Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Coming back from Vacation

Vacations and trips are great for pulling us out of our patterns of life, for better or worse.

In a good way, we’re exposed to new perspectives and experiences. We’re in a different environment where we can sample a change of pace or a change of setting. Maybe it’s the much-needed relaxation or sense of adventure we're after, but regardless of the reason for the trip, it usually suspends our regular patterns of life. In most cases this is a good thing because it allows us to take a step back from what we’ve been doing on autopilot for probably too long and take a breather either to escape the stress or escape the monotony.

But sometimes it can have the effect of taking one out of a good weekly routine. Having just returned from a 12-day vacation in the Bahamas, I was surprised by my desire to get back to my life back home. Although I had a great time in both Freeport and Nassau, it was an interesting feeling to be excited to get back to “the daily grind”. I've never felt that way before, especially on a fun trip like this one, but I think it's a good sign that I’m happy with my everyday life.

It may also be that during this vacation, I found it difficult to do things that make me feel good like eating healthy, exercising, and staying in touch with people. I also felt the momentum of my business was put on hold for a week, which is a long time when you've got a few irons in the fire.

I also became more sensitive to, and appreciative of, the small things that make me happy – a good cup of coffee, having time to read, being hydrated, access to the internet (!), and being able to eat before I'm starving (I found I had more than my share of hangry moments this trip).

Compound it with the stress of switching hotels every few nights, planning activities for the day, driving on the opposite side of the street, and being harassed by time-share pushers and it really made me appreciate the amenities of home.

Maybe it’s that I’m getting older and tolerate less (or expect more?), but I like to think that I finally found a daily routine that I enjoy. Is this what being home-sick is?

  • What have you been excited to come back for while on vacation?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think most of the vacationers need to get away to pause for a few days and enjoy different climate, people, learn something new and relax from commuting, crowds, routine, take the kids on a new experience, etc...

They are necessary because even if you like your job and your life, a change is good. It makes you appreciate what you have.