We’ve all seen them, the crippling stats that prove that American’s rarely use their vacation days let alone actually vacate their lives for a getaway sans work. It actually makes me sick and sad that we are so attached to our own work that we forget to put our toes in the sand without having our cell phone in our hand. We jetted off to Costa Rica on Saturday and are spending a week in sunshine an amazing adults only resort. When Drew and I first got together we made a pact that we would travel one week out the year – no questions asked. It has become a planned expense and a priority in our lives and something I pray and hope we stick to every single year. This will be our fourth year traveling together and we have a few rules in regards to our vacation stays. (Don’t worry, this post has been scheduled in advance and my computer is no where in site!)
1.) Cell phones go in the safe – you may check them once or twice while away but they do not go with you and the remain shut off. There should be no need to have it with you, therefore leave it behind and enjoy. (This is also a date night rule, no phones during date night.) It feels so great to disconnect – to forget about what the heck is happening on facebook or who emailed you. Sure the occasional Instagram may happen but keep the phones locked up and out of site. After a few hours you forgot why you ever needed your phone in the first place, talk about liberating.
2.) Travel the same time every year – with a job that books my life almost two years in advance, keeping consistent dates helps us to make sure our trip happens and gives us zero excuse for working during our time away. The first week of February is when we go, we know that, we plan that, we celebrate that. The last few years we have celebrated Drew’s birthday in a tropical location! This year, it’s Costa Rica!
3.) Adults Only, All Inclusive – these are our rules. We want to totally disconnect from the outside world, we don’t want to carry money around, we want to totally enjoy the company of other adults (including our friends Andy and Tammy who we met on our honeymoon and have travelled with every year since!) and not have to worry about children screaming, wrist bands to prove we are legal, or soggy money in our swimsuits. These are our rules and we stick to them!
4.) No alarm clocks – this is the chance to sleep until your body is ready to wake up, don’t set an alarm, rise when you can see the sun shining into your room. We really try to disconnect from the concept of time on vacation. If you need a nap, go take a nap, if you want to party all night, stay up late. Our lives are so ruled by clocks that it’s nice to just let it all go and do as you feel, when you feel it! Let’s be honest – it’s always time for a cocktail, right? It’s five ‘o clock somewhere, guys!
5.) Have fun – this is the time that we look forward to, email auto replies go up and we totally spend time reconnecting with one another without all of the distractions of everyday work. We try to plan at least one big adventure while away and spend our time being active in the water, the gym, and on the volleyball court (I have this wicked move called the side arm Susie, you should see it!) We yearn for this week every year and are so thankful that we made this travel a priority in our marriage!
(These photos are from last year in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic! See more: here.)
I promise you won’t even know I’m gone, stick around and keep reading:
