Boarding the plane, I was excited for the adventure ahead. For months, I had been planning this getaway with great anticipation. Time with friends, visits to several towns and memorable excursions were all on the agenda. It felt like exactly what I needed: a break from my daily routine and an opportunity to explore new horizons.
When I arrived in Colorado, the brisk air and stunning mountain views immediately took my breath away. Surrounded by nature’s beauty, I felt a deep sense of peace and tranquility. It was a reminder of the healing power nature can have on the soul.
Over the next week, I spent time exploring local boutiques and restaurants. One day was devoted to Mesa Verde National Park, where we stood high above the landscape, taking in the vast wilderness below. Hiking the Colorado Trail and horseback riding through the Purple Cliffs felt exhilarating. Everywhere we went, the locals welcomed us warmly. I felt alive, savoring every moment and embracing life to the fullest.
As magnificent as the trip was, it left me wondering: does it take a getaway like this to truly feel alive? Do our daily routines become so mundane that they slowly drain the zest from our lives? What was it about this trip that made it feel so magical?
Part of the magic began long before I arrived. It started with planning, with having something to look forward to. I call this the vacation mindset. It is the mindset of anticipation, curiosity and openness to adventure. I have tried to adopt that way of thinking in my life at home, always searching for moments of fun and discovery. Yet many of us overlook the treasures that exist right within our own communities.
So often, people move through their days without exploring the places around them unless a friend comes to visit. Suddenly, when guests are in town, there is time to create an itinerary and experience the hidden gems nearby. But what if we chose to live with that same mindset all the time?
I am not suggesting that we ignore our responsibilities. Rather, I think it is worth noticing how we somehow do make time when we decide something matters. We can carve out time in our weekly or monthly routines for joy, fun and adventure.
What would that look like for you? Would it mean visiting a museum, seeing a play, spending an afternoon in a park or finally trying that new restaurant you have been curious about? The lifestyles and mindsets we embrace are, in many ways, a choice. When we learn to balance our responsibilities with experiences that bring us joy, life feels fuller and more meaningful.
We all have the opportunity to adopt a vacation mindset. And the best part is, it does not require a boarding pass to do so.
