Holiday!
Planning a vacation from my problems
(This post is best read while listening to Holiday by Madonna, FYI.)
One of my most favorite and underrated movies from my childhood is What About Bob?. Growing up, my brother and I watched it often, and we still recite lines to each other at 37 and 43. If you haven’t seen it, the premise is this: Bill Murray plays Bob, a man with mental health challenges and Richard Dreyfuss plays his new psychiatrist, Dr. Marvin, who is about to go on vacation. Bob shows up at Dr. Marvin’s vacation home, hilarity and chaos ensue. The most important (and repeated) line: “I’m taking a vacation from my problems!”
Lately I am spending most of my day helping students regulate at school before heading home to help my own kids regulate through the witching hour and bedtime. Emotions have been high on all fronts and I’m feeling a bit fried, despite my efforts in self-care. To be honest, I would do just about anything for a vacation right now. Instead, I’m here, pretending to take a vacation from my problems. I’ve been daydreaming about taking a night (or four!) away, all the things I’d wear, eat, and do. And while it’s fun to see new places, I’m not sure my decision-fatigued mind could take it right now. Instead, I’ve been thinking about revisiting some of my favorite places. The pressure’s off when visiting an old favorite — you’ve already seen all there is to see, and you can settle back into cozy spots.
I love my kids. And I love my husband. But in my daydream, this is a solo trip, and I will return to them well-rested and revived after some much needed introvert time. I also am gifting myself some new things for these hypothetical trips, because this is my daydream and I have a long and occasionally unrealistic wishlist.
If I had one night, I’d stay close. We’re fortunate to live about 20 minutes from several walkable towns that are ideal for a staycation. Princeton is one of my favorite spots, and the place where I’ve taken the most stroller-length walks with my newborn babies. The University art museum just reopened after full renovation and I would love to wander and then spend an evening reading a book at the bar of a restaurant.
Stay: Graduate Hotel
Do: visit the Princeton Art Museum, maybe catch a movie by myself, take a really long walk along the canal
Eat: dinner at the bar at Kristine’s, drinks across the street at Mistral, coffee at Small World
If I had two nights, I’d head north to Ithaca. I lived there for 18 months about ten years ago, and it’s one of the best places to visit. Ithaca is where I really learned to love winter, even when it lasts until May. A weekend of hiking followed by a hot yoga class and an afternoon at the spa could heal me.
Stay: I’ve always stayed at Airbnbs when visiting, and this one has been on my wishlist for a long time
Do: Hike Buttermilk Falls, take a class at Mighty Yoga, spend an afternoon at the spa at Inns of Aurora, maybe drive up the lake for a glass of wine or two at a winery
Eat: Viva for Mexican food and a good margarita, College Town Bagels for breakfast, Gimme Coffee for a good latte
If I had four nights, I’d head west. My husband and I traveled for 10 days in California on our honeymoon, landing at Sparrow’s Lodge for the last stretch of the trip. Years later, I went back to Palm Springs with my oldest friends when two of us were pregnant with our first babies so it feels extra sentimental.
Stay: Sparrow’s Lodge
Do: I’d mostly swim and read by the pool, try for one day of hiking nearby, book a stargazing tour in Joshua Tree
Eat: Sparrow’s Lodge kitchen, Birba for a night out, maybe breakfast at Norma’s
BONUS, If I had two weeks — two years from now, I will turn 40 and my mother and mother-in-law will turn 70. My MIL grew up in a seaside town in southern Italy. I feel like the three of us should go for a visit to celebrate, or maybe this is just the plot of a novel I need to write in my nonexistent spare time. TBD. I’ll renew my passport just in case.
A few odds and ends:
Xue wrote a great piece about traveling as a mom, in which she actually took the most incredible trip
Christina Cardy, DNP let me chime in for her In Practice series. I loved getting to chat about what I do and how I got here.
I’m finally finishing this book, after reading the first half of it while in a postpartum fog.
I’m making this recipe this weekend, with extra leftovers for lunches.
This class is on my to-do list after the longest four day week.
I’m not heading anywhere special this weekend, but I am going to focus on little ways to take care — a slow cup of coffee, an afternoon massage, a trip to the library with my daughter, hopefully taking my son for a walk before yet another snow storm. I hope you find some cozy rest, too.
Let’s chat
Have you ever taken a solo trip to recharge? Where would you go?
Thanks for reading and for being here, it means a lot. If you enjoyed this post, I hope you’ll share with someone or comment below. XO, T
A note — my post may include some affiliate links, meaning that links may generate revenue at no cost to you. This month, I am donating all affiliate revenue to the CTUL rent fund.
I should probably do this too: “I also am gifting myself some new things for these hypothetical trips, because this is my daydream and I have a long and occasionally unrealistic wishlist.”
Also, man oh man, what I would give for a little jaunt to Italy right about now.
You should definitely do a night at the Graduate! I did a one night stay (with drinks at Kristine's ) - 10/10, so charming xx