View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ☪︎ kirsten (@kjoliv) on Apr 8, 2018 at 7:15pm PDT

Elephant’s Continually-updating Coronavirus Diary. ~ Waylon

We work our butts off for months on end. 

We’ve been counting down the days until we can pack our bags and Uber our way to the airport for our long awaited vacation.

And while there are countless reasons why a vacation may not take place as planned, a worldwide pandemic is uncharted territory for most of us. We can be forgiven for being a little disappointed that our three-week tropical getaway was scrapped this year.

There are likely millions of people around the world with these not-so-fuzzy feelings and travel blues. Exhausted parents are juggling work and homeschooling while daydreaming about the poolside cocktails they would have been enjoying at this time. Many disappointed 20-something-year-old’s are sulking over brochures of their canceled Contiki tours.

As we learn to navigate these exceptional times, here are three ways to make ourselves feel that little bit better about having to cancel our holiday plans this year:

1. Take a trip down memory lane.

One of the best ways to stir up some warm, positive feelings is to open up that old box of photographs (or these days, open the photos app on our phone or tablet). Recently, I have found myself revisiting old albums from trips taken as a child as well as more recent escapades, like my visit to Sri Lanka with friends last year.

Not only has it reminded me of the pure joy that traveling and exploring this beautiful planet gives me, but it has left me feeling profoundly grateful that I have been able to live a life so full of travel and adventure. If we took a trip with friends, set up a Zoom call together, and have a virtual Saturday night gathering sharing travel stories and a few drinks.

2. Buy a travel magazine.

Go to a local newsagent and buy the best looking travel magazine. I’m talking one of those ones with a dreamy white sand beach on the cover, or a stunning photograph of a Thai temple or Egyptian pyramid. Next, make a cup of tea, or perhaps pour a nice glass of merlot (or go crazy and whip up a margarita), and then put on some good tunes. If South America is high on the bucket list, try out the Latin section on Spotify. There’s a wide variety of different cultural sounds and songs from all over the world to get us excited. 

And finally, find a cozy spot on the couch, and settle in for a feel-good hour or two that will leave us feeling inspired and uplifted.

Tip: keep a pen and paper close by to jot down notes of places and activities that spark up interest. Better yet, take a few snaps on the phone and save them to a “travel” album. This way, when travel restrictions have been lifted, we’re already one step ahead of planning our next trip!

3. Make a change—big or small.

It’s like that old saying: “A change is as good as a holiday.” There is some merit to that, especially during times like these. When the most exciting part of our day is a trip to the grocery store or a walk around the block, a small change at home can make all the difference to our mood and outlook. 

So, while we have all this extra time to spend within the confines of our own homes, we have a perfect opportunity. It could be as simple as cleaning out a closet full of useless junk, changing the furniture around in the living room, or repairing a leaky tap. 

Having a small mission in mind and seeing it to completion is satisfying and can be a healthy distraction from the uncertainty of present times. Let it be an exercise in Feng Shui to encourage similar feelings that we would experience on a relaxing beach holiday. If we can’t take that trip overseas—the one we were so desperately looking forward to—work to create an environment at home that evokes sentiments of balance and calm.

We will return to normal. We will be able to book vacations, explore our local areas, and enjoy nature again. Until then, let us have a little gratitude for all that we have been able to experience up until now, and look forward to adventures yet to come.

 “Oh, the places you’ll go.” ~ Dr. Seuss

~