Hitting the pause button — The Mark of Joy

May 10

May 10 Hitting the pause button

Goals have been guiding me for as long as I can remember. I have long term goals, short term goals, goals for the day, goals for the weekend. Heck, I even sometimes make goals for just the morning. I write my goals down, I make little boxes next to each written goal and check it off once completed. I was raised by an avid “punch list” writer- a Dad who kept his “to do” list on the kitchen table for all to read. It should be no surprise that I inherited my love for action items from him.

I can turn anything into a goal-even my hobbies! I set deadlines for editing my videos, publishing blog posts and why stop there? I even set goals of where I’ll travel.

I make a point of making sure every time I step on a plane it’s to transport myself into a new culture. I opt for adventurous places, cabins by the water or an airbnb in the heart of the city. I chat with locals, and if it’s not in English- even better. I have exactly three countries left to meet my goal to see all of Central America, and next up is South America. I’ve got a goal and I’ve got a plan.

But I gave up on my goal. Not the kind of giving up where you toss out the goal and never think of it again. It’s more like I pushed the pause button, knowing I’d return to it.

After a challenging winter and spring I knew I needed a different kind of trip. I didn’t want to “travel” I wanted to go on vacation. I wanted luxury. I wanted 5 stars and high end service. I wanted warm showers and soft towels and clean bottles of water in my mini fridge. I wanted to spend the day reading page after page of my book. I didn’t want to see the sights, find the unique hikes, or see where the locals live.

As we get older we all get a little better at listening to what our body and mind need. Quieting the inner critic and instead allowing your inner nurturer to take the lead.

It crossed my mind that I was spending money and more importantly time on a trip that doesn’t match up with my goals, but for this short period of time there was a new, more important goal. To rest, recharge and sip overpriced cocktails at a pool bar.

To read more about my time in Turks and Caicos, head over to my location details!