Living a life you don't want a vacation from
Sounds amazing, doesn't it?
Last spring, I was talking to some people about gardening and one woman asked what I do with my garden when I travel during the summer.
She looked at me in shock when I said, matter of factly, “I don’t travel.”
There have been seasons in my life when I didn’t travel because of lack of funds or opportunity or time. Or a pandemic. And now I mostly don’t travel because I love being home.
I’ve spent the last two years really designing and living a life that I don’t want a vacation from.
It feels amazing!
You may look at might life and think it’s nothing special, but it’s just perfect for me:
Working hard at work worth doing - following my passions and helping others
Spending as much time as possible with my family - my husband and I work largely from home, and my teenagers appreciate having me around and WANT to spend time with me
Working in my yard, growing as many edible and beautiful plants as possible - there’s nothing better than growing my dinner, unless it’s picking flowers from my garden to enjoy indoors!
Pursuing all the hobbies and interests that cross my mind (I’m excited to add both pottery and more stained glass to the roster this fall!)
Spending lots of time connecting with people on LinkedIn
Writing a letter each week to someone who matters to me
Getting up early in the morning to exercise in our basement gym
Spending time with friends
Calling my mother more mornings than not
Reading lots of books
Doing as much yin yoga as possible since I discovered the magic of it
I realize that living a life I don’t want a vacation from is a luxury that I try not to take for granted. And I realize this is not something everyone has. But it’s possible for all of us.
But how?
For me it starts in the pages of my journal.
Each morning I have the opportunity to ask myself questions and listen for the answers:
What do I want?
What do I need?
What brings me joy?
When do I feel most alive?
Each morning when I journal, I decide how and where I want to show up in the world and what I need to make that possible. I identify what’s worth celebrating and inviting more fully into my life, and also what I want less of.
Each time I journal, I get to choose. I am choosing over and over - every day! - the type of life I want to lead. And bit by bit, I am making it happen for myself.
What about you?
What kind of life are you living?
Is it a life you don’t want a vacation from?
If it’s not, you can get there.
Don’t know where or how to start?
Join me on Wednesday, September 7 at 7pm Eastern for an interactive introductory journaling session.
We’ll talk about three simple ways to start journaling, get some hands-on practice, and give you plenty of time to ask me all your journaling questions!
Register for this free workshop using the button below!
Weekly Journal Prompts:
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week.
What is working well in my life?
What areas of my life do I want to improve?
What do I want more of in my life?
What do I want less of in my life?
What relationships in my life are satisfying?
What can I do to nurture them?
Where are the gaps in my life?
How can I fill them with things/people/experiences that would bring meaning and joy?
What can I celebrate today?
One Journaling Idea I Love:
The One Thing
We all have goals we want to accomplish and milestones we want to reach. But sometimes it’s frustrating because we’re not sure how to get there. Our to-do lists are cluttered and it’s hard to decide what should come first or next.
In those moments, ask yourself this question:
What is the one thing I can do to move myself closer to my goal?
It’s a great way to cut through the noise and discover what’s most important. It’s a great way to finally figure out how to get in motion toward your goal!
Need Some Help with Your Journaling?
I work with clients 1:1 and in small groups to help them journal their way to both success on their own terms and to a life they don’t want a vacation from.
Working together, we’ll
identify opportunities for growth and progress
build foundational habits to help you succeed
take your goals and break them down into action plans so you can move forward and make them happen
overcome obstacles, stumbling blocks, and limiting beliefs
recognize and celebrate your growth and progress
learn to be your own accountability partner so your growth is lasting and sustainable
Whether you’re ready to work with me or are just curious about what that might look like, book a call with me HERE. I can’t wait to talk with you!
Happy Journaling!
