Greetings MPI THCC! I’m a little enthusiastic right now because I just got back from a two week vacation to Alaska! I’ve been in the working world for 40 years and this is the first time I’ve taken a two week vacation. It was marvelous. I feel rejuvenated. I feel well-vacationed!

It made me think, why have I not done this before? Simply, it’s hard to take a vacation sometimes. It can be hard to wrap your mind around leaving and returning to the mound of work waiting for you. Two weeks away seemed daunting. But what I found is that despite the long absence, this was the easiest return to work I’ve ever had. So much so, that it’s caught my attention. There are lessons I’ve learned from this experience.

One, I went to a place I love. Alaska is pristine; there is still so much unspoiled land, endless forests and mountains and clear water. In August, the flowers are at peak bloom, there are wild raspberries and blueberries everywhere. It is an “outdoors place” with endless options for hiking, fishing, boating and sight-seeing. These things speak to me, and I think it is important to go somewhere that feels gratifying to yourself.

I spent quality time with my family. Our days were filled with an activity, then an afternoon happy hour on our deck with mountains as our backdrop, then off to dinner. We never turned on the TV and rarely looked at our phones; we talked, usually about the awesome day. We built so many memories, and I know these are stories we will talk about for years. It feels purposeful to build that kind of foundation with your family.

I recharged. The busy yet relaxed pace made me want to change how I go about my days at work/home. I tend to let the busy-ness rule and find that I don’t have much time left for family or friends. I also feel like I can’t have people over unless my house is perfect. Yet, on this trip, I let things like tidying up and doing for everyone go and just had fun in the moment. This switch was rewarded with laughter and good times, and I’ve realized the power of living in the present.

On my last morning of vacation, I reflected over these thoughts and grasped that I must learn from this experience and change how I go about my life. It’s not just work/life balance, it really is life and it’s meant to be loved.

I’m back at work now juggling all the things, but I’m taking time in my day to visit with my colleagues and business contacts, I’m finding more joy in the tasks, and I’m leaving work on time. I am spending more time with friends and family, and taking a cue from going to a place I love, I have curated a “joy list” filled with things I love to do with my time. I hope I keep going with this renewed pleasure in the now.

Sophie Curtis
2021-2022 President, MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter