I mentioned last time that we traveled to British Columbia to visit our daughter and bring our granddaughter back to Saskatchewan with us for her summer visit. It’s a long way to travel: 1305 km / 811 miles. About 14 hours in total. We overnighted in a hotel part way there, but made it all the way in one very long day when we returned to Moose Jaw. That much time in a vehicle gives one a lot of time to think and, being a ruminator, I did a lot of it.
I was struck by the frantic pace of summer—for young families, especially, trying to fit in as many experiences as possible during the finite amount of free time available to them. Every place is crowded. Busy. Loud. People are in a hurry. Traffic is brutal. It’s hot. Kids and adults get cranky from being overstimulated. So do I.
Summer can feel like a whole lot of “too much” to me.
I prefer to stay home. I’ve known this about myself for years. I embraced staycations and always felt a tinge of guilt when asked about how I spent my time away from the office. Right around about the time I was preparing to retire from corporate life, I saw a meme that said something about wanting to craft a life that one didn’t need a vacation from. Exactly! That’s what I dreamed of for my post-career years.
I am not interested in being overstimulated by what feels to me like “too much” and no longer feel the need to justify my preference for home. I’ve done the busy summers and opt for something different now. Give me my backyard sanctuary, my woman cave, quiet music, my camera, and an ample supply of good books over the cacophony every time.
Off-season travel to see loved ones is more my style. Airline travel over driving? Yes, please. (That said, there’s something about a solitary road trip that still appeals.)
One of the gifts of growing older is the—What is it? Wisdom? Courage? Willingness?—to speak up about what you need, even when it’s contrary to the masses, and honour that part of your self that is nourished by it. I’m able to do that more and more with each passing year. No apologies.
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