You don’t need an upcoming vacation to get through the month—unless you tell yourself you do. But with that mindset, however long, the vacation can only be too short. A lack of holidays was never the problem. It was some deeper issue with your work or relationships, and that will likely persist after your return.
But who is ever free of the big challenges in life? Perhaps even solving those isn’t something we can pursue with relentless fervor until it’s done—because it’ll never be done. Solving problems big and small is what we’re born to do. But it’s also an endless game of whack-a-mole. So perhaps what we really need is to figure out how to enjoy existing in a world where problems are ubiquitous.
I still look forward to my vacations. To a book launch going well, a big investment paying off, and pulling my Pokémon chase card out of a booster box. But I also look forward to having 30 minutes to myself during lunch. To watching some anime, responding to reader emails, and taking a hot shower at night. Solving such tiny problems can feel just as gratifying, and it comes with the added bonus of knowing you didn’t need a new car to fall asleep happily at night.
Use your power. Work on big things. Just make sure you always have small things to look forward to along the way.
