Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
Bringing that Vacay Vibe Home
Do you ever notice how the things you consider drudgery every day are fun on vacation? “Let’s walk to the grocery store!” you say after a day at the beach, and then you happily cook a three-course meal and it’s a joy.
Time is part of it—you aren’t stressed, and you don’t have to wake up at 5:30 in the morning to get everyone out the door. The space is part of it, too. Your beach rental may have just enough equipment for you to pull off a nice meal, but the countertops are free of clutter: No endless to-do lists and piles of mail take up space where you’re trying to chop—nor do they tug on your mental space as a reminder of work. The company might be part of it, if you’re with friends and family don’t see often, and many hands can make light work of prep and cleanup.
This summer, could we try to bring back home that appreciation of simple things that comes with uncluttered vacation days? What if we spent more time doing things like making our beds, cooking our meals, washing our clothes? Would we learn to take more satisfaction in those tasks, and not feel the need to rush off to a virtual world or buy yet another pair of shoes? Can we train ourselves to derive simple pleasure from taking care of our paperwork and our clothes?
The next weekend you’re home, try to bring some of that vacation vibe to your dinner. Make it casual: Invite some friends if you want, or don’t. Cook something you’ve never cooked before, or cook something you love to cook that takes too long for a school night. Make the table pretty. Let yourself be creative.
Give your home a little love. It’s great to travel, it’s great to have full and busy lives, but sometimes it’s nice to slow down and appreciate a meal with family, clean laundry and a clear desk.