A Permanent Vacation…
CHICAGO
This Friday I’ll be traveling from Chicago to Victoria, British Columbia, to visit my daughter and son in-law. I missed posting on Music Monday and Time Travel Tuesday because I’m in, “getting things ready for the trip” mode.
I’m always envious of people who can just throw a few items in a bag, lock the front door and leave for their destination — almost like child, right? Lately I’ve been asking myself, “How on earth did I let things get so complicated?” Of course there’s no real answer. Sometimes I hear the old tagline from “Days of Our Lives” playing in my head — “Like sands through the hourglass… so are the days of our lives.” I know, depressing. Sigh…..
Like sands through the hourglass, so are all the things I need to do to get ready for my trip.
I think the reason we feel so great on vacation, or any trip away from home, is because we’re free of responsibilities; bills in the mail, unwanted phone calls, etc. There’re no reminders of our stressful lives. We’ve packed light, our choices are few. We’re unencumbered. We’ve shed the weight of our substantial lives and replaced it with a comfortable tee-shirt and jeans. Our concerns are reduced down to, “What do you want to do today?”
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’d like to start living my life more in vacation mode. I can hear all of you, now. “Really Lisa? Who wouldn’t? Duh. Welcome to everyone in the world’s fantasy!” Okay, well I realize it’s a fantasy, so let me fine tune it a bit. (Remember, I’m entering my “Chapter Two” years. For those of you who are young and just starting your lives, keep this in mind — in another 30 years you’ll likely be here, too.)
How to Cross Over Into a Permanent Vacation Mode.
- De-clutter. As I’ve gotten older my priorities have changed. I no longer need to be surround by “stuff.” I want a stream-lined existence, just the bare essentials. (Not sterile, just simple.)
- I want efficiency and practicality in a home. I’d like to move into a situation where I could lock the door and leave without worrying about, freezing pipes, air filters, filling the water softener with salt, adjusting the thermostat, plumbing issues, fallen trees/limbs, power outages, snow plows, etc. If you know where this place exists, please tell me.
- I’d like to lose a few pounds (okay, maybe more than “a few,” but who’s counting?) I’d like to feel free and confident when choosing something to wear. I want to throw on any old thing and look good without any fuss. *This is very much a part of MY vacation mode.
- I want sunshine and I want an ocean. That’s not too much to ask, is it?
- I want my energy to go into things I really care about and stop spending time being “there” for everyone else. I’m a burnt out therapist. I’ve let myself get depleted. A re-structuring of my priorities is needed – big time.
I’m trying to declutter too – difficult!!! It feels so good after making the decision to let things go, however. 🙂
I completely agree. I’m convinced that living more simply brings peace of mind. But you’re right, it is difficult.
It is difficult. Some days, I want to simply box it all up and toss it, then, I find the pencil cup made out of an orange juice can and macaroni and spray painted gold that Bud made in pre-school, and I can’t do it, I can’t throw it away. Blargh.
I agree on the living in a place where you aren’t responsiple for the upkeep. How lovely to make a call, and say, “Yes, my stove is acting up, come fix it, would you?”. Pure luxury.
Keep the important treasures, box a few up, and take a picture of the rest and get rid of it. I know it’s hard but it’s easier to live without the weight of it. You can’t take it with you, right?
Pure luxury, that’s exactly right.
Good idea. I’ve found lately that I’ll say, “Oh, that vase was your great great grandmothers vase” and Bud and/or Anne will reply, “I don’t care, it’s awful and I don’t want it.” So, why keep them? I’ll sell them I guess.
I totally forgot to write what I was thinking earlier–wallow in the joy of time with Lily and her husband. Enjoy the sea and curling up with Lily on the new sofa and just the pleasure of being with your child. Safe journey, my blogging friend.
Thanks Addie! “…the pleasure of being with your child.” You do remember I’m visiting Lily, right? hahaha!!! I’ll have much to report when I get back.
Haha! Retirement Home Lady! I agree with absolutely everything you said! Especially spending my energy and time on what’s important to me. I have noticed that the older I get the less important “house issues” are to me. Time is so precious and I really don’t want to spend it vacuuming. I figure if I don’t spend my time doing what I’ve always wanted to do I never will. And I’ve pretty much got it narrowed down to the things I love. Only drawback is that time flies by way too fast!
Have a wonderful trip to see your daughter. I hope you have sun and ocean Lisa! You deserve it!!
Thank you, Linda, that’s very kind.
Time is precious. I don’t think my life needs to be nearly as complicated and congested as it is. I figure I can lighten my load by at least 50%, if not more. That oughta put me in vacation mode!
Maybe what I’m trying to say is… I need The Daily System?! haha!
LOL! Oh noooooo!
I think I would like to be in permanent vacation mode. I have to find myself under all my clutter first!
It’s difficult, isn’t it? To everything there is a season…. You’re still a beautiful, young, mother. I think clutter is just par for the course. I think the bottom line is that we all should be a little more discerning with our time, surroundings, and activities. At least we have a goal in mind, an idea of what our lives could feel like — permanent vacay! haha!
Why do women need to pack so much stuff to go away, I’ll take my girlfriend somewhere for a night and she’ll bring a case load of stuff I couldn’t fill if I was going away for a month! Hope you have fun up there, I’m expecting a hat with antlers bought, that’s what they wear right?
Yup, that’s the plan – a hat with antlers and a ski coat! ha!
I know, I can’t deny it. I always over pack and then I only wear one or two things. Ha! It must be a self esteem thing or maybe a need to be prepared, just in case? Girls always pride themselves on being prepared in emergency situations. I don’t know why we do it… it’s pretty dumb, I’ll admit.
I suppose it’s better than men who wait until an emergency happens before they MacGyver up a solution haha 🙂
haha! Every guy wants to be MacGyver!
When I divorced a few yrs back I had a MAJOR de-clutter event in my home…then sold the house, now rent a house so if the pipes burst…not my worry. You & I are probably in the same age bracket and simple is so much better…
I hope you get that ocean & sun because it really is lovely…
have a fabulous trip and most of all R-e-l-a-x!!1
Thanks! That was a great comment. I feel validated and understood.
I will do my best to relax. : )
I’m ready for the life you described and I’m only in my first chapter of life. I don’t like a lot of things in my house-just the necessities. I guess when you have kids and stuff a lot of other things come along with them
You’re right, it’s children and a bigger house and all that comes with that life. But you’ve always been good at keeping things simple. We’ll see how it goes as your life expands. Haha!
Hi,
There is nothing better than being able to go on a vacation, your right of course we leave all the usually stuff behind us, and we just relax and enjoy, it certainly would be fantastic if we could live like this everyday, but still, getting away every now and then is great, and I know you will enjoy your trip. 🙂
Thanks, Mags! I’ll try and enjoy this little getaway, but I’m seriously going to make some adjustments when I get home so that my life feels more like a vacation.
I like holidays for several reasons, but unpacking is the worst part for sure! And, however I’m prepared, I always end up searching for important stuff in the mornings right before leaving. Whatever I do to be prepared…
One thing I really like about traveling, is that there’s plenty of people who don’t know you. Then I always dress up, and when we’re having dinner in the hotel, I try to look as good as I can.
When there’s a chance to leave a great impression, you should take it, right? Further on I like to wander around and let my fantasy work. When I make up stories that take place where I’m traveling, I know that I like the place!
I do the same thing! I always scramble around in the morning looking for things to throw in my suitcase. haha! If I go someplace nice then I always try and look good, dress up, etc. It’s part of the romantic fantasy, I guess?
I think you make a really interesting point regarding if a place inspires you to feel creative – yes, those are probably places we need to spend more time in.
I definitely try to be as detached from objects as possible so that I can pack up and move whenever. Whenever I do move now I usually don’t unpack a lot of the things. Mostly the sentimental objects stay tucked away in plastic bins.
Could we possibly be looking at a duel blog from the LI Express? (That’s what I call you and Lily now because both of your names start with LI and your wit and wisdom can only be comparable to an Expressway, whatever that means)
Aww… How sweet of you to connect Lily and I to the beautiful Long Island Expressway. haha! Actually I love it. Lily and I are basically the same person except she’s young and beautiful and funny and I’m… well, not. haha! You have my permission to refer to us as the LI expressway whenever it’s fitting.
So you live light, eh? I think that’s amazing. Do you think if you get married one day that you’ll try to maintain the “light” lifestyle or do you think you’ll cave and start buying crap? It’s hard not to.
Oh come on! All kids get their looks from some place. I’d put a winky face here but you’re my virtual mom and that’s too much.
I think I live light because my house was always so cluttered. Until and if I have children I think I’ll be that way. Wow, that’s a scary thought.
haha! I don’t even know how to do a winky face, that’s why I always put those stupid sideways smiles. haha! Maybe as my virtual son you can help me out and teach me a new trick?
That’s probably why. We usually want to do the opposite of what our parents did.
Yeah, one day you’ll be knee deep in some sort of pokemon collectible! haha! 5 to 10 years from now who knows what the popular toys will be?