Spring break for many of us does not include going somewhere tropical or extravagant, but we still have this expectation that we are going to make the most of the short week, to achieve goals and be productive and social. But, many of us find that every year those expectations fall a little short...
Expectation: “I’m going to work out every day!”
Reality: Your workout routine have definitely suffered the last few months, so this week seems like the perfect opportunity to get back in the routine and get yourself closer to being fit (maybe you’ll actually wear a bathing suit this year). In reality, this is a week off for you to get some rest, and working out takes a good amount of the energy that you are lacking, so naturally, you have lost motivation to do much of anything that involves leaving the couch or not eating snacks. Tomorrow or the next day, you might found some more motivation.
Expectation: “I’m going to be social and catch up with friends!”
Reality: If we have friends that are around and not on fun spring break vacations, we generally will go as far as making some plans to hang out with them. Once that day comes, though, we realize that being social is a lot of hard work, filled with putting on real pants and being taken away from the Netflix series we just started that we, of course, have to finish all 10 seasons of before the week is over.
Expectation: “I'm going to spend time outdoors!”
Reality: For anyone who lives in the northwest like I do, we know too well that spring break does not generally have sunshine planned in the forecast. This limits us to doing everything indoors or being completely miserable while doing things outdoors. So, you have made the executive decision to just not leave your house in general and wait for the weather to pass regardless if that means waiting all week.
Expectation: “I'm going to do some spring cleaning and decorating!”
Reality: Along with your workout plan and social life, your living space hasn’t gotten much attention either. During times that you should have been more productive, you were looking online seeing pictures of nicely organized and decorated rooms that generally are not realistic because, well, you’re a slob. Knowing this, you still tell yourself that with your extra time, you are going to make your room spotless and presentable for once. In reality, you sit in your messy room the whole break and add more empty food containers, as well as dirty clothes... Because who actually wants to clean on their time off?
Even though you had no fun vacation to go on for a week, you still were looking forward to not having to work for a few days or getting a much needed break from school work and projects. It’s okay to not achieve all your goals... Or any of them. Having a week filled with Netflix, eating, and sleeping is sometimes just what you need to relax and come back to real life in a week to achieve bigger, better goals that really mean something.
