Intentional vacationing: Leave every vacation feeling rejuvenated
Ahh, you’re finally on the beach with a cold drink in your hand, sunscreen smeared over your skin, and a floppy sun hat protecting your face. But, now what?
After a few hours of cat napping, tip-toeing across the hot sand, and dipping your toes in the ocean, your vacation may get a little boring.
I’m not saying that a beach vacation can’t be enjoyable. I’m just saying: what if there could be more? What if “spend time by the pool and play a round of golf” wasn’t the only thing on your vacation to-do list?
What if you could enjoy relaxing, but the purpose of your vacation was more than just “relax.”
Intentional vacationing is an opportunity to shift how you vacation. When you vacation with a purpose, you’re able to get more out of your vacation, and you’ll leave your trip feeling more fulfilled and thankful for the time you had.
What is vacationing with a purpose?
Vacationing with a purpose is about setting goals for your vacation and following through with them. This can help you create a more fulfilling trip that leaves you feeling more refreshed than if you went on vacation without a plan.
I love this article’s summary. When it comes to planning how you’re going to spend your time off, it says,
“Whether it’s the weekend or an upcoming holiday break, a number of studies have shown that people who set personal goals to achieve during their time off — such as seeing friends, pursuing a hobby, or even organizing a closet — report being happier than those who don’t. The authors suspect the reason this works is that it makes us more intentional about how we will spend our time away from work and not because it allows us to cross things off from yet another to-do list. So even though we might look forward to lying around in our pajamas and doing nothing for a while, setting goals can actually help us recharge and ensure we get the most out of our leisure time.”
This is the whole idea of intentionally vacationing—it’s about creating a plan that will allow you to enjoy your time off.
If you want to feel fulfilled by your vacation, then keep reading.
How do I intentionally vacation?
This is the big question.
If you like the idea of creating an intentional plan for your vacation, then you have to learn how to actually do this. It’s more than just creating an itinerary, and it’s going to take some thought to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your vacation.
There are a few important things to consider when creating your plan.
Where are you going?
What do you want to do there?
What would you like to achieve?
These three questions will impact how you plan for your vacation and what you need to do to prepare.
Where you’re going is going to impact the research you might need to do. If you’re planning to visit a country that you’ve never been to, I strongly recommend that you research that country and its culture to ensure that you’re respecting their way of life.
You may find it helpful to research clothing norms, language, greetings, food, gestures, tipping etiquette, and topics similar to those. During your research, you’re going to learn about cultural differences, and I encourage you to embrace these differences with empathy and an eagerness to learn.
If you’re planning to solo travel, you must consider your safety when researching. They also have helpful insight into how to travel consciously to minimize your impact on the environment and support the locals you will be visiting. (If you’re interested in learning more about how to support locals, you may find this article a helpful tool).
Researching the country you’re planning to visit will help you gain more from your travel. You’ll have a better appreciation for the culture, an open mind to experience what the country has to offer, and more confidence in trying new things.
I love the insight this quote offers on the benefits of using resources to learn about a country,
“We are citizens of the planet, not just our country. We are not only climbers but also ambassadors. Our conduct is a reflection of our nation, our friends, and our families. Climbing and visiting foreign countries are privileges afforded by time and money, and through those resources, we can in some way contribute to the societies and lands we visit. Respecting and supporting local cultures are essential.”
Now that we’ve talked about the “Where are you going?”, let’s talk about the “What do you want to do there?”
Through your research, you’ll hopefully come across suggestions or ideas about what you can do in the place you’re going.
If you want your vacation to have a purpose, I recommend creating a list of the things you want to do while you’re on your vacation.
Travelers should think holistically about their approach to what they’re going to do. Think about the following categories and questions that The Reset Ritual writes when you’re planning what you’re going to do on your vacation:
Personal: What habits, preconceptions, or self-care do you need to focus on?
Cultural: How can you try new foods, practice speaking the language or otherwise immerse yourself into local life?
Comfort zone: What’s something that will make you slightly uncomfortable (though always be safe!)?
Reflection: Where, when and how long you will journal each day?
Connection: How can you grow closer to your travel mates, yourself and the local people?
Adventure: What can you do to get the adrenaline pumping? Anything from a nearby hike to skydiving!
These categories and questions can help you create a list of things you’d like to do while on your trip. Finding answers to these questions can help you shape your trip with intention and purpose.
The third question I recommend asking is, “What would you like to achieve?”
You may find that you’re in need of a self-care vacation. Be open to ideas like a retreat or a volunteer trip to rejuvenate your mind and give purpose to your vacation.
Settings goals will help you find fulfillment in your vacation. Think about how you want to feel after your vacation and what you need most in life right now.
What are the benefits of a vacation with a purpose?
Have you ever returned from a vacation feeling rested and relaxed, and then that wonderful sensation quickly faded? One of the main benefits of an intentional vacation is to shift how you perceive the world.
Whether you’re intentional vacation is a guided wellness retreat that teaches you how to find balance and incorporate self-care into your everyday life, or your vacation is a culturally rich experience that opens your eyes to a different way of doing life—the goal is that you’ll feel enriched and alive.
You might be surprised to learn that there are health benefits to traveling with a purpose. These benefits include anxiety relief, improved sleep quality, and boosted immune system. Sometimes, your body just needs a reset to improve your overall mental and physical well-being, and an intentional trip can help with this.
Time away from work is sacred, and spending that time intentionally can transform how you view the world and approach your daily life.
There are countless reasons why vacations are important, and spending that time with purpose can make the trip even more worthwhile.
Taking a well-planned trip (far away or close to home) can enable you to refresh, rejuvenate, and feel equipped to take on all that life offers.
Learn more
If you’re interested in joining an intentional vacation, I have an amazing opportunity at an all-inclusive women’s retreat. At this retreat, you’ll learn how to care for your mind, body, and spiritual sustainability in your day-to-day. Enjoy the luxury of an all-inclusive location while finding balance in your life.
