If you live in South Carolina and have kids, you probably experienced Spring Break last week. Many folks go to the beach, go camping, or take some other type of vacation during a school break. But what do you do when you need a break, but you can’t take the time off from work or you can’t afford to travel?
Change the daily routine.
A big part of vacation is simply changing your every-day routine. What time does the alarm go off? How fancy is your breakfast, lunch, or dinner? What meetings or pre-planned activities are you committed to and spending time on? Purposefully simplifying your routine for a week – removing a few items that clutter the schedule or changing a few small things like your afternoon coffee break – can allow for some mental “vacation” space.
Embrace the simple and beautiful.
Many people appreciate vacation because they get away from “normal” life and experience beautiful things – sunsets, oceans, adventure, roller coasters. Can you add some of these things into “normal” life more frequently? Every town across America has green parks built in, museums to visit, and quirky coffee shops or other activities to enjoy. Go enjoy!
Focus your mind and heart on rest.
Vacations are meant to rejuvenate not only your body, but your soul. Resting from daily worries is important. In fact, this is very biblical! God does not simply recommend Sabbath, He actually commands it. He tells us to take a weekly vacation from work and worry. He knew that rest and rejuvenation is important. We all rejuvenate differently. Some of us love adventure, some love peace and quiet. But all of us need rest. Our bodies need sleep. Some of our best ideas come while we’re in the shower, doing mindless activities. What rejuvenates you? How do you best experience rest? Add it in more intentionally to your regular routine.
Many people say that vacation is a state of mind. This may be truer than we realize! How do you rest? What do you find beautiful? What rejuvenates you? Embrace these things more regularly, and you may find that vacation-mode finds you.