I am currently planning a trip to Maine for next year and I am beyond excited! I have been researching like a madman and it is time consuming.

Recently, we went on a family vacation and my stepmom said, “Okay, I am not planning anything because I am tired of being the planner.” At first, my sister and I were shocked because we always have stuff planned when we go on vacation. Now, I understand her frustration. By the way, the trip went 50/50 so not planning isn’t a total bust but I am an advocate for planning, if you can. Planning can be fun because you find those special restaurants, those fun activities, and those hidden gems of the area. However, planning can be the worst. Researching for those special restaurants, those fun activities, and hidden gems can be time consuming. Some of the best places to go and things to do are off the beaten path and not easy to find on the first couple of websites you visit.

To be a savvy planner, you need to find as many resources as possible because one website or book isn’t going to have every single thing about the area in them. This is another thing that can make planning somewhat of a nightmare. If you have time to plan, you should. By not planning, you could miss out on some great experiences and some really great food. I’m all about the food, can’t you tell?

1. You get to pick out all the restaurants you want to visit.

You scan the menus and when you find those magical entrees, you know you have found your restaurants. It is like the skies opened up and the sun shined down on you! *angels start singing*

2. It takes days, even weeks, to do some serious research.

After a couple hours, you become disoriented and wonder where all the time went.

3. While planning, you imagine yourself doing fun things!

You think of all the good food you will eat and the things you will see. This is what dreams are made of!

4. Once you figure out where you are going and what you are doing, you get to plan your outfits, yah!

When you find those perfect outfits, it is one the most satisfying things you will ever experience!

5. Packing is the worst.

Like I said, it is the worst.

6. You realize how expensive this trip is going to be.

*Starts praying there is money in your account as you log in into your account*

7. If things are not in your budget, you have to cut them out.

But I want to do all the things! *starts tearing up a little*

8. If you are going with other people, you have to take into account their interest which can be fun or not so fun.

Or just go alone and that can solve this issue!

9. However, if you are going with people, you get to include them in the planning so that takes some of the load off of you!

It is almost as great as it would be for Ron Swanson to hear that the U.S. Government shutdown for the day!

10. If travel time is long, it can consume the day or even two!

You already know you will revert back to your cranky childhood days when you have to travel more than a couple hours.

11. By the time you are done planning, you get to relax and rest assured that things will be alright.

Ah, relaxation. Where is the chocolate?

12. You then panic and worry that all your planning was a waste because life does not like to follow the plan.

13. However, you realize you can’t worry about what life is going to throw at you so you say “whatever” and sip your beverage with that pinky high in the air because you spent weeks planning this awesome vacation like a boss!

TREAT.YO.SELF