Hit “Vacation Mode”
What is the purpose of vacation? To vacate your life? To go somewhere new? To renew and refresh your mind, body, and soul? All of the above are perfectly acceptable answers, however I often wonder if there is more to a vacation than we realize.
A very smart person once said that preparing for a vacation is almost better than actually taking one. There is hope for a new adventure, a yearning for time to relax or explore, and a spark of excitement that you have something to look forward to.
If you didn’t already know, I live, work, breathe, and dream about Pinterest (it’s my job). I’m not surprised that it’s grown in popularity so quickly. Pinterest is a vacation on your computer, an escape wherever you are. It’s a destination for inspiration, planning every small detail and large aspirational vision for your life. I can log in and escape (or vacate) from the everyday and explore new possibilities for the future. How will I style my dream home? What places should I add to my bucket list? What should I wear to a beach wedding (if I’m ever invited to one)?
[Did you see what I did there? I started writing about vacation and instead wrote about work. I guess when you love your job, it’s bound to happen.]
Each board becomes a catalog of future plans, ideas, and inspiration for what might be, someday.
There are a lot of people living in the “someday” state-of-mind. I will truly be happy someday – after I plan my perfect wedding, after I find the perfect job, after I have enough money to do all of the things that I want to do. What happens after that? Are you truly happy then? Or seeking out the next thing that will be your idea of true happiness? Is it the destination or the journey?
I believe vacation is like this (except that the destination is much better than the journey). Vacation is an idea of happiness. It’s an opportunity for hope and anticipation. It’s something to keep our mind occupied as we struggle through mundane, stressful, and “normal” everyday things. It’s an invitation to plan, dream, be a little selfish, and do something nice for ourselves. So, in a sense, vacation is a mindset, a desire, and a “place to go” (even if it’s in your own head).
Today I am jetting off to a beautiful place for vacation. Until I return, I’ve prepared a few posts that kept my mind in its hopeful-planning-vacation state. Don’t get jealous. Use this as a chance to dream up your own fantastical adventure (if only in your imagination) or find your “vacation mode” button that you can turn on whenever you darn please.
Donning bikinis all week,
