This summer, a friend and I were talking about our habits during vacation. She and I were specifically bringing up the phenomenon of how, whenever we’re traveling or on an extended holiday recess, we find ourselves loading up on carbs, dairy, and sugar like human garbage disposals. This behavior, of course, leads our bodies to retaliate in the form of inflammation, fatigue, and bloating. Meeerrry Christmas!

Anyone else out there find themselves doing this?

Well Team, talking with my buddy made me realize, I don’t just do this with food during time off. The pattern I’ve observed is that, during school and work vacations, I spend more money, stay up later, workout less, and eat more—everything gets shaken up. And, what I’ve come to accept is that it’s a wonderful—and dare I say, necessary—shake-up.

It is so good for someone like me to just friggin’ let go! Given all of the routines and schedules, and commitment to work, practices, games, and the rest of it, it’s so important to have days where I loosen up on all of those responsibilities.

What I don’t want to do anymore is give myself a hard time about it. In the past, when I’ve had these phases of abandoning discipline, my internal system seems to sense danger ahead and retaliates with judgment and disapproval. 

That inner critic can try and say things like:

• Mags, are you trying to boost Amazon’s quarterly earnings? Did ya really need all of that crap? And while we’re on the topic, do you still think those Christmas pillows from HomeGoods were a “must have” now that the beeding is unraveling all over the first floor? Not so much now, hun?
• And what’s with this, starting movies at 9:30 at night? What do you think—you’re a college student? College aged kids have things like energy drinks and youth on their side—you’re a 49 year old woman and on blood thinners. Stay in your lane, Karen.
• And lastly, do we really think it’s a good idea to keep Tillamook Mint Chocolate Chip on the premises, Mags? Haven’t we learned our lesson there? You’re all-gas-no-brakes when it comes to ice cream and that’s why we set down the ground rules! I’d appreciate it if you’d stop behaving like they’re suggestions.

Oh my gosh! That voice can be relentless, right? But here’s what I have to say…

• Back off, bad-mouth Mags! This sister is on VA-CA-TION, and guess what that means? Sleep schedules are optional, ice cream is a breakfast food, and if a HomeGoods purchase makes me happy for 12 minutes? It was worth it. You think you’re helpful with your feedback, but here’s the deal—I don’t need your sass while I’m here living my best perfectly imperfect vacation life. So, take your spreadsheets, and your 9PM bedtime alarms, and move aside because you’re blocking my path to the freezer. I’ll see you in January!

Now, before I leave you Team, I wanna share one more benefit of letting go without condemnation. All of this spending, staying up late and indulging always reminds me how much I actually appreciate the structure I’ve built into my life. When I’ve been in the grind day after day, week after week, month after month, I start to resent it. Then, the time comes to loosen the routines. Honestly, it doesn’t take long to see how much serenity that structure brings to my life. But I can forget that if I never give myself permission to fully let go.

Here’s to eating ice cream straight from the container until the kids are back in school! Who’s with me?

Next week, we’re going to hear the words of another TeamConfessioner—my cousin Keely, who was the first to contribute to our Summer Submission Campaign. She is going to teach us about scaffolding and how we might all consider using this technique to help us keep those New Year’s resolutions. Have a great rest of the year Team, and thanks so much for listening!