Hi all:
Just wanted to see how everyone "recharges." I haven't had a vacation since April 2009. Since then I've had my lovely daughter, now 17 months, lost a job, and started a new job that's really bringing me down. (Note: We can not exist on a one-person income). I am now entitled to personal days, sick days or vacation time for six month. I've taken two unpaid sick days because going in with a fever was not an option. Anyway, summer is almost over and I'm feeling really down and very unmotivated, probably due to my job and inability to get away, not even a daytrip to the beach.
Has anyone been in such a holding pattern?
I'm thinking of taking a few unpaid days to revive my moral.
Why can't you go somewhere on a Saturday or Sunday? We are leaving after work tomorrow for a quick trip and will be back home Sunday afternoon. It may feel more like a "vacation" to go mid-week, but if you have to take unpaid time to spend money on a trip, it's not going to relieve your stress in the long run!
I'm there. Very frustrated. Everyone in my office has taken nice family vacations this summer. I have been saving to buy new tires! It's frustrating. Stupid responsibility! But, I have been making the best of the summer. I take the kids to the lake near our house. We get in free and it has a really nice swimming area. We go in the evenings after work. It's quiet, not crowded and not so blessed hot by the time we get there. I have also taken off a day here and there throughout the summer just to take the kids to do stuff around town. And I have been doing little things for myslef. Last night Ileft the kids with my husband to go to a friends birthday dinner kid free! woohoo, and a couple weeks ago, I left them with him so I could go to the movies by myself - woohoo! I find when I leave the kids and go do something completely alone for a little while, it really recharges my battery.
People recharge differently. You know how you recharge. I suggest you listen to yourself and go recharge. Go get your mojo back! Hope you feel better soon!
((PS we go camping, or find a super cheap hotel (to split between families) when on vacation. I have to do family vacations on a serious budget - like almost for nothing - so this has been helpful.))
Find short trips where you can feel like you are away. Try that first. It might be better for you to do those more often and recharge in bits and pieces, rather than pine after a huge trip once in a blue moon. I also try to find small moments when I can be by myself to pamper myself (spend hours in the bathroom primping!) or finding a place where I can just sit out alone and enjoy the view.
Go Friday and Saturday night and come back Sunday. And you are not taking any business days off. Two nights away is very relaxing. I had breast cancer this year and we were not able to take a week off but I would go away for weekends. We went away 4 times- NY City, Lake George, Mass., NJ shore. Also do any activity on Saturday or Sunday and get away from your routine. That helps alot. For instance the zoo, Central Park, Rye Play Land.
I can identify. We always go on at least 1 family day trip to somewhere spectacular and my son usually has something going on in the summer like taking up fun classes or summer basketball, but this summer is extremely busy and expensive. It just seems like the economy is hitting us very hard this year. I'm trying to find time to at least take our son to one of those really big malls just to have some fun. Just don't know when.
I didn't take a vacation for four years after my divorce. It really does feel good to get away again. :)
