Long overdue vacation reminder
I'm not sure if you're like me, but I delay vacations for months, and those turn into years.
Then the breaks I do take are heartfelt but obligatory breaks to take care of loved ones. I'm happy to do that and have no regrets, but it makes a girl tired....
Now, I'm relaxing on a REAL vacation (!) and I realize again how necessary these are. I used to go to San Francisco annually in the middle of the gray NW winters to rejuvenate. That's what this is, but not in SF - just relaxing in my hometown:
- Long walks through the park blocks of downtown and to the beautifully restored Main Library
- City photo safari
- Mini-spa day
- Shopping for spring clothes at the outlet malls
- Meeting my parents' neighbors to get a sense of daily life here and my parents' other connections
- Went to the symphony this evening and fell in love with the song Bolero
- Taking the family out for a delayed Christmas dinner at a great little French restaurant that doesn't gouge the wallet
- Going through family heirlooms that go back 3 generations
- Meeting up with friends I've known since kindergarten (we have quite a bit of catching up to do)
- Reading books that are inspring and lighten the soul
- And then writing in my journal, brainstorming thoughts and creative ideas - whatever my mind and heart needs to say
These 'luxuries' don't need to be saved for once a year - but this post is a reminder to myself and anyone else that's on a to-do-list treadmill that mini-vacations in or out of town are essential. The economy and its effects are frightening and has heightened the pace and anxiety of so many- but stepping back from all of it is well worth it for perspective and remembering what's essential.
I'll step down from soapbox now ~ time to go to bed and fall asleep with a book in my hand.
Then the breaks I do take are heartfelt but obligatory breaks to take care of loved ones. I'm happy to do that and have no regrets, but it makes a girl tired....
Now, I'm relaxing on a REAL vacation (!) and I realize again how necessary these are. I used to go to San Francisco annually in the middle of the gray NW winters to rejuvenate. That's what this is, but not in SF - just relaxing in my hometown:
- Long walks through the park blocks of downtown and to the beautifully restored Main Library
- City photo safari
- Mini-spa day
- Shopping for spring clothes at the outlet malls
- Meeting my parents' neighbors to get a sense of daily life here and my parents' other connections
- Went to the symphony this evening and fell in love with the song Bolero
- Taking the family out for a delayed Christmas dinner at a great little French restaurant that doesn't gouge the wallet
- Going through family heirlooms that go back 3 generations
- Meeting up with friends I've known since kindergarten (we have quite a bit of catching up to do)
- Reading books that are inspring and lighten the soul
- And then writing in my journal, brainstorming thoughts and creative ideas - whatever my mind and heart needs to say
These 'luxuries' don't need to be saved for once a year - but this post is a reminder to myself and anyone else that's on a to-do-list treadmill that mini-vacations in or out of town are essential. The economy and its effects are frightening and has heightened the pace and anxiety of so many- but stepping back from all of it is well worth it for perspective and remembering what's essential.
I'll step down from soapbox now ~ time to go to bed and fall asleep with a book in my hand.