How To Live A Life You Don’t Need A Vacation From
“Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should live a life you don’t need to escape from.”-Seth Godin
The latest travel trend, especially among millennials, has been quitting your job to travel the world. While it’s something I glad I did, and I’m grateful for the experiences I had while doing that, it also didn’t solve all of my problems. I realized that I needed to go deeper. I realized that while I loved traveling and all the wonderful things that it brought to my life, I also needed to live a life I didn’t want to escape from.
Many people see travel as the answer to ending a job they aren’t happy with, or getting away from it all, and not as a way to learn new things about themselves. Travel caused me to look at how I was living my life, and to add all the things I loved about travel into my daily life. Here’s what I did to live a life I didn’t want to escape from.
1. Live A Life With Purpose
Ideally, while we would all like to turn our life’s purpose into our jobs, not everyone can do that. And, you don’t have to. To feel fulfilled in this life, though, you should be spending time on what you think your purpose is. That can mean volunteering, making sure you dedicate time to your passions and hobbies, or exploring new things to figure out what your purpose is. If you do want to travel while working, take a look at job listings for digital nomads on Jooble to give you an idea of some ideas you could do for work while exploring the world.
2. Stop Complaining
One of the things I noticed most in my travels was how hard people worked in other countries, making very little money, and yet how happy they were. They made people in the US look weak in comparison. I noticed something about these people. They don’t complain. In fact, not only do they not complain, they live each day in joy and gratitude.
I keep a daily gratitude journal to write the things I have to be thankful for each day. Traveling also taught me there’s a lot of basic things I have that I take for granted. A working toilet, running water, electricity 24 hours a day. Start noticing the things you have in your life to be grateful for. And, if you don’t like a situation you’re in, use your energy to change it instead of complaining.
The book that probably changed my life the most is Byron Katie’s: Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life. Byron Katie’s life was falling apart, she was suicidal, and her questions allow you to see anything that you may be going through in an entirely different light. She shows you how to change your thinking in a profound and powerful way. I can’t recommend this book enough.
3. Reconnect With Your Childhood Self
Remember, when you were a kid and thought that you could do anything? There were no limits and no fear to stop you. What were the things you wanted to do? Your child self was a lot more tuned in to your purpose and passions than your adult self is now. Think back to your biggest dreams. A lot of people want to be a child again because life seemed easier and without worry. Part of this reason is we’ve forgotten how to play. Do you have enough playtime in your life?
Go on a date with the world. Allow time for spontaneity instead of planning out every moment of your life. Spend at least one day a week seeing something new in your hometown. Take time to watch the moon rise and the sun set. Meander, get lost, let the world speak to you, and follow her where she goes. (hint: she prefers skipping!)
4. Create Deep Friendships With Others
Me with my best friend and favorite travel partner, Ingrid
One of the things I realized fulfilled me the most in my life were my friendships. While you meet many amazing people when you travel, these short encounters are nothing compared to the friends you make over the years in your life. The friends who are with you in your ups and downs, who accept you as you are and love you unconditionally.
We all have a need for other people in our lives and travel taught me just how important the friends I had were to me. Make time to nurture your friendships with other people in your life, as there is nothing else in the world that comes close to the joy of having a true friend.
5. Take Care Of Your Body, Mind, And Soul
Many times when we feel unhappy in our lives, it’s because we aren’t nourishing an aspect of ourselves whether it’s our body, mind, or soul. Your body needs exercise, healthy food, and good sleep to feel it’s best.
Your mind is not stimulated by watching reality TV, constantly being on social media, or by watching the news. To take care of your mind, take time for stillness. Give it a break from constant thinking by taking time for meditation. Read and learn new things. Learn a new language. Give yourself a digital detox. Unplug your phone and take time to daydream instead.
Nurture your soul by focusing on your purpose in this life. Ask yourself what moves you in this life and follow that. Do something for others instead of only focusing on yourself. Express gratitude for the life you have created and the things you have been given. Enjoy where you are at. Exactly as it is right now. For every moment is now.
Featured photo by Martinak15/Flickr CC
Great article Val. Simple and to the point.
Love this – so beautifully put!
Spot on and feel good read.
I don’t fully agree with Godin’s quote – not everyone who looks forward to a vacation is trying to escape their life. I’ve seen too many people use those same words to get on a free spirited high horse though some may have good intentions. No matter what you do in this life, this world, you’ll always need a bit of a break from it. Your words of advice can be a good start for some.
Yes, I completely agree with you! I think a life you don’t need a vacation from has to include travel. Travel has done so much to make me who I am. I also see too many people trying to escape their lives completely. I don’t think everyone needs a life of constant travel to have a happy life, either. It’s about balance…
Yesss! So true! Love the concept of it: a life you don’t need a vacation from. Self-care, purpose, and friendships are so key.
A life you don’t need a vacation from…. “Amen” to that. 🙂 Supperb article Val.
Thank you, Helen!
Beautiful words, we love meeting like minded people in hostels all over the world. Those escaping conventional lifestyles that they didn’t want to be involved in, us included. Thanks for the great advice, safe travels to you.
Great sentiments, I definitely feel that gratitude and purpose have a lot to do with feeling right with your path. I liked what you said about remembering your dreams as a child. I am currently working on the very dreams I have had since childhood but I have struggled to feel that same magic, even though I am certain the dream is right for me. It sometimes shines through, that old excitement…but it’s far more fleeting than it used to be. Still, where there’s life there’s hope so I will soldier on! Thanks for the food for thought.
Thanks for you comments! Yes, it can be harder to see the magic as we get older. I love doing Louise Hay meditations to keep me in the space of gratitude!
I don’t fully agree with Godin’s quote – not everyone who looks forward to a vacation is trying to escape their life. I’ve seen too many people use those same words to get on a free spirited high horse though some may have good intentions. No matter what you do in this life, this world, you’ll always need a bit of a break from it. Your words of advice can be a good start for some.
I found your website after searching for – ‘design a life you don’t need a vacation from’. My story follows a similar theme! I got stuck in my job and the rat race, climbing the corporate ladder. But, we didn’t realize this was a problem until much later in life. My husband and I had 2 teens and are near to and beyond our 50’s. Anyway, we are close to halfway through our year away from Canada. When we get back, I’m not going back to the apparel manufacturing sector, rather I’m in the process of creating my next life, something which will be sustainable for the long haul and let me never utter the words, ‘I need a vacation’, ever again.
Cheers,
-CW
http://dailycreatives.com/blog/
We do. Are at the moment despite being ” home” after 6 years on the road. But the expense of running a house and garden kills a lot of fun. We’ve done away with car expenses by not having one. We hire one when we need one and that’s SO much better. But if I wasn’t a travel blogger, if James or I had to go to work 5 days a week, if the kids had to go to school…impossible. I think I’d go insane. The drudge and monotony of ” normal” life is just way to much to bear in exchange for 2 days off each week, 4-6 weeks off each year. No. Not going to happen. Thank God it doesn’t have to. We fixed that through drive and hard work.
Love the idea behind this. Our family motto is actually Love the life you live!