I love this and can relate to so much of it! I now come at it from a bit of a different angle because traveling means planning a “vacation” for my whole family, which includes kids. It rarely feels worth it because of the extreme exhaustion planning everything. And then obviously not relaxing on the actual holiday, because, well, kids. Even pre kids, I still felt overwhelmed by the planning process, just as you outlined it. You’re so right that we tire ourselves out and burn out, making the vacation feel more earned. But why?!
I’m really sorry about your dog 😔. I hope you can take the space you need even at home. A good lesson for all of us, but seemingly so hard to do.
I'm really sorry about your dog. We took a very elaborate trip in October (I'm reading this 4+ months after you wrote it) and it was really awesome but I 100% did the thing where the lead up (and the return) was absolute chaos. I would love to figure out how to live on vacation in my real life, but I'm not even sure where to start. At least thinking about it means I'm exploring it.
So sorry to hear about your dog. I completely agree with your message here - there are times when I’ve had an espresso and a cannoli from the local Italian cafe and felt the same ‘warm from the inside’ feeling that I’ve had abroad. Doing things slowly and consciously so often achieves the same result.
So sorry for Dolly! I did not expect that sentence there. I remembered when I lost my cat and felt all the grieve again. Hope you and your partner can take some time for yourselves.
This is such a great article! And I'm sure resonates with many. So many times I've come back from holiday and thought - I need another holiday! (Then felt guilty for feeling like that). I'm glad you knew yourself enough to know that you needed real rest after Dolly's sad passing, rather than to have the holiday. Thank you for writing! X
Your post is helpful and useful in asking why do we go on a trip/vacation. And then sizing the logistics and length of the trip to the answer of "Why."
As I've grown older, my travel has become much more intentional and much more focused around spending time with family. I don't like the disruption of travel so for me there has to be a compelling reason for it.
Haha this is so well timed! I’ve just spent the day frantically prepping for my holiday tomorrow, relaxed in a heap, opened my phone and read this 😅Love the idea of incorporating more of a holiday mindset into your every day. ✨and maybe in part it’s my mindset towards holidays that everything needs to be perfect and I need to pack to perfect things and remember everything, when usually you can get everything you need where ever you go anyway.
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet Dolly. This was a fascinating read. My work is travel (In Italy!) but I rarely travel somewhere new. I spend so much time & energy researching & working on other people’s vacations (which I love) I have no interest in going on one of my own. You have given me something to think more deeply about.
There should be a corrlation to this concept: before vacation, I have my job under control. When I go and come back, I spend a week just getting things back to managable. Sometimes, that is worth it. Sometimes, it is easier to have a long weekend doing nothing. Great writing, really gets to how and why we need time off.
I love this and can relate to so much of it! I now come at it from a bit of a different angle because traveling means planning a “vacation” for my whole family, which includes kids. It rarely feels worth it because of the extreme exhaustion planning everything. And then obviously not relaxing on the actual holiday, because, well, kids. Even pre kids, I still felt overwhelmed by the planning process, just as you outlined it. You’re so right that we tire ourselves out and burn out, making the vacation feel more earned. But why?!
I’m really sorry about your dog 😔. I hope you can take the space you need even at home. A good lesson for all of us, but seemingly so hard to do.
I'm really sorry about your dog. We took a very elaborate trip in October (I'm reading this 4+ months after you wrote it) and it was really awesome but I 100% did the thing where the lead up (and the return) was absolute chaos. I would love to figure out how to live on vacation in my real life, but I'm not even sure where to start. At least thinking about it means I'm exploring it.
Thanks so much, Noha. I kinda feel the same way about Christmas - the build up and the comedown definitely impact the actual day itself 🥲
So sorry to hear about your dog. I completely agree with your message here - there are times when I’ve had an espresso and a cannoli from the local Italian cafe and felt the same ‘warm from the inside’ feeling that I’ve had abroad. Doing things slowly and consciously so often achieves the same result.
So sorry for Dolly! I did not expect that sentence there. I remembered when I lost my cat and felt all the grieve again. Hope you and your partner can take some time for yourselves.
This is such a great article! And I'm sure resonates with many. So many times I've come back from holiday and thought - I need another holiday! (Then felt guilty for feeling like that). I'm glad you knew yourself enough to know that you needed real rest after Dolly's sad passing, rather than to have the holiday. Thank you for writing! X
So glad it resonated 😊
Thanks for this.
Your post is helpful and useful in asking why do we go on a trip/vacation. And then sizing the logistics and length of the trip to the answer of "Why."
As I've grown older, my travel has become much more intentional and much more focused around spending time with family. I don't like the disruption of travel so for me there has to be a compelling reason for it.
robertsdavidn.substack.com/about
Yes, it's definitely all about shifting to intentional living 🙌
we can “live as we vacation” is a whole ass mood I am trying to embrace.
Lovely piece, Anna (and great newsletter, too!)
Haha this is so well timed! I’ve just spent the day frantically prepping for my holiday tomorrow, relaxed in a heap, opened my phone and read this 😅Love the idea of incorporating more of a holiday mindset into your every day. ✨and maybe in part it’s my mindset towards holidays that everything needs to be perfect and I need to pack to perfect things and remember everything, when usually you can get everything you need where ever you go anyway.
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet Dolly. This was a fascinating read. My work is travel (In Italy!) but I rarely travel somewhere new. I spend so much time & energy researching & working on other people’s vacations (which I love) I have no interest in going on one of my own. You have given me something to think more deeply about.
There should be a corrlation to this concept: before vacation, I have my job under control. When I go and come back, I spend a week just getting things back to managable. Sometimes, that is worth it. Sometimes, it is easier to have a long weekend doing nothing. Great writing, really gets to how and why we need time off.