Does real life stress ever ruin your travel?
May 4th, 2004, 04:43 PM
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Does real life stress ever ruin your travel?
DH and I are finally taking our trip to Italy (the one we had to postpone in March). We leave on may 18th. The thing is, life has become really stressful for us right now with some health concerns and job concerns etc. . . and I just hope I don't spend all my time in Florence and Venice worrying over life issues instead of marvelling at Michaelangelo! Any tips on how to enjoy my trip without letting life get in the way?? Thanks!
May 4th, 2004, 05:03 PM
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Living in the moment can be learned. Don't know if it can be learned in two weeks, but you might try to get information on meditation techniques. Worked for me.
Also, keep your eyes and ears open every minute that you are awake--I mean really open, make an effort to be aware of what you are seeing and what noises are around you. If you do this you will probably be caught up aborbing the sights and sounds of a culture and society that you will find to be both familiar and different in so many ways. Once you get used to being more aware of sights and sounds, don't forget your other senses--smell, taste, touch.
Remember--though there might be negative things going on in your real life, this trip is also your real life--you will be there, you will be alive, you will have experiences begging to be experienced. It will be very enriching part of your real life.
Also, keep your eyes and ears open every minute that you are awake--I mean really open, make an effort to be aware of what you are seeing and what noises are around you. If you do this you will probably be caught up aborbing the sights and sounds of a culture and society that you will find to be both familiar and different in so many ways. Once you get used to being more aware of sights and sounds, don't forget your other senses--smell, taste, touch.
Remember--though there might be negative things going on in your real life, this trip is also your real life--you will be there, you will be alive, you will have experiences begging to be experienced. It will be very enriching part of your real life.
May 4th, 2004, 05:17 PM
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Well, I have to say that one of the greatest things to force the issue for me over the years has been non-refundable tickets. They are wonderful. You are REQUIRED to take your trip according to the appointed itinerary. It's the best thing that could have ever happened to me.
It's important to be able to put things into the proper perspective. Would anyone's health be any better for NOT going? Would the job stuff just go away? Would sticking it out for a couple of weeks in the daily grind instead of going out and actually LIVING, instead, really improve matters? It's damned doubtful.
Life's cares are likely to be there at any particular point in time. People who wait for the "perfect time" to do things can spend their lives waiting.
If it all goes to hell in a handbasket, I know that my wonderful experiences are something that nobody can ever take away from me. It isn't really going to make a heck of a lot of difference if they foreclose on me in August instead of October, (though neither is likely.) I would still be better off for not having squandered the good times; timidly trying to hold it all together and being afraid to smell the roses because I insisted on keeping my nose stuck in the grindstone.
Go and enjoy yourself. You will return with a new perspective and renewed purpose. You deserve it. Life is perishable, so don't let it spoil on you. Plan what you can, but save tomorrow's worries for then.
It's important to be able to put things into the proper perspective. Would anyone's health be any better for NOT going? Would the job stuff just go away? Would sticking it out for a couple of weeks in the daily grind instead of going out and actually LIVING, instead, really improve matters? It's damned doubtful.
Life's cares are likely to be there at any particular point in time. People who wait for the "perfect time" to do things can spend their lives waiting.
If it all goes to hell in a handbasket, I know that my wonderful experiences are something that nobody can ever take away from me. It isn't really going to make a heck of a lot of difference if they foreclose on me in August instead of October, (though neither is likely.) I would still be better off for not having squandered the good times; timidly trying to hold it all together and being afraid to smell the roses because I insisted on keeping my nose stuck in the grindstone.
Go and enjoy yourself. You will return with a new perspective and renewed purpose. You deserve it. Life is perishable, so don't let it spoil on you. Plan what you can, but save tomorrow's worries for then.
May 4th, 2004, 05:20 PM
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Bravo, Rufus 
He pretty well summed it up. You can leave those troublesome thoughts and worries behind for a few days, they will be there when you get back, or hopefully not!
It will be easier once you are at the airport, if you are like me. When I walk into that airport, the rest of the world is far away and I am off on a new adventure with the Yankee and it is just the two of us in a new world.
It will both enrich your lives and help you manage the "real life" problems when you get back, refreshed with new attitudes~
Good luck, have a Happy Trip!
He pretty well summed it up. You can leave those troublesome thoughts and worries behind for a few days, they will be there when you get back, or hopefully not!
It will be easier once you are at the airport, if you are like me. When I walk into that airport, the rest of the world is far away and I am off on a new adventure with the Yankee and it is just the two of us in a new world.
It will both enrich your lives and help you manage the "real life" problems when you get back, refreshed with new attitudes~
Good luck, have a Happy Trip!
May 4th, 2004, 05:32 PM
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Ivy--it's not automatic. That negative real life may seep around the edges a bit, but don't let that worry you. Just take a deep breath and open those eyes wider and take a good look around you wherever you are.
Guess what! Practice this all the time whether you're on vacation or not, and you will probably find that things look a bit better back home, too!
Guess what! Practice this all the time whether you're on vacation or not, and you will probably find that things look a bit better back home, too!
May 4th, 2004, 05:36 PM
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Darn it, I keep meaning to add that obviously this isn't something I invented, and there is a lot more to it than the technique I described. Two years in Korea spending lots of time in Buddhist temples both in meditation seminars/classes and on my own changed my life around totally. That was 30 years ago and I am still learning, practicing, sometimes faltering, then trying again.
May 4th, 2004, 05:53 PM
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I don't have a Buddhist bone in my body, but I've gone to Europe a number of times during times of severe duress on the home front, and all I can say is that 24 hours after departure, it had all completely melted away as I fell under the spell of magical scenery, delicious food, colorful characters, awesome architecture, and just being outside my normal existence.
Think of travel as tonic for the body and mind.
Think of travel as tonic for the body and mind.
May 4th, 2004, 06:16 PM
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Sometimes I may not be able to forget all the problems/worries I have at home while travelling but I know that I have to make the most of my holidays and I also know that I have to enjoy life even if there are problems/worries.
My husband and I are leaving in 2 days for Greece. I was telling him last night that I knew it might not be the best time for holidays but I really didn't remember many times that we had no worries (big or small) at all. I don't think there is "the best time" until we try to "make" it.
So, live and enjoy. Have a great time.
My husband and I are leaving in 2 days for Greece. I was telling him last night that I knew it might not be the best time for holidays but I really didn't remember many times that we had no worries (big or small) at all. I don't think there is "the best time" until we try to "make" it.
So, live and enjoy. Have a great time.
May 4th, 2004, 06:16 PM
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Leave pertinent contact information with the necessary people and go on your trip. Going or not going will not influence future events. If someting does occur, you can and will deal with it.
Invariably one of my parent's developes "health issues" right before I leave on a trip I have learned to leave contact information with the appropriate people and then go.
Invariably one of my parent's developes "health issues" right before I leave on a trip I have learned to leave contact information with the appropriate people and then go.
May 4th, 2004, 06:43 PM
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Ivy, my heart goes out to you! We all have things in our lives that make us less than happy, and as wonderful as travel is, our world has such a way of intruding...it takes effort to "gift" ourselves with the joy of seeing new vistas.
You are going to a beautiful country. That is in your favor! What I do on every trip I take is WRITE. I bring a small journal with me, and at the end of every day, no matter how tired I may be, I sit down with a glass of wine and put pen to paper. Somehow recounting the day's events with my husband helps bring us together, and with every sentence I write I realise how blessed I am to be a foreign person in a welcoming land. It helps put life in perspective for me. It makes me happy; it makes me strong. I go home feeling enriched and ready to deal with whatever life hands me, for I have experienced wonder.
You are going to a beautiful country. That is in your favor! What I do on every trip I take is WRITE. I bring a small journal with me, and at the end of every day, no matter how tired I may be, I sit down with a glass of wine and put pen to paper. Somehow recounting the day's events with my husband helps bring us together, and with every sentence I write I realise how blessed I am to be a foreign person in a welcoming land. It helps put life in perspective for me. It makes me happy; it makes me strong. I go home feeling enriched and ready to deal with whatever life hands me, for I have experienced wonder.
May 4th, 2004, 06:54 PM
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Rufus - You brought a tear to me one good eye! Very profound and so true!
Ivy - I just lost my mother suddenly last month. While booking my husband's trip to Italy, I jumped in and booked it for all four of us...we were just there last summer. I figure that it will do us all good to get away and to be with our Italian relatives. A change of scenery is sometimes just what the doctor orderd. Enjoy your trip and if you want to meet in Pza. Della Republica in Florence for a coffee my DH and I would be happy to meet up with you. We don't leave until May 30th.
Ivy - I just lost my mother suddenly last month. While booking my husband's trip to Italy, I jumped in and booked it for all four of us...we were just there last summer. I figure that it will do us all good to get away and to be with our Italian relatives. A change of scenery is sometimes just what the doctor orderd. Enjoy your trip and if you want to meet in Pza. Della Republica in Florence for a coffee my DH and I would be happy to meet up with you. We don't leave until May 30th.
May 4th, 2004, 07:10 PM
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Sorry about your Loss Calamari..
Mothers are special people, the angels of the house and nobody can ever replaces them.
I lost mine years ago and still miss her dearly...
Lvy, I hope that you and your husband find peace and joy in one of the most beautiful country in the world..
Just relax and think about the present, enjoy the moment..open your mind to new new experiences, culture and most of all to the beautiful scenery all around you.
Every time that you feel down start singing , it always works for me..
Ciao and Buon Viaggio,
kismet
Mothers are special people, the angels of the house and nobody can ever replaces them.
I lost mine years ago and still miss her dearly...
Lvy, I hope that you and your husband find peace and joy in one of the most beautiful country in the world..
Just relax and think about the present, enjoy the moment..open your mind to new new experiences, culture and most of all to the beautiful scenery all around you.
Every time that you feel down start singing , it always works for me..
Ciao and Buon Viaggio,
kismet
May 4th, 2004, 07:25 PM
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I agree that writing is good for the soul, at least for certain people. I write daily in my journal when I travel, and it helps sort out the day's adventures as well as keeps a record of what I see and experience.
Calamari, maybe keeping a journal on this journey will help to remember your mom as well as record your trip. I don't know - it's not really my place to suggest it. I'm immensely lucky to have my mom still with me at 85, though she's disabled from a fall at, of all places, the steps at Lourdes cathedral. If she were gone, though, I think I'd still take a moment to write about her every day in my journal.
Calamari, maybe keeping a journal on this journey will help to remember your mom as well as record your trip. I don't know - it's not really my place to suggest it. I'm immensely lucky to have my mom still with me at 85, though she's disabled from a fall at, of all places, the steps at Lourdes cathedral. If she were gone, though, I think I'd still take a moment to write about her every day in my journal.
May 4th, 2004, 07:30 PM
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Very nice, Rufus!
Ivy, I realize this is easier said than done but worrying about issues you can't do anything about (while you're in Europe anyway) is not going to do anything to solve those issues. Just try to do as Rufus suggested and live in moment, appreciating how fortunate you are to be able to be in such a beautiful and fascinating country like Italy.
I also have a feeling that once you actually are in Italy, in awe at the things you'll see, you'll mostly (if not completely) forget about your worries.
Have a wonderful trip!
Ivy, I realize this is easier said than done but worrying about issues you can't do anything about (while you're in Europe anyway) is not going to do anything to solve those issues. Just try to do as Rufus suggested and live in moment, appreciating how fortunate you are to be able to be in such a beautiful and fascinating country like Italy.
I also have a feeling that once you actually are in Italy, in awe at the things you'll see, you'll mostly (if not completely) forget about your worries.
Have a wonderful trip!
May 4th, 2004, 08:34 PM
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I can really empathise with you Ivy, we're not in the easiest place right now, but as many of the above posters stated, things seem so far away when you're away from home, computer, phone, etc...etc..etc.. I feel reassured that we can still go on our trip after reading this and am thinking that the change, no matter how brief will be good for the soul. Have a wonderful trip and many good thoughts are heading to you. There is much beauty in Italy, look for it in the small things and be reminded of how much beauty there is in the world around us!
Peace,
Julie
Peace,
Julie
