It’s tough to let go of work, routine and that list of things to do in favor of something that can feel much more stressful: relaxation. Vacations have gotten harder and harder to commit to, especially when you’re expected to respond to emails and texts within the hour. This “connected” way of living can slowly disconnect us from our bodies, keeping us half-somewhere else or anticipating where we’re going next. Time goes faster and personal reflection slips away. Vacation is one way we can schedule it back in again.
The benefits of a vacation are easy to forget when you haven’t had one in a long time. It can seem frivolous and almost irresponsible when you’re riding an epic wave of productivity. Besides a nice tan and some healthy stress-reduction, vacation can give us a renewed self-awareness that is separate from our constructed life. It’s a very specific reset button that reminds us of who we really are when everything else is stripped away. And it gives us more ability to stay in tuned with that person when we return to our work/home bubble. The better you know yourself, the easier life gets, the more confident you can be, and the more successful and happy you can be. And that is a worthwhile benefit.
Taking time for travel and relaxation also serves as a marker that will make this year of life more memorable. You will see change that has already occurred in yourself for the first time, and you will see where you’re headed much more clearly. Almost like drawing a line on the doorway when you were little: you wouldn’t see the change unless you compared it to the year previous, and without novel experiences it’s difficult to draw lines in our memories.
If you are one of those people that cannot feel comfortable relaxing and your anxiety pushes you to busy yourself constantly, try yoga, hiking, or swimming on your vacation. And when that wave of guilt tells you that you really should check your email, commit to saying no. Commit to your present, and know that the world will continue on whether you answer return emails or not. That muscle will grow stronger over time, and then it will feel natural, almost like a do-not-disturb setting on your brain.
Take some time to check-in and reconnect while vacation-season is still upon us. Get to a place that makes you feel far away from everything “home.” Even that’s just for a day, give yourself the chance to reconnect with the sun, sleeping in, and simply who you are.
Happy summer and happy Sunday, lovely people! xox Sarah
Featured image via my vacation
Wow. I always feel like you write something extremely relevant to what I’m going through each Sunday. Thanks for your insights each week, Sarah!
That makes me happy – thanks Hailey! xox
Gosh I loved this. I was just thinking this too. Thank you so much for the reminder.
http://www.honeyinthesun.com
Yay thank you Zelina! x
It is very true all that you have written to us, working so much time made us like a plastic human beings, we just have to finish our job, making the same routine every day even thought we would not know if the final result of our job is ok or not.
In my life experience i am positive to say that there is no other reason to regret ourselves than realize on time what we are really heading our lifes regarding our jobs or studies, time pass by so fast that in most of cases its too late when we notice we haven’t done a really sense job in our short lifetime on the earth…
Thank so much to remaind us how valuable are our lifes with the help of your worthwhile tips.
Alberto Toyofuku Konishi
Lima-Peru
Yay I love this Alberto! It’s true, I can’t remember most every day of my late-nights spent at work, but my visit to Peru was certainly memorable. Glad you liked this and thanks for your comment! x
Thank you so much for writing this this week – as usual, it comes exactly when I need it, and I’m inclined to say you’re in my head
! I finished my second year of uni a week ago and felt rather lost without work – because, having had 29,000 words to write in the course of this term alone, I’ve not had much time for anything else. In this last week I must admit I’ve felt guilt-ridden when I’ve done anything other than prepare for next year. I know I need to rest in order to be fully ready for my finals in the autumn and that in some ways I have much bigger fish to fry regarding my physical state, but it’s hard, so thanks for the reminder.
As Amalia says, if you’re off on a break, have a fabulous time – and thank you for all the help you’ve given us (me!)
Much love Jxx
Damn girl, you sound like you have a ton of work every day! I guess the good part is when you’re done with school you’re done for good – good luck with the thousands of words, and thanks for these kind words, as always! xoxoxo
Hey Sarah! Vacations are one of the better things in life. I can’t wait for my exams to be finally over, but I always make sure that even during my ‘busy’ times, I’ll have some time off, an afternoon, a day if I can afford it, and do something creative or do nothing at all – sometimes that just works better
Is this a goodbye post from you, for the summer? If so, I’d like to thank you for your lovely articles and the time you took to share your thoughts with us! I know you have helped me a lot. Have a wonderful, wonderful time!
If not, see you next Sunday, of course!
Much love! x
LOL i did miss a week of replying so in a way it was a “goodbye” post – but not for the summer! Thanks for your comment and good luck with exams!! xoxoxo