I feel that when I say or hear the phrase, “I need a vacation”, it really has little to do with going on a vacation at all. It has to do with the feeling of disconnecting from your current situation, to letting go of the weight that you are carrying and to take a pause to clear your mind. My Dad calls it, “Stepping off of the Merry-Go-Round”.  

The best way that we do this is to literally remove ourselves from our current surroundings. We remove distractions, obligations and make time for self-care. I love that moment when I am an hour into my flight or in the passenger seat on a road trip and my mind begins to gain clarity. I find myself telling my husband all of my ideas that come to me (I love ideation). I start to feel ambitious, creative and regain confidence. It is a sign that the recharging process has begun.  

All I can do is sit and focus on what I choose to do with that designated time. I can listen to music or an audiobook, watch a movie, read, work on my laptop, sleep, organize my thoughts or try to not think at all. Now traveling with kids, my husband and I take turns with our infant in arms on our lap on the plane. Although less time than before, I will take any and all “me” time that I can get.  

My favorite place to vacation is anywhere near the ocean. The energy of the waves, so consistent, so powerful and so uncontrollable. I can feel it in my soul. My shoulders drop and I take the energy in. Sometimes this energy is in the form of excitement, curiosity and adventure. Other times it is of being calm and relaxed. My adrenaline drops and I am content with doing absolutely nothing. To just be still and present. I will say the latter has been more common for me after becoming a parent. Instead of zip lining upside down in the mountains across a jungle, I am just as thrilled taking a walk on the beach to show my son the ocean for his first time. 

I spend the time clearly thinking about all of the things I want to do, how to do them best and in what order that I will complete when I do return back to my normal reality. It is so clear. I am focused, energized and excited to bring this version of myself back.  

I describe all of this with no intention of you leaving this blog to go book a trip. It is to remind you of the feeling, the version of yourself at the end of a vacation.  

Life has drastically changed this last year. Travel has changed, our work has changed, daily life has changed, our time in our home has changed, we have changed.  

Like I wrote about in the post, Project vs. Process, we all give from the well until it is dry. But what is our process to fill the well back up?… And on a steady and consistent daily or weekly basis? For me, I disconnect and make time for myself when I take a shower. The steady water pressure, the thoughtless routine, removal of distractions and the thought of literally washing off the day or starting it off fresh… I do my best thinking in the shower. It is where I get some of my best ideas. It is also where I draw strength and heal during the tough times. It is my favorite place in my house- also perfectly minimalistic and organized. My husband knows that when I tell him that I need to take a shower- it is his time to watch the kids. I shut the door, turn on my favorite music and vacation.  

Find what your vacation is. Maybe it is running, walking, yoga, cooking, baking, taking a bath, video gaming, writing, sitting in your car listening to music, an audio book in your favorite chair or watching your favorite show. Then do it. Do more of it. Make the time. Fill your life with Favorite. And I know that it is harder than ever to do so for many- home schooling, working, pandemic life, etc. But again, I am here to remind you that amongst it all, you need to find that vacation energy. And after you do, get back to your goal getting my Efficient friend.