Manifest Vacationitis
There is no vocabulary that translates to the anticipation of going on vacation after working hard for a long time. The closest word that I got out of Google is a slang, Vacationitis.
Vacation + the suffix “itis” that is attached to anything that relates to: in medicine, characterized by an abnormality, swelling, pain or itch.
The itch of going on a vacation—everyone loves that.
It’s a smart play on words that I find hilarious and yet, it rings positively. During my brief research, I wanted to capture the essence of an emotion that I recently experienced yet again.
The way I can really expound on it is when emotions intensify as you close in on your vacation while grinding your way out of work—taking the daily punches and emerging satisfied every working day. That feeling of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel—a resolution, for all your hard work that will finally pay off once you punch out on the ADP machine or shut your computer down after that 5:00pm shift. God, what an amazing feeling that is.
Vacationitis. It’s the perfect word.
And there you are, free as a bird, free from the shackles and chains of what’s draining your life force. A temporarily relief from answering emails, doing Zoom calls and having a defined schedule to spend your day, brings light back to your eyes that just screams, “I’m done with that!”
Make no mistake, while going on vacation often seems like a dream for most of us, it doesn’t feel as rewarding when you actually sweat for it. There needs to be an incubation period of hard work simmering behind the impetus to travel or to take a break. Hard work also entails doing amazing with your occupation—it adds fulfillment, rather than just showing up and dreading every single day.
Think about taking a break 3-4 times a year, I guess this is the most optimal structure. Anything more than this dilutes the feeling of wanderlust. Vacations become meaningless the more you experience them. The goal is for you to soak up as much memories as you can in a limited or reasonable period of time that will not rob you of your purpose, pace or routine. Keep the fire to work, but don’t forget to enjoy and make it count.
Friends, manifesting Vacationitis is not a bad thing. In fact, it benefits your mind to balance priorities. If God designed life to just be all enjoyment, it gets dull and boring. This is probably one of the reasons why the Roman Empire fell. People lost touch of what it means to work hard for something—everything became easily accessible to those who can afford. The fact that men are designed to conquer challenges and celebrate after a triumph is the very idea we even strive in life. Things start out bad before they even get better, sometimes.
And if we are all just about work and climbing up the ladder, then when and how can we enjoy the fruits of our labor? Our time on Earth is limited, we’re not going to remember our achievements on our deathbeds. Be sure to work hard, but enjoy as well.
Love the life that you’re in while working. Whether you are a business owner or an employee in a large company, the reason you grind is also the answer to most of your problems in life. I cannot emphasize how important having a calling or purpose in life is. I cannot emphasize how having the proper mindset and attitude are the keys to happiness in a fulfilled life. When you treat things with positivity, good things and opportunities to show up more often.
Who doesn’t want to be called lucky for having so much opportunity approach you?
Some people are deemed lucky because they can afford to travel often.
They’re lucky because they afford the good things in life.
We’re not lucky, we just know our calling, purpose and how we balance a life well-lived.