things that are also obtainable. I can still look forward to those bigger ones, I'm just not waiting solely on them.
+ CREATE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE - A continuation of finding something to look forward to for when you can create and plan out your next adventure. Planning out another trip in the future definitely helps soften those post-vacay blues. I separated this one because for me, planning out a vacation is not something I'm able to do on the regular. It's usually in my "one day," category due to my work schedule. If you are able to travel and vacation often, I would definitely go ahead and book your next trip! That is the epitome of having something to look forward to in my book. One of my goals is to try and do this on a smaller, more doable scale. More road trips to nearby cities, etc.
If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
