I realized this week that my 60 plus workweeks are getting me down. And in reading an industry newsletter, where they pointed out that, for creatives, if you’re not taking a vacation and you are getting burned out, you’re at risk for your business suffering. Yep. I’m there. But I was looking far deeper for a solution – changing the business, changing my work. As it turns out, all I need is some time off! So, I think this spring we are going to hop on board the train, and go see Grandma and Grandpa in Chicago.
Here’s what I envision – stylish mama on the go below – with a rolling duffel and a backpack for mama and toddler (in an Ergo of his own), and a rolling suitcase and a backpack for Peanut, wheeling our way through Union Station in Chicago. Of course, I can’t even go to the grocery store with two kids without feeling frazzled, but bear with me, in this scenario, I am beautifully decked out in my black trench, a chic striped top, bright pants (I’m thinking red) and a cozy scarf. The kiddos, suitably decked out in their cuteness, are well-behaved and in awe of the trip enough to stay amused.
I’m patient, happy, looking forward to a train trip to Grandma’s.
There are other trips too – weeks away at the beach at Grandma D’s house, maybe even a trip to the butterfly garden in Grand Rapids. Indeed, there are a bunch of fun things we can do, together. Art galleries, with a lot of kid-art (I’m thinking that I’ll have to be creative and search around for the child-friendly programs), museums, nature hikes. And mama can take some much needed time off which is going to serve two purposes – to get my head OUT of my business for a bit, recharge my creativity, and spend time with my children.
I am even planning a few guilty pleasure days – on my staff-free Wednesdays I’m going to drop off the kids at day care and come home and SEW (the mere thought is delicious!) Outstanding! I can’t believe it took me this long to think of this vacation thing as a solution to nearly all the things that had been bugging me, but sometimes when you’re knee deep in alligators….
P.S. Yea, I know some of those things are outrageously expensive. But I have a long black trench, a vintage Aigner, that I love. I have leopard print ballet flats, love. I have fabric to make a striped top. I could sub in another scarf. I already own that Eddie Bauer rolling duffel. There are always ways to make a mom’s budget go further, and that does not have to always equal discount-chic-cheap (although I do love Target!) I bought my trench 25 years ago at a thrift store. It looks amazing, and the weathering on the leather details, super chic! So look to it for inspiration. Find your chic, cheap!