Let's Go! - 25 January 2022 - Plague Journal Day 684

Micah 6:8
Deuteronomy 16:13-15
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is National Plan For Vacation Day. That's probably a really good thing to do ... up to a point. What I mean by that is that setting aside time on your calendar for a vacation is important. Having an idea that in just so many weeks you'll be heading off for a change of routine adds a certain pre-Joy to life.

Not planning on time away from work and responsibilities means you'll end up not taking any time away - and that's simply not healthy. I say this as one who has almost never managed to take all the vacation time I was allocated. I have, though, always take some time off, and wouldn't be willing not to do so.

The other part of that is that if you plan things in too much detail you'll lose the serendipity that awaits you on your vacation. We tend to have a destination in mind for a vacation (typically a tent-camping trip) with only the most general notion of what we'll do while we're there (wherever that might be). It's a good thing to have a family negotiation as to what to do "today" each day on the trip. Each member will have a different notion of what would be fun, and each will also have noticed something different from the others to offer as a possibility.

For example, the boys in the rear seat of the van which is facing backward might notice a sign by the road and suggest that we stop and go trout fishing while camping out West near Mount Rushmore. That turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.

So plan to go on vacation, but don't plan all the details of that vacation. I'm pretty sure you'll like it better than the trip with a detailed itinerary.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our insane lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.