Mine has been a tiny bubble since the onset of Covid-19. With my sister’s persistent invitations, notwithstanding a tiny dose of fear, we agreed to an Okanagan respite from our cold and rainy weather, and most importantly from working 9 – 5.
There were no hotels, no shopping, or eating in restaurants on this vacation. We didn’t miss it. Luckily, most of what we like to do is outdoors. And the Okanagan Valley is a pretty nice place to be outdoors. There were mountains to climb, lakes to cruise, kayaks to paddle, bikes to peddle and vegetation to adore.
Hopefully I don’t have to convince you that taking a vacation is a very important thing to do, despite our current limitations to travel freely. Even if you take a staycation you’re doing something good for yourself. But just in case you’re not convinced, let me expand on this.
A vacation shows us what is possible when we let go. And it’s all about letting go.
• We do things we might not do otherwise.
• We play.
• We rest.
• We get perspective.
• We get inspired.
• We recharge our battery.
• We discharge stress.
When we don’t take vacations we risk becoming:
• Resentful
• Burnt out
• Overwhelmed
• Grouchy
• Sick
• Stuck
• Ineffective
If it’s going to be a staycation make a point to change things up – to change your view. Try to discover new things as though you were somewhere else. Do something you wouldn’t normally do. Go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go. Remember, if you’re still working during your vacay chances are you’re not entirely letting go.
When you think of letting go what comes up for you? Maybe it means afternoon naps or finally reading some fiction.
I’m sad to say letting go doesn’t mean ice cream and beer every day if you’re concerned about your weight. That still comes with consequences. Try splurging on filet mignon instead of a T-bone steak to create that special feeling. Letting go of a healthy diet for a couple of weeks can have a long lasting, negative effect. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy ice cream in the summer. I certainly do. It means you get to choose your expenditures, which is what we should always do, vs. mindlessly consuming. So be honest with yourself and choose what’s really worth it to you.
I can’t think of a single good reason to not take time off. There is no badge for continuous work. Even when you love your work, or you’re a life-saving cardiac surgeon, it’s important to get away and separate from the daily routine.
I know it can be hard to get away. As a solo-entrepreneur I feel that pain with no one to replace me while I’m gone and no income without work, but once I’ve done what I can do and I hit the road it’s always worthwhile.
Speaking of tiny bubbles, Prosecco provides a lovely addition to Sangria. Letting go? Inevitable. Consequences? Potentially.