That Magical Back-From-Vacation Feeling

That lazy back from vacation feeling. That I-don’t-want-to-apply myself feeling. That so-glad-it’s-summer feeling. That life-i-so-simple feeling. Yes, that.

Back from a week in the mountains, I’ve been thinking big thoughts and also thinking about nothing at all.

I’ve been enjoying time in the wilderness with my children. Watching my kids thrive in the outdoors, with the freedom that family camp brings, able to go around and do what they want, to eat exactly what they want, and to spend their allowance at the camp store buying treats, and staying up late having s’mores around the campfire. Ah, the delights of summer.

As I lie in final relaxation pose during the yoga class in the open-air tent, with the smell of pine trees all around me, I relax, fully; in a way I haven’t in a long time. I sink into Mother Earth, thankful for this day and for this time to recharge. Away from my computer, away from my phone, away from the news of the election, and Brexit, and the violence going on around the world and country, away from all the stresses of life.

In this moment, I am truly here. Present, drinking up the atmosphere and content to just be.

It’s taken me a few days to get to this point of relaxation. From the hustle of shutting down my life for a week, from the stress of packing and the long drive to get up here, to the first night’s fitful sleep in the tent cabin, by day three I found myself really slowing down, taxing my mind less and just being content in my body. It is amazing how reducing the number of stimuli, even for a week, makes life seem so much easier…and like you can really experience every moment.

And now, I’m back to civilization again, starting back to work today.

As I transition back into work after the break, I find myself feeling contemplative in that just-back-from-vacation way, that moment in time where you view the world differently. From the way my house is arranged to how I spend my time, I notice, when I return from a time of being unplugged, that, for a few days, I see things differently. That I can, if I so choose to move while the clarity still resides in me, make some changes that really stick, that truly make a difference in my life.

So, I ask myself, what is the change I want to make now?

Fundamentally, it is to get that place of quiet mind more often. Whether that be through vacation, meditation, yoga, dance, running or some other activity, I’m realizing that I’m much more at peace, and more of myself and engaged in life, when I’m in my body and not just in my mind or heart.

What does that mean for me now?

It means getting to bed earlier so I can get up earlier for some quiet time in the mornings. It means making an effort to get to my writing place twice per week, to have some time to create and express myself as I long to. It means adopting a meditation and/or yoga practice. It means slowing down in order to speed up.

I find myself wondering how to prolong this post-vacation clarity about what is needed, to give myself more time and oomph to adopt the new practices. How to call upon this soundness of mind and purpose when I get stretched, so I can remember the importance of going to bed early so I can spend some quiet time in the mornings.

I’m not sure that simply calendaring it will do it. It needs to be something more. I have learned that if you make practice into a habit by doing it for 30 days, it becomes ingrained. I find myself willing to try that. So, for the next 30 days, I will make a commitment to meditate. I’m using KC Carter’s no-cost meditation trial as my guide.

Feel free to join me and then we can support each other!