The Vacation I Actually Want

Note from Jamie

I like to share things that light me up, fill me with joy, and make my life easier. Nothing is sponsored. These are just things that are helping me along my journey.

The Vacation I Actually Want

As I've been preparing for an upcoming trip with my family, I've noticed something interesting.

The trip itself isn't stressful.

My thoughts about the trip are.

Will I get enough sleep? Will we spend too much money? Will I lose momentum with my workouts? Are we making the most of our time? Should we see more? Do more? Plan more?

This morning, feeling a little exhausted from all the preparation, I opened my journal and wrote a simple list:

"On this trip, may I...

Enjoy my family.

Remember that everything works out for us.

Trust that I will get enough sleep.

Enjoy a new city and a new state.

Be mindful of money, but not afraid to spend it.

Have fun.

Trust that my exercise routine will be waiting for me when I get home.

Remember that walking counts.

Remember that rest counts.

Know that it's okay to spend an afternoon at the pool and do absolutely nothing else."

As I read the list back to myself, I realized something.

The vacation I actually want has very little to do with checking things off an itinerary.

It has everything to do with being present.

Somewhere along the way, I (and I'm guessing many of you,) started believing that vacations need to be optimized. We need to see everything, do everything, eat at all the right places, get the perfect photos, and make every moment count.

But what if making the moment count simply means being fully there for it?

What if the best part of the trip isn't the attraction, the excursion, or the restaurant?

What if it's laughing with my family, sleeping in a little later, taking a walk, floating in the pool, and letting life unfold without trying to control every detail?

That's the vacation I'm hoping to have.

Not a perfect one.

Just a present one.

This week, I'd love to leave you with a gentle reminder:

You don't have to do everything.

You don't have to see everything.

You don't have to earn your rest.

Sometimes the most meaningful memories are made in the unplanned moments when you finally give yourself permission to simply enjoy where you are and who you're with.

xoxo,

Jamie