July/August 2005

Take a Break!

I just returned from my first vacation of 2005. My husband and I visited family in Alaska. We stayed in a lodge, caught king salmon, flew in various airplanes, and witnessed awesome thunderstorms at night while roasting s'mores.  During the day, it was so warm that I tanned on the deck (in Alaska!) with my friend and drank fruity drinks. I also had the chance to visit my toddler nephew. We played at the gym, at the park, and on the swings.  

Accustomed to a hyper-speed life of running my company, consulting, speaking, writing, and a hundred other things, I really had to work at relaxing. Fish don't bite on demand. Toddlers don't walk very fast. Slowing my pace doesn't come naturally. Do you have a hard time relaxing, even when you have time off? If you're like me, you may need to purposefully take a break more often.  

Since orderly living is about making room for your priorities, here are a few ideas to get the most out of your treasured time off: 

Determine what kind of vacation fuels your tank. Are you looking for activity or some much-needed rest? Do you want to visit family and friends, or get away from it all and be alone? Are you ready to explore castles, climb mountains, and tour museums? Or, would you prefer to check out of your world and into a secluded cabin? (You can split your vacation into two parts if you want both active and restful time.) Do you want to keep a schedule or blissfully forget what day it is? Are the kids invited? Too often, we take time off but return home feeling drained because our trip didn't meet our needs. 

Dedicate enough time to your plans. Figure out the number of days that it takes you to unwind and recover and add those to your timeframe. I've found that it takes me about three days to let down and really relax. I also need at least one whole day, but preferably two, at the end of my time off to unpack, do laundry, restore my household, deal with e-mail, and ramp back up for work. If I don't have time to recover, I feel unprepared and rushed going back to work. Determine the ideal time frame for your retreat. It might be better to use all your vacation at once but really get the rest you need rather than split your time. On the other hand, you might be energized by shorter trips or weekend getaways. Take time to consider the best fit for your needs before you make your plans.  

Decide whether you will unplug or not. Do you want to stay connected with work and home while you are gone? If you are a business owner, you may need to receive at least a few hot e-mails and provide an emergency number. The best vacation of my life was nine days totally unplugged last winter. If you can possibly arrange it, and it suits your personality, I highly recommend disconnecting and drinking in the special moments of your vacation. 

Slow down. I admit; I'm still learning to take my own advice on this point. My mind and my body are conditioned for speed, and that can be unhealthy without any breaks. For me, it is an act of will to slow down, but it is the only way I can really benefit from my vacation. I jumped for joy on the deck of the lodge, waving wildly, and watching Trevor pilot a float plane for the first time. I warmed my back by a popping, crackling fire. I snuggled my nephew, and drank in his lovely baby smell. Do you need to slow down? 

Plan and budget for your retreats. Every time I take a trip, I begin planning my next vacation. I recommend that you get out your calendar and schedule some time off to enjoy your priorities. Your retreat doesn't have to be a Hawaiian holiday; it could be simple like a romantic getaway with your spouse or a camping trip with the kids. If you can't afford a trip, pitch a tent in the backyard and declare it a work-free campout weekend. It's not the destination that counts; it's the experiences along the way that will add meaning and memories to your life. 

Here's to taking a break,
Vicki Norris





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