As an experiment, I did a vacation recently where I went somewhere warm with bodies of water and did basically nothing but read books by those bodies of water the whole time. I know many people had figured out this kind of vacation long ago, but it was my first time, and I can report that it ruled. Try it if you haven’t. Maybe you don’t like reading and it’s an all-video-games vacation. You do you.
Laura Olin > 183: He stole forsythia.
This is my entire plan for our upcoming vacation. Renting a house on a lake, with a hot tub. Reading. Lounging. Writing. Relaxing. Slow days and even slower nights. Finding a comfortable place to curl up and slow down.
If we need some excitement, we might go wander an antique mall. For the weekend, we are going to Philadelphia to the Museum of Art. But we’re not planning to sight see or making big lists of attractions.
Whatever we stumble across, we might investigate. (Did you know there’s a Wolf Sanctuary in Pennsylvania?) If we drive by a weird sign for an attraction, we’re going to see it. I love stumbling across weird things.
When you see a Hammer Museum in Alaska, and you’ve made time to explore weirdness, you’re rewarded. I did not get to go into the Hammer Museum because we were on a cruise’s timeline. But walking by it was fun and I enjoyed the giant hammer.
Take restful vacations. Play video games the entire time. Read a book you’ve been meaning to get to. Finish the three books you have going so you can start something fresh. Binge all of those movies you’ve been wanting to watch or catch up on your favorite TV show.
Finding some place that’s not your house helps to shift your perspective. There’s no dishes to worry about or cleaning to do. All of the little things you notice around your house vanish when you’re in another space. Whether it be a hotel room, house or cabin rental, or if you enjoy camping, sleep out under the stars and sit by the fire.
Slow down. Breathe. And immerse yourself in something you truly enjoy.