Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from. ~ Seth Godin
I mean, seriously, we all seem to have this bizarre obsession with them. We eagerly anticipate their arrival, mourn their impending departure, and then proceed to mope around like we’ve lost a dear friend once they’re over. What’s the deal?
Let’s break down this absurd love affair with vacations, shall we?
First off, it’s during these supposed blissful breaks that we convince ourselves we’re in control. Oh yes, control freaks unite! We revel in the illusion that we dictate our waking and sleeping hours, and somehow, we’re the kings and queens of our own little temporal kingdoms. If by chance, we end up on vacation with someone playing puppet master with our time, well, brace yourself for the worst holiday ever!
Then there’s the grand escapade from reality. For a brief moment, we release the toxic grip of our office, toxic relationships, life stresses, and the perpetual feeling of unfulfillment. But, heaven forbid if we dare take a vacation with work looming over us or share the escapade with the very people we’re trying to escape from – might as well label that as a non-vacation, right?
Oh, and don’t forget the glorious sense of progress! Checking off destinations like a to-do list ninja, hitting all the planned spots, indulging in games, devouring books, and clocking those z’s – because productivity, even during leisure, is life. But hey, if you happen to venture into the vacation abyss without an agenda, be prepared to return feeling as drained as you were before the grand escape.
So, this concoction of control, escapism, and progress supposedly sums up the vacation vibe. But here’s a revelation: If you’ve got these vibes going on in your daily life – always feeling like a time lord, no need to dodge reality, and perpetually on the path of progress – then congratulations, you’re probably not part of the “I need a vacation” cult.
Vacations, for the majority of us mere mortals, are basically an attempt to dodge our own existence. It’s no wonder we end up questioning, “Why is this heavenly retreat coming to an end?” instead of the more sensible, “Can’t wait to get back to the thrilling monotony of my life.”
So, here’s a revolutionary thought: Instead of daydreaming about your next getaway, maybe focus on constructing a life that doesn’t have you yearning for escape.