When Vacation isn't Enough

Nearly sixty percent of Americans (58% according to the Deloitte 2024 Summer Travel Survey) reported planning a vacation for this summer. The number one motivator for travel? …rest and relaxation. But if you are like me, the motivation may not always be matched by the outcome. 

In my experience, vacations are fraught with high expectations. While absolutely necessary and beneficial, meeting the expectation of coming back refreshed and rejuvenated is harder than I plan. It starts with the impossible list of tasks and responsibilities I’ve set out to complete before leaving on vacation. Then comes an exhausting and sometimes stressful day of travel. Once we’ve settled into our accommodation, family quibbling is a given and it could take 2-3 days before I fully unwind. In the worst cases, I get sick - my body finally giving way after the adrenaline wears off from the constant turn of the hamster wheel. I’m lucky if I have two days of bliss, before I already start thinking about and dreading the pile up of work that waits for me when I return. Not to mention the emails I’ve read and responded to along the way. 

I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t always had and still don’t have the healthiest habits around vacations. However, what has changed is my mindset about what really contributes to a sustainable pace and rhythm between work and rest. Taking two, one week vacations per year, is no longer the be all end all. The thought that two weeks out of the year could sustain me for the 50 other weeks is really crazy to begin with! 

To sustain rest and relaxation on a regular basis, beyond vacation, we need to create reserves of three things: 

1. Time: Having at least an hour or two of time each day, beyond resting, just for you.
2. Space: Having room to think and be, without pressure, obligation or adrenaline.
3. Energy: Having enough oomph to get through the day consistently and rest well at night. 

To have a reserve means you have more than you need. In today’s world, our time, space and energy is often over leveraged. We give out, more than we take in. But, you can’t run a car without gas. I don’t know about you, but I always fill my tank before setting off on a road trip.  Why don’t we do the same for our minds and our bodies?
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There are many benefits to building reserves of time, space and energy. When we build reserves we create the ability to choose to do what fulfills us and allows us to be our true selves. We give ourselves the space to grow and thrive. We are happier and more at peace. In turn we are more “attractive” to our friends, loved ones and colleagues creating successful and meaningful relationships. And remember those coveted vacations? Those actually become enjoyable because you no longer depend on them like trying to rehydrate from a tiny sip of water in a dry desert. 

To start your journey building reserves, think about these questions:

• What would it feel like to have reserves of time, space and energy?
• What would you be able to do or accomplish if you had these reserves?
• What is one thing you can start/stop doing right now to build reserves?

​Want to chat about what’s getting in the way of building your reserves? Reach out! And check out this idea bank to trigger your own reserve building steps.