As my days of vacation dwindle, I find myself focused on what makes me happy. I have a finite number of days — and I want to make sure I don’t waste them. I’ve decided I need to takeaway the optimism I’m feeling on vacation and stir it into my daily life.
I’ve listed what makes me smile on vacation:
ONE
I’ve discovered I need beach time every day. A walk on the beach in the morning. An hour or two in my beach chair reading in the late afternoon. I’m not sure how to incorporate beach time in Arizona, but maybe more visits to the lake? Or, maybe it’s time outside in nature.
TWO
I’ve found satisfaction from writing and working. During the last year of shutdowns, I lost motivation. Freed on vacation, I did an interview and had a story published and it gave me a charge that I haven’t felt for awhile. (Most likely I haven’t felt it because I haven’t been writing and submitting my work.) Clear answer to this. Write more often and submit my work.
THREE
Another thing that I enjoy is playing like a kid. On our morning walk, my husband I discovered the park below our house had two permanent ping pong tables. I love ping pong. My husband loves ping pong. We had a ping pong table in our garage at our old home that got covered with dust with years of neglect. We didn’t move it to Arizona. I foresee a ping pong table on the patio.
FOUR
Reading is a big part of my vacation days. I read on the beach, I read in the middle of the day. I read at night. At home, I can definitely find more time to read.
FIVE
Drawing. As a kid, I spent hours drawing. I drew trees, houses, people, flowers. I loved to sketch. I was very judgmental of my work and felt I wasn’t any good at it. Especially when I compared myself to the two kids in my class who were “artists.” The teachers and kids would ooh and aah over their works. I took drawing and art classes in college as electives because it’s what I liked to do. On vacation, I brought a sketch pad and when I couldn’t find pencils or charcoal, I ordered a small set on Amazon. I like to sketch my surroundings here. I can take an art class, watch youtubes or keep on sketching at home.
What pleasures do enjoy on vacation that you can incorporate to your daily life?
I enjoy drawing too, and also have taken some courses.
I don’t worry much about what my drawings look like though , because it is a soothing and relaxing activity that makes the artist look at things carefully.
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I’m excited to get back to it. It’s nice to know you enjoy it too.
Oh yes, that’s the only thing we writers need to keep our eyes on. To write more. It’s great that you got this takeaway from your vacation, no less. Thanks for this post!
Thank you for commenting. I have been feeling so motivated on vacation and thought to myself, “Why can’t I bring this feeling home with me.”
I think it’s a great list and when you incorporate these activities at home too, you’ll bring a bit of vacation too
Thanks! I’m feeling so motivated and positive on vacation, I want to bring those feelings back to my everyday life.
You’re welcome!
Here’s the thing. I love vacation because I’m seeing new things, trying new stuff. Vacation is about discovery for me. I think I do a decent job of discovering new stuff when I’m home
I agree you do a lot of discovery at home. I get that from your posts and photos.
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Concrete ping pong tables are very California. That is so cool.
I wish I could bring the ocean home with me from vacation because I agree with you that more beach time is necessary.
The ocean has healing or spiritual powers. I wish I could bring it home, too,
You have a great list! I hope that you can bring all of these re-discoveries home with you, including adding a ping pong table to your patio!
I do too! I brought up the ping pong table with my husband and he’s game!