Lola’s POV: 5 Things You Learn About Yourself When You Vacation

Just recently I came back from my adventure into BVI with a group of my closest friends. Besides forgetting to put on sunblock on a daily basis, and not counting my daily calorie intake, I ventured a bit into my thoughts and profound reflections on life. Of course, I decided to write them down and share them with all you vacay lovers to read, and keep in mind for your next vacation.

Take risks.

When you’re in the comfort of great friends and on relaxation mode, sometimes your body is in need of a rush! Our usual “rushes” are composed of stressors, and handing things in late, and due dates, and having something to focus on 24/7. When you’re relaxed, the body asks for a different type of way to be excited and frankly taking risks like diving, or dancing, or swimming in the deep ocean is a way to stimulate your senses and get the adrenaline running. I tend to do these sorts of things as a way of acknowledging that sometimes life gets boring and you have to do things when you get the opportunity.

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You learn who your real friends are.

I always make reference to that point in a sleepover where everyone gets tired of everybody, and you want the night to end so you can detox from those people for weeks on end. But this wasn’t the case at all! When you get along with the people you’re traveling with, there’s always something going on, and something to talk about. I probably had the most fun that I’ve had in a long while, and it’s due to the people I was surrounded by. Whether we were groggy in the morning and getting ready to get on the boat or we were worn out at a sports bar at midnight, we always found a way to have fun.

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Even workaholics need a break.

I love working. I love having something to do and having a tight schedule, and going to meetings and stressing about WTF I’m going to write about. But I realized just how good it feels to let go a bit and remember that I’m young, and I need that time to unwind and enjoy life every once in a while. If you’re a workaholic like me, you shouldn’t feel guilty if you want some days off, and you will probably be more productive when you get back (hence this POV!)

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You learn to accept yourself when you’re having fun.

I’m used to getting insecure sometimes in the beach environment, although I’ve learned to overcome it quite a bit. I remember packing my makeup bags and shoving them in my duffle bag before leaving and my mom telling me that they didn’t fit and that I was ridiculous because I was going to be at the beach all the time. I didn’t use makeup once during the trip. I didn’t blow dry my hair or worry about how my swimsuit would look to other people, and I was in a state of mind that people only dream of.wp_*posts

You need to unplug once in a while.

I can’t even count the number of times I left my phone at the house while we were going out, I probably left it there every day because I didn’t find the need for it when we were all together. There wasn’t a snap, an Instagram pic, or a YouTube video important enough to scroll through or tap when you’re with people you love, and doing something you like. The only technological feature I could not let go of was my GoPro. Learn to embrace the moment, and if you need your phone, make sure it’s to play some good music.