Hello!
When we were on vacation last summer on a fabulous beach resort in the Caribbean, I remember thinking as I laid there looking at my beautifully pedicured toes…”How do I keep this feeling all year round, especially through high stress situations?”
It wasn’t a thought/question that bothered me in any way or caused any lowering of the relaxation factor. It just popped into my head and I drifted off meditating on it. I knew it was an important life question and that I’d return to it at some point. Later that evening, over dinner under the stars my husband and I talked through a plan to keep the vacation mode going.
We often think that as we unplug for vacation we just have to stop all “work” and constructive engagement: Not true at all.
Living is not something we should do less fully while on vacation…in fact it’s while on vacation that we have the space and grace for increased “constructive engagement.” We will be richer post-vacation, the vacation itself will be more memorable and we will do way more than simply unwind if these 5 powerful questions are posed while on vacation:
What is it about this very moment that is so wonderful?
How can I instill this feeling, at will at other (less than peaceful) times?
What toxic thoughts and habits do I need to get rid of?
How can I be proactive about responding to challenging situations? (What’s the plan and maintenance required to NOT respond from a stressed mindset?)
If this was my last vacation ever, what do I want to make sure I get done?
Write these out on an index card or small travel journal and ask/answer them often. You may have different answers on different days. The idea here is to capture the essence of the relaxation mode and bring it back with you! You also want to make sure you fully enjoy your time away from your regular daily routine by being present and constructively engaged in/with all that is around you.
Of course if a boatload of sleep is needed to just get back to a normal energy level, then do what you need to do…but, don’t forget vacations are not just for filling up the energy tank, they’re also for becoming re-charged, re-energized and re-inspired to live your best possible life…each day of your life.
Wishing you an abundance of joy, peace and love,
♥~
