How to Make Summer Vacation Productive (and FUN!)
Summer vacation is a great time to disconnect and catch up on much-needed rest and relaxation time. Summer vacation also offers you a time to gain fresh perspectives and insights and self-reflection. In fact, the invitation isn’t limited to summer’s sunshine-filled days, time outside of the normal routines and work habits can help you take a look at the big picture and determine what’s next.
This blog will provide you with some of the questions to reflect on and ask yourself for time off that’s both productive and FUN!
Out-of-Office
Whether you took time to craft a witty out-of-office message, or you tossed up a generic reply because you were racing toward your vacation days, the time has come and you finally get an opportunity to rest, relax, and disconnect from your work life while you refill your cup.
As you sink into your vacation time, make sure to celebrate where you are in your life and all the hard work you do every day. Then, give yourself gratitude for the fact that you’ve taken this time just for YOU. You’ve honored this time and committed to taking time off for you - make sure to show yourself some appreciation!
What do you want?
While I want to encourage you to be present and in the moment during your downtime, there are simultaneously some big questions you can let your mind wander with and sit with while you’re on vacation. These don’t have to be actively thought through and pondered on poolside, they can be running in the background as you give your brain a chance to think and feel outside the confines of ordinary life and routine.
A relaxed setting and state of mind can make all the difference.
What if you took some time during this Summer vacation to ask yourself:
What do you really want?
Is this how you want your life to look?
What do you want to do?
Who do you want to be?
What do you still want to accomplish?
Allow these questions to marinate in your mind as you go about enjoying your vacation time. If your vacation is a slower pace with room for journaling and reflection time, perhaps you write these down as answers arrive.
If your vacation is a little busier, on-the-go, or filled with activity, travel, family and friends, you can simply allow yourself to stay present and pay attention to how you feel.
What are the moments you appreciate most each day?
What’s your body feeling at various times and with different experiences?
What information are you getting from yourself or others that might be nudges of what you want more or less of?
Savor, be present, and notice. What does your life look like one year from now? Three years from now? Are you enjoying more family time? Do you have more money to travel with? Do you actually need to welcome in a slower pace? More time for fun?
What insights are you getting in stepping away?
You don’t need to be scared of what comes up or act on anything right away. This is simply a time to reflect, notice, and give your brain a thought experiment. The answer to which could be your next life-changing move or experience, or just a sign you need more days off ;)
Either way, it may just turn your summer vacation into one of clarity and direction to move forward when you return.
I’d love to hear any insights and perspective shifts you have! If you need help implementing and taking action on what comes up for you, I can help you gain clarity on your answers by asking you the questions that matter most in determining how to create a life that’s meaningful for you.
