Seriously. Why am I in my 30s and am just now feeling like I am starting to have fun? Looking back, it seemed like all I was focused on was college, then career, then landing a husband. Then more college. Then kids.
I don’t even remember a single hobby I had. No interests. Just work. Kids. Home. Work. Kids. Home.
Now the kids are a little older. They have interests of their own. I seem to have more hobbies than time in my day. We take vacations. Go on trips. And not just to see family back home, but actual vacations.
I read books that aren’t just about leadership or parenting.
I am enjoying myself.
One of the first "Staycations"
Question is, why did I wait so long? What changed it for me?
Looking back, I think part of the reason I was such a homebody was my upbringing. My dad went to work, came home, made dinner, went to bed. Got up, went to work, made dinner, bed. Every. Single. Day.
My mother on the other hand, is always “flitzing” around, as she likes to call it, on this bus trip and that tour of blah blah city. She is rarely ever home.
They were both too extreme for me.
Venturing a little further out
What I think changed for me was breaking my leg last year. What a life changing experience something like that is. Put someone in a cast for 6 weeks and make them dependent on everyone around them and see how fast they appreciate life. And health. And not being couped up in the house.
During that time, I had to depend on anyone that would have me. Luckily, there was a woman who lived near me and was willing to drive my sorry butt to and from work. She was always either taking a trip or planning a trip. She had all these great places she knew about. I could never keep track. I had never met anyone like her. Squeezing every last ounce of life into her day.
Once I was somewhat healed, she invited me along. I got to see that vacations don’t have to be all work. They can be relaxing. Got to learn what worked and what didn’t work with the kids.
Started having a little fun.
Unfortunately, my gypsy friend has moved far away, so I don’t get to see her as often as I would like. So, this year, I have been venturing out on my own. Trying little “staycations” here and there. I still plan the heck out of everything and get myself stressed over getting it all organized. We also always have a “lessons learned” at the last meal of the vacation and write down what we will try differently next time. Like bringing more sunscreen to the water park…That was a big one last trip…
Now, the only thing limiting me is being able to pay for all this fun. And the fact that the kids don’t have passports…yet…
Right where I'm supposed to be.
