It’s 2024, and life seems more expensive than ever. Are you lacking the budget to take that vacation you wanted this year?
I feel you. I’m right there with you. So, I came up with this simple idea.
I call it the “45-minute vacation.” I experienced it last week, before realizing its power and giving it a name.
It’s as simple as it sounds.
I’ll explain how I experienced it, then outline the benefits and show you an easy way to achieve it. Sound good?
Local, seasonal context
You see, in the Pacific Northwest, as winter gives way to spring, we often have a fake spring/summer weather pattern that lasts 1-4 days. Then it’s back to the cool, gray, rainy skies that occupy the bulk of the first six months of the year.
Here is a sarcastic yet sadly accurate look at the PNW seasons. (During the winter, I dream of 75-degree sunny skies and lake or beach time.)
When we had a freakishly warm spell on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Mike and I made like it was July and spent as much time outdoors as possible. Mike prepping his garden to plant all the delightful produce we’ll enjoy in a few months.
Me with my laptop outdoors, writing content for clients in the blissful warmth.
On Sunday afternoon, a day when we keep a more chill schedule after church, I invited Mike’s mom and Grandma over to have a refreshing beverage in the backyard. Let’s face it: we were going to be back there anyway.
For a delightful 45 minutes or so, we chatted, sipped beverages and soaked up the sunshine. (Grandma lives just across the street, hence why such a short visit with no meal was possible.)
As we got up from the table, I felt rejuvenated and refreshed. Sharing company with loved ones while being outside does great things for one’s mental health.
I commented to Mike, “That was like a 45-minute vacation!” He agreed.
45-minute vacation: the application
It’s easy to get trapped in the mindset that a vacation requires leaving home for at least 2-3 days, taking up lodging elsewhere to escape. That can get expensive quickly.
The good news is that applying this mindset allows unlimited vacation time!
Here are the essential ingredients for a 45-minute vacation:
- Gather people whose company you enjoy
- Or if your need for solo time is greater, carve out that time to be alone
- Outdoors + sunshine amplifies the benefit! (You’ve heard of the mood-boosting power of sunlight, yes?)
- Grab a snack and/or beverage that makes you happy
- Remove electronic devices from the scenario (OK, you may pull your phone out of your pocket to take a group photo–but that’s IT for screens!)
- Combine all these items and ENJOY!
Once you’ve done all those things, remember how you feel. If you feel remarkably better than before this exercise, filing it away in your brain as a mini-vacation is key. Allow your gratitude to power a rejuvenation that will propel you forward joyfully.
Conclusion
It’s a small yet powerful life hack: Take what you can easily do (an hour break) instead of being miserable about what you can’t do.
The dynamic combo of
+ loved ones
+ outdoor therapy (vitamin D)
+ no electronics
+ relaxation
… holds enormous potential for greater happiness.
Will you try it?
If you do, I’d love to hear the results!
Leave a Reply