Dear Keatsway,
It’s been three years since I’ve entered March with no trips planned and no plane or train tickets purchased. As an intrepid traveler this feels almost alien to me. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t beginning to feel a bit restless. As you begin to discover the vistas and sights of Geneva, I am learning to be OK staying in one place. I’ve even become acquainted with what has become an all too common catch phrase in this new economy. I’ve just taken my first Staycation.
It’s Spring Break at my university, my boss is in another state, I had a few extra hours in my vacation bank, so I thought why not? Why not take today off for no apparent reason other than I want to stay home, have an unscheduled day, and let each moment be decided upon a whim?
I wish I could say I have a revelation about life to share after spending the day at home and taking a three-day weekend but I don’t. I spent the weekend drinking roobois tea, baking gluten-free vegan pastries, and taking naps whenever I felt like it. I also had a Thai massage and tried on about 50 French Style T-Shirts from 4 different stores, before deciding upon the one I am wearing right now.
While not groundbreaking, I have learned something about gratitude and hard work. It is absolutely necessary to celebrate the small and big successes of life by taking time to slow down and appreciate your progress. Two weeks ago I sent in my second application to graduate school in England, ending my holy tussle. However instead of celebrating, I kept moving forward at full speed. First I didn’t go to bed until I’d cleaned my apartment, than I hosted a Storyline meeting, orchestrated and led out a focus group, presented on research methods for communication majors, navigated way too many work committee duties including filling in for someone who’s arthritis wouldn’t let them take the minutes.
In contrast, last semester within a week of finishing a 20 page paper for my graduate literature class, I took a 10 day vacation for Christmas in Toronto with family. There was a clear break between finishing a big task and moving forward to the next big thing. Before leaving for Toronto I even hosted my own private celebration by catching a movie I’d been waiting to see, buying new pajamas, and ordering my favorite appetizer at a restaurant. I remember feeling rejuvenated after all my small celebratory ritual and even more so after my vacation.
This time I learned a vital lesson in what happens when you don’t take a break. Instead of enjoying the fact that I had finished something I never imagined I would complete, I began to feel overwhelmed at work, stopped sleeping through the night, and had headaches that lasted for hours. So now that I’ve taken my much overdue break (though this time no trips were taken) I look forward to a new week with fresh perspectives and a lighter spirit. One in which I know when to pause and reflect before the next big thing.
Keatsway, do you celebrate the little and big things you accomplish in life? How do mark the completion of big projects and prevent burnout?
Yours with best wishes,
xo Brightstar
Letters to Young Dreamers 