“A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.” – Robert Orben

Vacation is here!

July 25th has been circled on my desk calendar for the last two months – the day my family and I left for vacation. Waking early last Thursday morning eager with anticipation, we finished packing and left for the airport with time to spare. The beach waited next and we didn’t want to miss a second.

On the way to the airport, I caught myself thinking of what projects didn’t get finished and the lingering emails left in my inbox. I promised myself that once we boarded the plane, I would switch from work mode and to vacation mode.

To make that happen, I knew that I had to come up with a plan. Since I take only one real vacation each year, I don’t have a lot of practice with unwinding, checking out and simply decompressing. But in my typical style, I wrote down a few things that would help me have a relaxing vacation.

If you are heading off for your vacation soon, you are invited to read A Simple Guide to a Blissful Vacation so you can find the relaxation you deserve, too:

Circle the date
There never seems to be the perfect time to take a vacation. To make your vacation a reality, find the best date that works and then circle it.

Pick the destination
Talk with your family about where they would like to go. Gather all of the ideas and then find a destination everyone will be happy visiting. While it may impossible to please everyone, your family can at least rotate where you go each year.

Realize what’s possible
A blissful vacation doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Don’t feel like you have to head off to a resort or a popular theme park for the vacation to count. Sometimes the best vacations are the ones you know are affordable and within your family’s budget.

Begin shifting
After committing to a date and making the necessary arrangements, begin shifting your attention to the things that need to be completed, or at least partially completed, before your vacation arrives. You will find yourself in a better state of mind to relax if you know that you accomplished what was essential before the vacation starts.

Expect problems
There’s no such thing as the perfect vacation. Hotel reservations get fouled up, flights get delayed and the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Heading into the vacation with expectations a few notches below perfection will give you the right state of mind to roll with these inconveniences – just like you do when you’re not on vacation.

A zero-work policy isn’t needed
If you would feel less anxious by checking your email once in the morning or in the evening, give yourself that choice. Keeping a light pulse on what’s happening back at the office may give you the confidence to use the other twenty three and half hours to disconnect – and really do it.

Do what you love
No matter the destination or size of your budget, spend plenty of time doing what you love. Read a book, play cards, or take long walks. Welcome blissfulness by doing what is good for your mind, body and soul.

About Alex Blackwell

Alex Blackwell is a father, husband and writer. He writes about inspiring things at The BridgeMaker.
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