Make Every Day a Vacation

Incorporating easeful practices into daily life

Time away is good for us, but it’s equally important to be intentional about how we spend our downtime when we’re not on vacation. When we go on a trip, we create space to truly disconnect from our working lives. On the weekend, however, we rarely "vacate" anything.

When we’re on vacation, we:

• Try new restaurants

• Hang out with friends

• Create a fun list of activities 

• Do nothing without guilt 

• Sleep in

How often do we incorporate those activities into our daily lives? How often do we intentionally step away from work and responsibility? What would it look like if our lives felt a bit more like a vacation? I know that may sound impractical—especially if you have kids or other responsibilities—but maybe we can carve out that kind of space once a week or even once a month. Maybe we can take a day off work or leave the kids at daycare for an extra hour.

I remember when I was a new mom, I felt obligated to pick up my kids from daycare immediately after work. I’d pick them up, head to the grocery store, and then juggle all the other tasks waiting for me at home. One day, I thought, What if I leave them at daycare for a bit longer, run my errands first, and then pick them up? That small change made a huge difference. Grocery shopping felt calmer, and I had a moment to breathe. It was a game changer.

Finding ways to build ease and rest into our daily lives is essential. One practice I’ve embraced is taking long baths. Showers always felt rushed, but baths are more intentional. You have to wait for the tub to fill, and once you’re in, you’re more inclined to linger and savor the moment. Sometimes I read a book, watch something on my iPad, or just relax. It’s a process—and that’s the point. It slows me down.

So much of adulthood feels like a race to check things off a to-do list: Let me hurry up and eat. Let me hurry up and get to work. On vacation, we slow down and give ourselves permission to take our time. In our everyday lives, we need to reclaim that sense of leisure.

We often tell ourselves we don’t have time, but the truth is, we’re not making time. We can give ourselves permission to:

• Take a walk

• Sip coffee slowly instead of gulping it down

• Take a bath

• Do our hair

• Cook a favorite meal

• Try a new recipe

• Have lunch with a friend

Burnout happens when we keep doing too much of the same thing without relief. Stepping away is not only healthy—it’s necessary to prevent burnout.

The work, the chores, and the responsibilities will still be there. But we need to create balance, build in moments of restoration, and find harmony between work and life.

Journal Prompt

Fill in the blank: I have time to _______. 

A Few Things That Caught My Attention This Week

• Doing Nothing With Your Favorite People Is Really, Really Good for You, by Lauren Mazzo in SELF.

• The Magic of Novelty: Why It Matters and How to Embrace It, by Karyn Hall, Ph.D. in Psychology Today. 

• Severance. You can watch this show on Apple TV.

• The Wasp. I love a good thriller and this one didn’t disappoint! I found myself loudly shouting my guesses about what might happen next, but the story kept me on my toes until the very end. You can watch the movie on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, or wherever you stream movies. 

• Dr. Teal’s Bath Products. I have tried all the bath products for all of us, and in that exploration I have discovered that Dr. Teal’s is top tier (this is not sponsored, but if they want to sponsor me I will accept it). I go to Target and fill up my whole cart with their products. You can find their products on their website and at Target. 

• Episode 123: Top 10 Fitness Trends and What We Think About Them on The Feeling Lighter Podcast. This podcast isn’t your average wellness show. It’s hosted by seasoned physical therapy experts. Full disclosure: one of the hosts, Lisa Folden, is a friend who played a key role in my recovery after a car accident left me with a hip injury. Her guidance made all the difference. You can listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream podcasts.