On Vacation.

Vacation-like thinking. The actual thoughts one has when on vacation.

Having a blast. Not thinking about work or coming up with ways to forget about it.

Everything I encounter is new to me. I’m not sure where everything is so I sit and consider things before I get up and do anything. I’m jotting things to do on a list so I wont forget them. I’m concerned about the physical location of everyone in my family…where is everyone? When will I see them next? Who has the schedule? Not every minute of vacation is fun, but something fun is scheduled today, or at least tomorrow before lunch!

Figure out the next shower … where to take a dump where no one will know. Small worries. Low stress. Just looking forward to dinner and whatever that will be. The “big” event of the day; selecting the genre of dinner, “Oh that will be exciting!”

There are also emotions which arise during vacation; Mild excitement; Some real stress, like, Mother has a headache and what exactly do we do? But, people have a different attitude when they’re on vacation.

I’ve come to believe that it is the vacation attitude, not the actual thoughts, that makes being on vacation such a restorative activity.

People on vacation tend to be more optimistic about their surroundings and the people they encounter. Vacationers are overtly friendly. There’s a sense of, “Hello there, we’re all on vacation together. Isn’t it fun?” . Vacationers take what people around them say seriously. They listen carefully. They consider whatever they come across in terms of its effect on what today’s plan calls for. When you’re on vacation you sort of trust everyone and their intentions

I believe people can choose and in fact are responsible for their attitude. I think people can decide to have vacation attitude any time they choose. So why not select the vacation attitude?

An important element of being on vacation is that most everyone you meet knows you are on vacation (because they are too).

So I decided to wear a button that says “I’m on vacation.” Wearing this button indicates I am or want to have that on-vacation attitude. So, on weekends or out at the bar, or to really show off at work, I can wear the button and actually try to feel like I’m on vacation. When I am not on vacation I wont wear the button. I can forget to wear the button or take it off, but if that becomes a too-often used excuse, the button will no longer indicate my selected attitude.

When I am working I am no longer on vacation. I can function quite well when I am working, but I can take it for only so long until I need to be on vacation again.

Being stressed and overly concerned about the future; These times are work times.

Being on vacation more and more often will increase my lifespan and improve my character.

My goal is to be on vacation as much as possible, and predict that people will almost always prefer to deal with me when I am on vacation.

The longer I can honestly say “I’m on vacation.” the better I am.