I like this newish phrase in our modern lexicon – ‘vacationing at home without going anywhere’, but like anything new that doesn’t arrive with a schematic drawing or instruction manual, I’m futzing around figuring out how to use mine.
I think, so far, I’m getting a really good handle on ‘what doesn’t work’.
I’ve attempted. Since early July. Stay-cation-ing, that was my plan.
Why go away when staying home is perfect?
Exactly. Saving fuel, tire wear, avoiding junk food snacks, bad roadside restaurants – and yes, missing scenery, great experiences etc. But I could experience fun and new things without driving. No need to pack, no need to lug laptop (and finding wi-fi), no need to ‘stop newspapers’, reschedule appointments.
My plan, R&R, golf, daytrips, Stampeding, going to Edmonton for The Fringe (on now actually) and generally letting body and brain have some rest without the pain, cost and crush of busy touristy places in the summer. And summer romance – always open for one of those, but alas the appropriate lass didn’t show up – or if she did I was oblivious …
Aside from two day trips – I’ve failed horribly.
Or not.
I see it as NOT.
Self-reflection, enjoying lovely weather, walks and rides on Fish Creek Park trails, feeling well and mixed focus between work that needed doing, books that needed reading, projects intended, my own good company.
Well, I’m finally getting around to attacking those projects – renaming them ‘fall projects’.
Back to my stay-cation.
Some days I’ve rationalized that ‘today is a vacation day’ or ‘act like you are retired today’ … but those have been more like excuses-to-self rather than full blown: I’m taking time off. And I have, often, but not enough …
Which brings me to the coming home part, the end part of the vacation time frame. We all know what that is like when we come back. You know the feeling, dirty clothes filled suitcases, dirty car, feeling clammy and grimy from a long car ride or protracted series of flights – the trip home is filled with anxiety and urgency around many things we expect: a pile of mail, something spoiled in the fridge, chance or plumbing problem, a neighbour’s fence that fell over – or some other calamity the occurred while we were away. And, anticipation of a hot shower and good sleep in our own bed on freshly laundered sheets (while we scratch our heads to recall whether we had that foresight before we left).
Stay-cations don’t require, or offer, ‘road home’ experiences.
Each morning, each evening – much the same, but so much different …
It’s not where we are, but how we are. Not what we see, but what we remember. Not who we were with, but who we remember. Not how much sunshine we saw, as it is how much sunshine we spread.
And this winter, an away-cation!
Reader feedback:
KNOWING We never really know ourselves. That would imply that we are complete and that the world holds no new experience for us. We are constantly in a new experience, BT, Calgary, AB
CAUSE OF EVERYTHING As it often is with your writing, today’s brings this thought to mind – what is most personal is also most universal. I wonder about the same things you are wondering/writing about. Not so alone in this world with my odd thoughts and that feels nice, even if it doesn’t bring the answer. Thank you, MN, Fort Worth, TX
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