This year, for the first time in recent memory, my family and I were able to take a two-week vacation. It was quite an experience, which I recommend to everyone if you are able to do so! But I could not help “getting up on the balcony” and watching my own process during the trip. Here is what I learned about my own personal “stages of vacation.” They may or may not resonate with you.
Days -1-0: Anxious planning
Holy crap, we are about to leave for 2 weeks. Have I done everything/packed everything/planned for everything? What am I forgetting? (What I forgot: to turn in that Redbox movie…whoops).
Days 1-2: Disbelief
Am I really on vacation? I needed this so badly, I can’t believe it is finally here. Thank goodness. But, um, exactly how does one “relax”??
Days 3-4: Reorienting
Okay, I am getting into the swing of things. I don’t have to rush. I don’t have to do everything all at once. Thank goodness this is a two-week trip or else it would be half over.
Days 5-11: Enjoying
Yes! This is the life! Takin’ my time, relaxing, no rush to do anything or get anywhere. The kids are happy, the spouse is happy. And I am definitely happy. I wish we could be like this all the time.
Days 12-13: Missing Home
This has been nice, but I miss my bed. And I miss all the utensils and gadgets in my kitchen. And my pets. I will try to savor these last few days, but I think that I am ready to go home.
Day 14: Returning
YAY! We are going home. What a great vacation, and I will be so glad to be home.
Day 15: Exhaustion
Ok, I need to unpack, do the grocery shopping, do laundry, pay bills, balance the checkbook, check up on email, sort through the mail, clean up after the pets, sort through all these pictures…I think I need a vacation!
May you find the time and resources to get away long for long enough that you are able to look forward to returning home.
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