Day 117 of 365 - Vacation Envy
Where I live, it is bitterly cold this week. Yesterday we had a big snowstorm. Thankfully, today the sun is shining to brighten the mood, or at least it was for a few hours. Do I wish I was relaxing in a tropical location? I sure do! But, it's not happening for me this winter.
Actually, our winter has not been at all bad in terms of snow accumulation. But we have had a lot of cloudy days and alternating weeks of mild to freezing weather which just chills you to the bone and puts you in a glum mood.
The good news is, in a few days we will officially be at the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox. Yes, spring is coming and our hours of daylight are increasing.
It's near this halfway point of winter that so many people take off for warmer climates, either by pre-planning or on impulse. I envy the snowbirds who have budgeted and planned to be able to live in a warmer location for several weeks or even for most of the winter. I certainly believe in the restorative value and health benefits of soaking up sun and being near the ocean.
Is it worth it to me now, to spend the equivalent of a month of living expenses to have a week in a tropical location? That would be a 'hard no', to use the current expression.
Ten or fifteen years ago, I would have said yes. We were a long time getting to the point of craving a winter vacation. Then, for about ten years we were willing to take money out of savings to be able to go for a week or two, always believing we would replenish the pot. However, you get to a point where you realize that having money to live on in retirement is more important than one week of fun in the sun.
However, if you have the means and the wherewithal to travel, go and do it while you are healthy and energetic enough to do so. It's true that a lot of people wait until retirement years to travel and then become unable due to health issues. It's a fine balance, and a personal decision.
Other good reasons for me not to travel south include the negative physical repercussions of eating not so healthy resort food, or the temptation to indulge in too many tropical cocktails. It's not worth it to me to lie in the sun feeling lousy because I've strayed so far from clean eating. The costs just do not outweigh the benefits. I could physically get away with that several years ago, but not now.
There, I think I've convinced myself now, perhaps enough to get over the hump of this winter. Meanwhile, I'll bundle up, put on my thick slippers and have a cup of hot tea. This too shall pass. Onward to spring!
Actually, our winter has not been at all bad in terms of snow accumulation. But we have had a lot of cloudy days and alternating weeks of mild to freezing weather which just chills you to the bone and puts you in a glum mood.
The good news is, in a few days we will officially be at the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox. Yes, spring is coming and our hours of daylight are increasing.
It's near this halfway point of winter that so many people take off for warmer climates, either by pre-planning or on impulse. I envy the snowbirds who have budgeted and planned to be able to live in a warmer location for several weeks or even for most of the winter. I certainly believe in the restorative value and health benefits of soaking up sun and being near the ocean.
Is it worth it to me now, to spend the equivalent of a month of living expenses to have a week in a tropical location? That would be a 'hard no', to use the current expression.
Ten or fifteen years ago, I would have said yes. We were a long time getting to the point of craving a winter vacation. Then, for about ten years we were willing to take money out of savings to be able to go for a week or two, always believing we would replenish the pot. However, you get to a point where you realize that having money to live on in retirement is more important than one week of fun in the sun.
However, if you have the means and the wherewithal to travel, go and do it while you are healthy and energetic enough to do so. It's true that a lot of people wait until retirement years to travel and then become unable due to health issues. It's a fine balance, and a personal decision.
Other good reasons for me not to travel south include the negative physical repercussions of eating not so healthy resort food, or the temptation to indulge in too many tropical cocktails. It's not worth it to me to lie in the sun feeling lousy because I've strayed so far from clean eating. The costs just do not outweigh the benefits. I could physically get away with that several years ago, but not now.
There, I think I've convinced myself now, perhaps enough to get over the hump of this winter. Meanwhile, I'll bundle up, put on my thick slippers and have a cup of hot tea. This too shall pass. Onward to spring!
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