So many people are preparing for summer vacations. Whether they be day trips, long weekends, or complete getaways, plans and lists are in the works. Whenever I pack for a weekend out of town, I am always amazed at how little I need to take with me in order to get by. Even if you are one of those packers who has a tough time condensing your belongings to fit a small suitcase or backpack, have you ever noticed how little you actually require? While we undoubtedly enjoy the comforts of our home spaces, it can be equally comforting to simplify our surroundings. I often wonder if part of the relaxation of a vacation or getaway is actually taking a break from our “stuff.”
When there are not any dishes or laundry to do and when the pile of bills next to the computer is nowhere in sight, your brain can take a vacation from the mundane tasks of daily life. You can focus on where you are and who you have as company. You can be present and observant without distraction. You gain perspective.
In preparation for your summer journeys, pack your favorite outfits and maybe a new hat. Grab a book that is totally unrelated to work. Don’t forget your essential toiletries, phone, and laptop chargers, and off you go. Your mini-life can go anywhere.
Then it hits you: home is wherever YOU are!
-TaraMarie Perri