Vacation… and a million plans

As Many of Us Begin Our Vacations: Weekly Posts to Enhance Your Summer

As vacation season kicks off, the upcoming weekly posts will focus on this eagerly awaited time of year, aiming to help you enjoy a more fulfilling break. Today, we’ll start by discussing plans and how to use them mindfully to make your vacation more rewarding. When you return from vacation, do you often feel like you didn’t have enough time and that the days flew by?

The Role of Plans

Having plans is always exciting—they fill us with anticipation, and we dream of doing countless things we rarely have time for: going to the beach, dining at our favorite restaurant, meeting friends for lunch, taking the kids to that special spot… For some, even thinking about this list is overwhelming. So many activities can transform your vacation into a mere switch from one type of stress to another—a non-stop lifestyle in a different setting.

Some people thrive on jam-packed summers, and that’s fantastic for them. However, upon returning from vacation, they may find stress levels creeping back up, with dissatisfaction potentially casting a shadow over the autumn months.

Plans are great as long as we keep their purpose and value in perspective. Dreaming and planning can be wonderful, but if they turn into a checklist you “must” complete, they lose their charm and become a burden instead of a joy.

Solo Plans or Plans with Family/Friends?

It’s one thing to make plans for yourself and another to coordinate with family or friends. Yes, some spend their vacations solo, either by choice or circumstance. If this is your case, you’ll have much more freedom to decide how to spend your time, though the following tips will still be useful.

For vacations with family or friends, your dreams, desires, and interests are not the only ones in play—you must also consider the needs and wishes of others in the group. While it’s great to know your priorities, showing interest in what others want to do fosters understanding and ensures a smoother flow of energy within the group.

For instance: Marta and Javi are a couple with a teenage son who now has his own group of friends at the beach, freeing them to enjoy some alone time this summer. Marta had a tough winter adjusting to a new team at work and is exhausted, so she’s told Javi she needs to rest this vacation. Javi understands, but they haven’t traveled anywhere all winter, and he’s eager to pack in as many activities as possible.

If Marta and Javi don’t discuss their priorities, conflict might cloud their summer. Openly sharing what they’re feeling and what matters to them—paired with empathy to understand each other’s perspectives—will help them negotiate a realistic balance. How much is Marta willing to go out, and how much is Javi willing to lounge on a hammock all day? Empathy, communication, and mutual respect are the keys to success.

Plans as a Measure of Vacation Success

Be cautious about using the completion of your plans as the benchmark for a successful vacation. It’s not about how many activities you tick off but the quality of those experiences. If you don’t manage to do everything you planned, ask yourself: How did I spend the rest of my time? Were you enjoying and savoring the moments, or were you preoccupied with what’s next or what you couldn’t do?

Mindfulness: The Secret Ingredient for a Successful Vacation

Wherever you go—whether it’s planned or spontaneous—approach it with intention and a conscious desire to have a good time. For instance, if today’s activity doesn’t excite you much but your partner is enthusiastic about it, adopt a mindset of “Since I’m going, I’ll make the most of it.” This positive attitude can transform the experience into something unexpectedly enjoyable.

Managing expectations around your plans can help maintain a balanced level of satisfaction. Remember: empathy, communication, respect, attitude, and above all, mindfulness.

Plans? Aim for quality over quantity.

Image by Freepik

Melinda Sánchez Coach

www.melindasanchezcoach.com