We recently took a family vacation to a place we’ve been dying to go for years, so you might think we were put out the by the unseasonably cold temperatures and incessant rain. No so. Being in a home setting with nothing to do is the perfect formula for relaxation. It’s so nice to be without any desire or need to clean, fill anything out, fix anything, sort anything or without any sense of distraction at all. When I was in the living room I could just focus on being there and thinking about things like whether I should do a puzzle with the kids or read a book. Every now and then maybe I would get up for a drink of water or cup of tea. I was so genuinely relaxed that at 8pm the first full day we were there I fell asleep on the couch. And there I stayed until I moved into the bed and slept as late as I wanted the next morning.
We did get out too. Whenever there was a break in the weather—even if it just became a light rain—we hiked and biked. There were few people around and a lot of wildlife. Even our youngest biked for several miles, hiked for miles on top of that and climbed to the top of the lighthouse. Then it would rain again and it was time for more books and art projects.
I haven’t felt that well-rested and generally at peace with the world in months. It was such a simple trip: fresh air and exercise, family time, quiet activities and simple meals, and a real reminder of how little we all need.
Once we returned I vowed to lighten up our load here at home. I’ve made a clandestine trip to Goodwill (the kids get upset no matter what leaves the house) and am also trying to pare activities down to what REALLY needs to be on the schedule. Life gets busy and hectic, but I keep looking back to that trip as a reminder that it doesn’t always need to be.
Tags: calm, modern life, motherhood
October 27, 2009 at 11:36 pm |
so glad you guys had a good trip. it’s hard to do that at home – even with fewer activities, there is always something to do (dishes to be washed, files to be organized, etc.). i think it’s good to be mindful to keep things more relaxed at home, but i also think it’s good to remember to plan relaxing vacations!
October 28, 2009 at 3:58 pm |
doing nothing is a blessing. glad to have you point it out.
October 30, 2009 at 9:35 pm |
not sure my kids would allow the calmness but I crave it. Mendocino is my place of calm – I go back there in my mind a lot to those days of reading a book all day and going canoeing was a chore! Unfortunately it’s not the easiest place to get to but one day….one day. Thanks, I feel so much calmer now (as the clock ticks on towards Halloween – geesh just cant’ get a break? : )