HauerTo: Actually Relax on Vacation

Vacations are supposed to help you relax.

And yet somehow, a lot of vacations turn into:

This summer, let’s try something radical:

actually enjoying the trip.

Here are a few ways to relax on vacation instead of treating it like a competitive event.

Not every second of vacation needs to be optimized.

You do not need:

Some of the best vacation moments happen when you’re doing absolutely nothing important.

This is where people get themselves in trouble.

If every day is packed from morning to night, eventually everyone gets tired, cranky, sunburned, or all three.

Leave room for:

Vacation needs breathing room.

You don’t need photographic evidence of every appetizer.

Take a few pictures, sure. But don’t spend the whole trip documenting the trip instead of enjoying it.

Some memories are allowed to exist without becoming content.

Not every vacation day becomes a core memory.

Sometimes it rains.

Sometimes the restaurant is disappointing.

Sometimes everybody gets annoyed trying to park near the beach.

That’s normal.

The less pressure you put on the trip to be perfect, the more fun you usually end up having.

Most vacations blur together eventually.

So pick one memorable thing:

It doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to feel different from normal life.

A good vacation isn’t about cramming in the most stuff.

It’s about coming home happier, lighter, and slightly less stressed than when you left.

Slow down. Leave room for fun. And remember:

doing nothing for a little while is sometimes the whole point.

Bob Hauer