I enjoyed this newsletter SO MUCH. And that is because I see myself in you. Honestly, when has vacationing become a competition? This May, my husband and I traveled to Albania. A country that had never been on my radar. But we discovered it and said, let's go! We only had four days there so we thought "okay, let's pick a hotel by the beach and just chill". We found a beautiful down and a hotel right by the sea. And I absolutely loved it. We did a tiny bit of adventuring but mainly spent time at the beach. Even though I enjoyed the trip to the fullest, there is now that nagging feeling of "did we do enough?!". Even though "doing things" wasn't the point of the trip at all. But I just can't shake that feeling. I hear so much about the beauty of Albania and the different regions there. And honestly, I feel like I missed out. But I don't want to feel that way. Because I loved my vacation. It's just so hard to shake it.
Thank you so much for reading and I’m so glad to hear it resonated!! I feel like when I talk about this with some people they have no idea what I’m talking about 😂 I definitely need to work on rewiring my brain for being content, not making content
Wow, yes! Being content instead of making content. That's a whole new level to what I've described...did I show the world enough how much I enjoyed my vacation?? We live in a crazy world....
turning on the 'intentionality level' when we do things in life is so important. starting planning offline is crucial. it helps reflect internally at first, which is key for long-term satisfaction. thanks for sharing, great read 🫶
I just learned about Flip & Flop from you! THANK YOU! As I read your first phase of the essay all I could think was, "dude she's exacccccctly like me!!" Do you have any Virgo in your birth chart by any chance? I'm a virgo moon haha! lists lists lists, planning, analysis, eventual paralysis xD
Don't repeat. Don't overplan. Don't use your mobile for anything but photos. Don't use guidebooks or recommendations. Let your mood in the moment dictate 'flop' or 'adventure' etc
I’m ‘old’ so I don’t have an Instagram or TikTok account. Thank goodness. I have enough trouble keeping up with my Substack reading. About a dozen posts dropped in the past few days and I’ve been too busy to read them. But travel? I love it. But I’m Australian so travel is a very different concept down here. Usually I work out a route then check booking.com and TripAdvisor and grab my favourite places and then just enjoy! Be Here Now. A wonderful philosophy. Anyway, intriguing and slightly upsetting to see how the digital generation manages. I’m definitely glad to be me. Sending heaps of hugs. Take care dear Sarah.
I enjoyed this newsletter SO MUCH. And that is because I see myself in you. Honestly, when has vacationing become a competition? This May, my husband and I traveled to Albania. A country that had never been on my radar. But we discovered it and said, let's go! We only had four days there so we thought "okay, let's pick a hotel by the beach and just chill". We found a beautiful down and a hotel right by the sea. And I absolutely loved it. We did a tiny bit of adventuring but mainly spent time at the beach. Even though I enjoyed the trip to the fullest, there is now that nagging feeling of "did we do enough?!". Even though "doing things" wasn't the point of the trip at all. But I just can't shake that feeling. I hear so much about the beauty of Albania and the different regions there. And honestly, I feel like I missed out. But I don't want to feel that way. Because I loved my vacation. It's just so hard to shake it.
Thank you so much for reading and I’m so glad to hear it resonated!! I feel like when I talk about this with some people they have no idea what I’m talking about 😂 I definitely need to work on rewiring my brain for being content, not making content
Wow, yes! Being content instead of making content. That's a whole new level to what I've described...did I show the world enough how much I enjoyed my vacation?? We live in a crazy world....
turning on the 'intentionality level' when we do things in life is so important. starting planning offline is crucial. it helps reflect internally at first, which is key for long-term satisfaction. thanks for sharing, great read 🫶
Trying to move my life as offline as I can… such a struggle!
i feel you. to give myself some energy (when it feels way too hard) i remember: best things in life need to be fought for.
I just learned about Flip & Flop from you! THANK YOU! As I read your first phase of the essay all I could think was, "dude she's exacccccctly like me!!" Do you have any Virgo in your birth chart by any chance? I'm a virgo moon haha! lists lists lists, planning, analysis, eventual paralysis xD
thank you so much for reading!!!!!!!!!!
Don't repeat. Don't overplan. Don't use your mobile for anything but photos. Don't use guidebooks or recommendations. Let your mood in the moment dictate 'flop' or 'adventure' etc
I recently watched a video by The Financial Diet about the influencer lifestyle that touches on some of the things that you mention.
Social media really could give us a false reality of what people can afford/live/enjoy their life
Thank you so much for reading!!
I’m ‘old’ so I don’t have an Instagram or TikTok account. Thank goodness. I have enough trouble keeping up with my Substack reading. About a dozen posts dropped in the past few days and I’ve been too busy to read them. But travel? I love it. But I’m Australian so travel is a very different concept down here. Usually I work out a route then check booking.com and TripAdvisor and grab my favourite places and then just enjoy! Be Here Now. A wonderful philosophy. Anyway, intriguing and slightly upsetting to see how the digital generation manages. I’m definitely glad to be me. Sending heaps of hugs. Take care dear Sarah.
There is a third way, Sarah
Say more!