Keeping the Vacation Vibes Going

Since getting back from vacation, I've vowed to keep the vacation vibes going as long as possible. Frankly I've shocked myself with how well I've done. Yes, the semester is crawling/racing in its peculiar and excruciating way towards finals. Yes, my to-do list has reconstituted like expanding foam. Yes, it's late on a Monday night. But I've really taken some lessons forward from my time off, and I want to share those gentle reminders with you.

First, I keep asking myself, how do I want this day to feel? And then I try to allot my time accordingly. For example, I want to end the day feeling good about what I accomplished, not dragging myself over a 2 a.m. finish line. So I identify the top two or three tasks that must get done and, as my dad would say, let the rough end drag.

I also made a quick list right after I got back of two or three concrete projects and steps I really want to get done before the holidays. For me it's (1) picking up a writing project I'd long back-burnered because I want to finally get it out the door as a family Christmas present; (2) focusing my family history research on just one line and tracking down birth and death certificates for the missing ancestors; and (3) continuing my basement workshop renovation (long stalled by inertia) by taking it just one easy step at a time: first remove the old metal shelves, then chainsaw up the old workbench (try it; it's unbelievably cathartic), then scrape and replaster one wall.

See any commonalities in this list? I bet you did: specific, bite-sized tasks rather than giant goals that feel impossible to achieve. Of course, I'm layering these into my regular list of to-dos, daily and weekly repeating activities, and the usual keeping-myself-alive tasks like procuring food and doing laundry.

And finally, I've really worked not jam my days up too much but instead remind myself that time is finite, days only have 24 hours, and there's only so much I can accomplish and stay sane. Those reminders came courtesy of my personal hero Julie Morgenstern, whose book Time Management from the Inside Out I re-listened to as an audio book on the road.

I hope that, as the holidays approach, you can find some hope and help in any or all of these tools. And know that it IS possible to feel more relaxed, even in a very busy season.

Image by Penny from Pixabay