Travel, Meditation & Doing Nothing
By: Reneé Claire Blanchard
I started 2020 off with nearly three weeks off in January traveling Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. The long term business goals I wrote in 2019 included my ability to travel for three months a year. I’m not even halfway there yet, but in the past year I was able to squeeze in five weeks of vacation. Traveling is very important to me and is a non-negotiable. I can’t date someone who won’t travel extensively (I’ve tried) and I won’t bind myself to a business where I don’t have the same kind of flexibility. It’s one of my non-negotiables in all aspects of my life.
In years past I shut the shop down for a week or two during our slowest month. But this year with a very strong staff and a busier than normal slow season, my entire staff was able to travel at different times throughout the summer while keeping the shop open and we all made money. My next goal is to increase my travel time by one or two weeks a year until I can consistently travel three months each year. Like anything it won’t be linear, but a slow march towards a more flexible schedule.
This past October when I realized I was starting to make all kinds of excuses to not take the time off, I quickly booked a small house for 2 weeks in Terlingua, TX, a very small town 30 minutes outside Big Bend National Park. And then before I knew it the day was here for me to get in my car and drive for days and days.
The park is only 16 hours away from New Orleans, but I took five days. I took I-10 West through Louisiana, dropped the dogs off at my cousins in Lafayette and continued to Houston for a two day stay. I stayed in the Rice University district. Lord, I love Houston! I visited the Museum of Fine Art. The exhibits were so beautiful and engaging! I also visited The Menil Collection. It is incredibly calming space and there is a wonderful bookstore.
I then followed I-10 again to San Antonio for two more days. I stayed in a wonderful hotel with the most relaxing bed! (As soon as I got back home, I bought a new bed, which I had been putting off for years scoffing at the cost) The town is very charming and I got to go to the Alamo and pretend I was in Pee-Wee’s Great Adventure.
The drive from San Antonio to Terlingua is 7 hours. Then I slept for nearly 4 days. I guess I really did need almost 3 weeks away!
The little house I rented had an amazing view of the Chisos Mountains. The sunrises and sunsets were too incredible to capture with either words or photos accurately.
While I was there I tried to keep the routines I have spent a long time developing that I know make my days better, like wake up early, meditate and then some kind of physical activity. I have improvement to make in order to have a daily meditation practice, but I have meditated 3 to 4 days a week for five years. The time ranges from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. Meditation practices are merely a practice of finding grace for yourself. It is really difficult but studies show it doesn’t matter how much struggle you experience to sit in stillness your brain is benefiting just the same as those who find it easier.
More than anything meditating is something I get so much out of that I do it while traveling as well. My morning routine has a little wooo in it too! I pick a tarot card after meditating and think about the theme of the card and how it might apply to my life. I use those thoughts to journal a bit and then head into my day. At home I then head to the gym where I add on 5 more minutes of meditation as I finish my workout. On vacation I usually make breakfast and then take a hike or long walk to explore.
The tarot card works for me, but you could read a poem, the bible, or repeat a simple affirmation, whatever works for you. I found that adding a sentiment to reflect on right after meditating helps me make decisions throughout the day that are aligned with my integrity and values. I’m less likely to abandon myself in my interactions or shrink to people please, which are my go to actions when I’m not mindful.
On this vacation I also turned 40 and with age I have less tolerance for not feeling my best. Anything that doesn’t feel good is an inconvenience, including my own bullshit. My mindful practice makes sure I start the day feeling good. So does extensive travel!
While in Terlingua, I kayaked the Rio Grande, hiked several trails, and drove to see the many nearby beautiful sights. But one of the most important things I did was lay on the floor and do nothing. The trip was long enough that many days I was just bored. I know myself well enough now that I need to just stare at the ceiling or in this case the beautiful mountain range. I returned feeling really refreshed with so many new ideas and stronger boundaries to achieve all the things I want to accomplish, including more travel.
Reflection Ideas:
(1) In regards to work life balance, what are you non-negotiables to feel happy and satisfied?
(2) What ritual do you do everyday that makes you feel your best? How can you be more consistent in doing that one (or several) things?
(3) Have you booked time off yet?
