Growing up I was lucky enough to often spend my Spring Break week visiting Mexico with my grandparents and extended family. I would spend time with family, meet new friends, and learn about the small Mexican town where my maternal grandparents grew up. On those years where we stayed in Houston for Spring Break, we would take full advantage of that rare week in the year where Houstonian humidity, heat, and mosquitoes had not quite taken over. It was a glorious week filled with more daylight, trips to Astroworld*, Galveston, and the local swimming pool. Suffice to say, I have wonderful and very fond Spring Break memories. Whenever this time of year rolls around, I’m reminded of the emotions associated with Spring Break. That sense of adventure, excitement, giddiness, optimism and euphoria that having a week off from school brings. As an adult, Spring Break still brings back that nostalgic sense of excitement. Spring Break vacation mindset – no one wants it to end! Well here is the good news- it doesn’t have to end!
Here are 5 ways that you can help bring Spring Break vacation mindset to your everyday:
1.) Change it up!
Bring vacation mindset to your everyday in small ways. One of the aspects of vacation that makes it so desirable is that you are experiencing new things. There are tiny ways that you can bring that sense of adventure and newness to your humdrum routine. So even if it is changing up the restaurant that you choose, discovering a new running route/trail, taking a different exercise class, or learning a new skill. The novelty of new and different is part of what makes vacation fun!
2.) Discover your town through the eyes of a tourist.
This is a fun one and sort of related to the “change it up” tip above. Look around and you would be amazed at how many little shops, restaurants, or streets that you have never explored. Think, what would a visitor be interested in visiting? Or what would be unique about my part of town? The cool thing about living in Houston is that you can drive for 20 minutes in any direction and feel like you are in a completely different city. Take a trip to the other side of town and discover what it has to offer. You’d be amazed at how the vacay fuzzies start showing up.
3.) Be mindful of things that bring you joy on vacation and begin to pencil those into your everyday life.
Ok so swimming with dolphins, or enjoying that glass of wine while watching the waves roll in may not feasibly be a part of your everyday life. Or perhaps they are, and if so- lucky you!!! But for those of us not so lucky perhaps there are other aspects of your vacation that you can bring home. Maybe its eating a really good home cooked meal, or maybe it’s when you can explore a new restaurant. Perhaps walking your dog, or really having time to engage in conversation with your kids. Maybe it’s a hobby like photography, going to the movies, or just meeting new people. Perhaps it’s something as simple as drinking your coffee in peace. Figure out what it is that makes you feel really good and re-energized on vacation and find a way to translate that to your everyday life. Perhaps this means signing up for a new class, or intentionally setting time aside to just sit in a coffee shop and read that non-work book. Whatever that may be for you – do it on purpose and regularly.
4.) Reconnect with friends and loved ones.
For some individuals solitude is re-energizing. For myself and many others feeling connected and spending time with those I care about makes me feel re-energized. So even if it’s a skype date or phone date- reach out to those you love (and who love you) and get that fill of your connectivity to others. It’s a great way to keep in touch, bring meaning to relationships, and keep the re-energizing feeling of vacation mindset going.
5.) Schedule daily sunshine time.
Ok so not everyone’s ideal vacation is lounging around on the beach and soaking up rays. But, most spring breaks do include a lot of outside time. Find a way to get outside more. This is especially true if you work under flattering fluorescent lighting and/or are stuck in an office with no windows. Find even a small 5-minute break in your day and take your coffee break outdoors. Perhaps it would be feasible to walk a bit around the block to break up your day. Maybe it’s even driving home with the windows down in your car. Whatever you can do to connect with the outside will help your everyday feel like vacation.
Ok – so what you are waiting for??!! Get out there and start getting into Spring Break mindset mode this week.
-Andrea
Hi! I'm Andrea K. Pihlaskari, Ph.D., and am the founder and licensed psychologist at Houston Psychology and Wellness. I love working with adolescents, young adults, and any individual who wants to be the best version of themselves in all areas of life. Struggling with the humdrum of life? Are you constantly planning or looking forward to your next vacation, only to be in agony of coming back to reality? Wishing you could bring more vacation mindset to your everyday?
Fill out the contact information or call 832.430.2015 to schedule your free 15 minute consultation. We can work together to help you bring a little more vacation mindset to your everyday.
*Astroworld - native Houstonians of a certain age know what I’m talking about. Basically a six flags theme park that was decommissioned in 2005. It is now the area south of the 610 loop between Fannin and Kirby that is used for Rodeo parking overflow. Many of the rides have gone to other six flags theme parks.