Comments on: Margarita Mentality and Mexico Memories (or How to Maintain a Vacation State of Mind)

By: Molly@Postcards from a Peaceful Divorce

Molly@Postcards from a Peaceful Divorce — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:57:22 +0000

I would like to echo Alexandra’s sentiments. I am always striving for positivity and LOVE to find blogs that are circulating good vibes, as it were (okay so I’m from California).

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:03:48 +0000

Loving this site. Followed you over from Justine’s rec. These are the types of blogs I want to follow.

Thank you for your words.

By: The Exception

The Exception — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:57:30 +0000

Oh I love this – and have had several similar thoughts throughout the week. I haven’t been on vacation, just commuting into DC for a change. I think we slow down when we are not in our usual, regularly scheduled programming – whether that be on vacation or not. We take life much more seriously during that normal day – and yes, believe it or not – people around here do choose that commute in bad traffic in order to live in their neighborhood or in order not to ride the metro… something that boggles my mind in a way.
Your thoughts are great – walking, the little things – for me it is also remembering to breathe. It seems on vacation (or out of the office) I have room to breathe deeply where during my regular life, perhaps I don’t think about stopping to breathe as often.

Great thoughts.

By: Aileen

Aileen — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:07:08 +0000

What a lovely post! I feel like I went on vacation just reading it… and now I have a light craving for a margarita.
“Our capacity for human-made, self-inflicted stress/suffering” – uue, I do that one quite well. If don’t pay attention it’s all too easy to go into that self imposed stress. I remember planning my wedding last year and being determined to just enjoy it and not stress about it – it amazed who was stressing about it – very strange. I thought of that when I read your words “I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of stress she would’ve been under had she been preparing for a less joyful occasion.”

By: Giulietta

Giulietta — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:13:32 +0000

Hi Belinda,

Great post! Yes, we complicate our “easy” lives and create our own stress. No one’s following us with a whip. We’re holding the whip! I love vacations because I feel ALIVE big time. My sense are heightened. It always feels like an adventure because we wing much of our vacations. Usually, don’t even get a hotel, just drive around seeing what attracts our attention.

And you SLOW down. On day one I’m a bit hyped out to sit in a cafe, by the end I’m loving hanging in a cafe watching folks.

We are in a hurry to get to the end of our lives! How silly is that? Let’s slow down and be on vacation all the time.

Thanks … G.

By: Sara

Sara — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:16:49 +0000

Belinda — I LOVE this post. I love that you put down your thoughts as they came and each one had it’s own beginning and end… like mini-stories. I really enjoyed this. You make such wise points in each of your stories:~)

Welcome back and I hope you will keep “easy” on your mind; let “hard” find a new home!

By: BigLittleWolf

BigLittleWolf — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:30:29 +0000

I love your suggestions for extending the vacation mindset. (And that margarita looks positively decadent.)

Unfortunately, a vacation hasn’t been in the cards for some time, but even small breaks now and then offer the change in routine that can help refocus. I know myself well enough, however, to realize that only when I leave town do I actually breathe more deeply, distance myself from the worries, and find my truer, better selves.

It can be almost anywhere. The newness of the place allows me to find reflection more easily over a cup of coffee, a short walk, the quiet. If it’s France, there’s so much pleasure in the language that I become a more “whole” self. A self I only seem to find in that country, as has always been the case for me.

Still – any change offers some benefits of a break. Perspective. Renewed strength. Appreciation for what I have.

We missed you. Glad to read you again.

By: Patty - Why Not Start Now?

Patty - Why Not Start Now? — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:56:01 +0000

Hi Belinda – Welcome back! Now when I think of you I can call up a picture of you dancing on those chairs. Anyway, we actually have a joke about this in our house (not the chair dancing part but the vacation part). We have “Vacation Dave” and “Regular Dave.” I much prefer Vacation Dave. He’s loose, fun, zestful. Regular Dave is more serious. We’re working to get the two to find that happy middle ground, and we definitely like our vacation selves the best. I think you hit on something with the easy/hard thing. When I continually ask myself, “How can I make this easier?” then I’m more likely to keep that vacation mentality going.

By: Roman Soluk

Roman Soluk — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:30:47 +0000

Really tasty picture! And, as always, nice info! Thanks for sharing!

By: Donna Brogan

Donna Brogan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:29:05 +0000

Belinda,
I am so glad you had a wonderful vacation and very deserving I might add. Love your blog. I try to keep a positive mindset each and everyday as if I was on vacation. Of course, it doesn’t work every day but most times. You always seem to be talking about something I really need to hear. I haven’t had a vacation for a very long time but it seemed like I went on one with you while reading your post. Thanks. And the margarita and sunset was awesome. I enjoyed them immensely. Looking forward to your next post. Have a great week.