Naarica’s Post

How to whip up a family vacation that feels like an escape (without turning into a 3-ring circus)? Based on my family's ~50 trips over the years, here are 3 tips for what you should and shouldn't do: 1. DON'T: Play tourist roulette with an exciting new venue for each and every vacation. INSTEAD, make a habit of revisiting your family's favorite spots. Think that's boring? Think again—you'll already know: • Exactly where to eat and fun stuff to do. No endless Trip-Advisor/Yelp/Google research and planning • Exactly what to pack. No more "Oops, forgot that!" moments • What to expect. No more surprises, just traditions in the making Remember: To kids, a beach is a beach is a beach. Not every vacation needs to be a brand-new adventure! 2. DON'T: Toss your normal routines out the window. INSTEAD, keep things fairly consistent. Parents often think vacations should be a total break from the usual. The result? Cranky kids and exhausted parents. Keep a bit of your regular rhythm: • Stick to rough bedtimes (and wind-down routines), but maybe let them stay up a tad later for special nights • Keep similar meal times, but let them try new stuff on the menu • Let them indulge in some of their usual downtime activities, even though they're "on vacation" 3. DON'T: Try to cram in every "must-see" attraction. INSTEAD, cherry-pick a few quality experiences. Some tips: • Don't let one attraction take over your whole day.  Leave room for random fun and lazy moments • Mix it up between busy sightseeing days and laid-back lounging days • Let everyone in the family pick one cool thing to do on the trip Don't sweat trying to do it all. The best memories often pop up when you least expect them, not from crossing stuff off a list. -- Many times, chasing non-stop novelty can turn your family vacation into a high-wire act. We parents too often think "shiny and new" is the only way to create lasting memories. INSTEAD: • Make a habit of circling back to your family's favorite vacation spot • Stick to your usual routines (with some wiggle room) while you're away • Zero in on quality moments, instead of trying to do everything under the sun Now, go and get started planning your next circus-free family adventure—one that you'll be sure to enjoy, too!

Planning a Vacation with ADD Hey there! Planning a vacation for individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder may require a bit more thought, but it can still be just as fun and exciting! Let's focus on the big picture first - where, how, and when are you going? Once you have the general idea, hop online and start digging into the nitty-gritty details. It's important to start saving money in advance for your trip so you don't end up in debt. Plan out your expenses for gas, food, and lodging. Depending on the length of your trip, you might need to start planning a year ahead. Consider how far you can comfortably drive each day and make sure to pack healthy snacks to avoid unnecessary stops and keep everyone happy and well-fed. Keeping a med schedule is also important. Timing is key when it comes to vacation planning, especially if you're heading to a popular destination. Try to go during off-peak times to save money on accommodations and other expenses. And if you're traveling during peak season, make sure to book your lodgings well in advance. By taking the time to plan thoughtfully, you can ensure that your vacation is a rejuvenating and enjoyable experience for the entire family. And hey, who doesn't want to come back from a trip feeling relaxed and energized, without breaking the bank or packing on extra pounds? Happy travels! For the full text of this article, stop by the Live Well with ADD website. Interested in learning more about living your best life with ADD/ADHD and other neuro-differences? Come visit us at www.livewellwithadd.com and see what we're all about. While you're on our site, be sure to take a look at our Living Well newsletter sign up on the Home Page. See you there!

Daily Om: An Instant Vacation If you can't get away on a vacation, turn your home into an instant vacation place. Throughout our lives, most of us are led to believe that relaxation is best pursued outside of the home. As a result, we spend months anticipating weeklong vacations, seldom fully appreciating the leisure time we are blessed with on a more regular basis. It is possible, however, to experience the same utterly relaxed state you slip into while on holiday within the walls of your home. The feelings of serenity you enjoy during a vacation are a product of your outlook rather than your locale. You give yourself permission to enjoy yourself and unwind while on vacation. Granting yourself the same privilege while at home allows you to experience complete relaxation, even when surrounded by routine. Our homes can be distracting places as most survival tasks are addressed there. Reviving the tranquility you felt on holiday is as easy as creating an atmosphere that helps you relax. First, divest yourself of the notion that messes must be cleaned up immediately and reaffirm that relaxation is as vital as physical nourishment. Then, set the mood. Music that reminds you of a beloved vacation destination can put you in a vacation mind-set. The exotic flavor of a tropical beverage or the spiciness of a favorite ethnic dish can transport you to a more restful mental space. Finally, put aside your projects and commit to doing only what you consider truly pleasurable. Your responsibilities will wait as you put up your feet and revel in peacefulness that comes from within. If you find it difficult to ignore the temptation to simply fall back into your usual schedule, consider that relaxation should occupy a prominent place on your to-do list. You deserve to take “you time” and to care for yourself, even during life’s busy periods. While you may not always be able to get away from it all, you can still nurture yourself and regain your peace of mind.

Why You Should Always Take A Photo Of Your Stove Before Vacation You'll thank your carefree self later. By Kaitlyn Yarborough   FROM SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE Published on May 10, 2024 Getting ready to head out the door for a weekend getaway or much-needed vacation is a flurry of action, from trying not to forget anything while packing to making sure you’re leaving everything in good order. Well, good enough order. While quickly cleaning up the house before departing is a priority for some, that is the least of potential worries. Most people actually tend to be more concerned about what they didn’t do before leaving the house, which is why the best thing you can do before vacation is take photos of household items for peace of mind. More specifically, you should always take a photo of your stove before heading out. Why? Because it eliminates any potential stress later on, helping appease yourself that you did, in fact, not leave the oven or stovetop on. In turn, you’re able to feel confident and secure while enjoying your time away from home. Why Taking a Photo of Your Oven Is Helpful To no surprise, it can be very dangerous to accidentally leave the oven or stovetop on while you are away for even a few hours, let alone days. It is a common cause of house fires, and for certain stoves, the risk of a natural gas leak is another concern. Moreover, taking a photo of your definitely-turned-off stove helps you be confident that you actually turned off your stove before leaving for vacation, or you can risk being distracted from enjoying your trip by worrying about it. Nothing stifles a good time like being stressed about what is going on at home without any way to intervene. Therefore, a photo will be able to reassure yourself that all is well. Even if you are diligent about checking, and double-checking, the stove before leaving, it is very common for people to second-guess themselves afterwards to a point of distress. A photo helps eliminate the mind’s ability to trick itself into thinking we might not remember our actions accurately, which can a huge stress factor for some. What Else Should You Take Photos Of? Electrical Outlets (and Hair Tools) Thermostat Garage Back Door While taking photos of important security and safety items before heading on vacation is helpful, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Always prioritize a routine, turning everything off and shutting the house down for your absence. It can be tempting to rely too heavily upon the photos and go into your cellphone’s photo albums many times during your trip, but don’t let it take over your mindset while spending time with friends and family. Odds are, you can trust your instincts! READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/gAsQgFja

🌴 A Salesperson Going on Vacation??? How Hard Can It Be? 😅 As much as we all look forward to taking a break, going on vacation can be quite the adventure for those of us in sales. The lead-up to those precious days off can often feel like scaling Mount Everest. Here's a glimpse into the dual reality many of us face: - Before Vacation: The Preparation Odyssey: Projects On Track: Making sure everything is shipshape and online. Cue the late nights and early mornings! Attention to Detail: Double-checking every detail to prevent any unexpected surprises. Client Communication: Strategically planning client updates while subtly hinting you'll be "off the grid" temporarily. - On Vacation: The Escape Maneuver: Rest & Disconnect: Attempting to relax and unwind, while your work brain occasionally shouts, "But what about that email?!" Conscience Battle: Juggling the guilt of not being available 24/7 with the need to recharge. - The Unexpected Guest Stars: Respectful Clients: Those who honor your vacation time like it's a sacred temple. Demanding Clients: The ones who couldn't resist that "urgent" call or email (even though it wasn't urgent at all). Bosses and Coworkers: Suddenly discovering every minor issue needs your immediate attention, even though you've left clear instructions. Balancing these dynamics can be like trying to tame a herd of hyperactive squirrels. Remember, setting boundaries, having a solid game plan, and maybe a touch of humor can help turn this adventure into a stress-free journey. - Tips for a Vacation Survival Guide: Boundary Setting: Letting everyone know you're "off-duty" with your best out-of-office message. Delegate: Having a trusted colleague on standby for those "emergencies." Zen Schedule: Setting specific times to briefly check-in, just to keep the peace. Restorative Naps: Because your wellbeing is the ultimate treasure to protect. Do you relate to these vacation adventures? How do you keep the peace and enjoy your time off? Share your favorite vacation survival tips and tales below! Don't be shy! 🌴

After wrapping up my vacation it’s now time to jump back into the game and re-engage with my team and the business. I read with great interest an article written by Bill Murphy of Inc a few years ago about re-engaging when returning from vacation and it all made so much sense. So, I borrowed the 8 topics Bill highlighted and filled in the rest. Here we go!   1. Come Back on a Wednesday or Thursday   I failed miserably on this suggestion returning instead on a Sunday night. Since the airline misplaced one of our bags – I am sort of glad we returned at the end of a weekend. I do see the advantages of returning mid-week or at the end of the week to allow plenty of re-entry time to prepare for the following week.    2. Start the Day Before   This is one I struggle with as starting the day before you return is giving up part of your time off and swapping relaxation for stress which I don’t see me doing. I have a bad habit of looking at my messages every other day looking for any big rocks that need my attention. That does not mean I re-engage and start working… Having a great leadership team in place usually helps avoid too much engagement (if any) and I am fortunate to have a solid leadership team at the helm!   3. Get Up Early (and Maybe Meditate)   Agree 100% with this suggestion to get your brain re-wired for work since I had plenty of down time while I was away. That’s one of the many reasons I enjoy cruises as you get the chance to nothing (quite a bit) yet you can elect to take excursions that are of interest.    4. Get Your Diet Right   Oh yeah! This one should be at the top of the list. If you practice intermittent fasting (that I try to do) you’ll need to revert to your healthy habits before you kick-start your post vacation routine. It’s great when you get to enjoy certain foods or desserts while you are away, after all you are on vacation! Vacay is over now -- time to get back to eating right!   5. Take a Few Minutes to Find Out What Happened   Get caught up on what has happened and focus on the big things that need your attention. This should be easy enough for most of us.    6. Delete Meaningless emails   Most are meaningless or SPAM related so hit that delete button and smile while you do! Purging worthless emails is a skill I have mastered over the years, so this one is easy for me.    7. If You Must Read Emails, Read Them in Last-to-First Order   Love Bill’s advice here so you can focus on the NOW as many big issues that happened in the business 7-10 days ago are no longer issues and especially if you have a great team to help steady the ship while you are away.    8. Focus on Big Projects   Measure what Matters (a page from John Doerr) is great advice here. Assess the big projects or annual initiatives that need your ongoing attention and focus of those. Many people spend way too much time majoring in minors when you can take that same energy and move mountains on the things that move the needle on your career or your company.

Pre and Post vacation BLUES goes like this 🙈 (my tips to handle it better might surprise you) You know you’ll find too many emails and urgent tasks waiting for you on your return to work (post-holiday blues). On top of that, there’s the challenging period leading up to your break (pre-vacation blues). I always pack in too much, working on it. ☺️ With the BIG summer school holidays less than a month away, here are my tips for staying sane(r): 1️⃣ 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵-𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 As soon as you book your actual holidays (got to love that feeling!), I recommend you add time slots for catching up with everything post your holidays. Scheduling time to tackle emails, urgent projects, team and customer inquiries after your holiday will help you feel less overwhelmed during your first week back. 2️⃣ 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 The perfect business owner is highly organised and never feels overwhelmed. Well, we’re not operating in a Ken & Barbie world. Especially as working parents. Not everything that needs our immediate attention can be planned for. Plus, we sometimes enjoy checking in with work when we're on holiday. Whatever works for you is OK. You're the boss. 3️⃣ 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. Go easy on yourself when you end up in total ‘headless chicken’ mode despite your best efforts. 💜 4️⃣ 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱. Tell everyone who needs to know about your vacation dates. Add it to your calendar, SLACK, and your productivity tool. Prepare your team. When is the last time your team can get your feedback? What happens if clients want to speak to you urgently? Who on your team can deal with this in your absence? Does your out-of-office message communicate this? The list goes on. 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗢𝗨 PS. Tell me in the comments where you’re off to for your next vacation. This is a picture of me drinking Alsterwasser (beer with lemonade) and my son drinking apple juice during one of our German seaside breaks.

The Vital Pause: Why Vacation Time is a Non-Negotiable Need As I reflect on the whirlwinds of our daily lives, I’m struck by an overwhelming realization: we need to pause. Amidst deadlines, goals, and endless to-do lists, self-care often takes a back seat. Vacation time is not just a luxury; it's a fundamental need for our well-being, productivity, and overall happiness. Imagine the relentless ticking of a clock, each second slipping away, yet we seldom take a moment to reflect on how we spend our time. Our minds and bodies, like that clock, need maintenance to function optimally. We are not mere machines; we are human beings, woven from dreams, emotions, and memories. Without breaks, these threads can fray, leaving us disconnected from what truly matters. When was the last time you felt the sun on your face without the weight of urgency pulling you back to your desk? When did you last take a deep breath, free from the pressure of unfinished projects and looming expectations? Think back to standing at the ocean’s edge, feeling the sand beneath your feet and the vast horizon before you. Such moments remind us of the need to explore, dream, and simply be. Vacations are not just an escape from work; they reconnect us with ourselves and loved ones. They allow us to step out of our routines, embrace new experiences, and gain fresh perspectives. Vacations renew our spirits, broaden our horizons, and reignite wonder lost in the monotony of daily life. Moreover, they enhance our creativity and productivity by allowing our minds to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. Plan that trip, read that book on the beach, hike that mountain trail. Embrace your vacation time as a gift of renewal, inspiration, and profound, life-affirming joy.

Consistency on Vacation: Should You Post or Pause? When it comes to social media, vacation often brings the ultimate dilemma—do you stay consistent and keep posting, or do you let your followers miss you a bit? Consistency might seem crucial, especially if you’ve built an audience that expects regular updates. After all, your travel experiences could be gold for engagement, showcasing glimpses of new places, foods, and cultures. It can also be a way to bring your followers along for the ride, keeping your connection alive and offering them a taste of what you’re discovering. But let’s be honest: sometimes the constant urge to post can turn a relaxing vacation into a chore. Isn’t the whole idea of a vacation to step back from everyday routines, including the digital ones? Being ‘off the grid’ can feel liberating, giving you a break from the pressures of creating and curating content. It’s a chance to be fully present without worrying about capturing the perfect shot or drafting the ideal caption. Yet, taking a mindful approach can be a win-win. How about finding a middle ground? Instead of overthinking each post, share only the moments that feel genuinely special. This allows you to be spontaneous and authentic rather than trying to keep up with a schedule. Maybe post a quick story or photo when something truly catches your eye, but give yourself the freedom to log out without guilt. In the end, consistency isn’t always about staying active every single day; it’s about staying true to your purpose. Let your vacation content reflect who you are—engaged in real life, curious, and open to new ways of thinking. That’s the kind of consistency that resonates with people, whether you post or pause.

Vacation Tips! 🏖️🏝️ We hope if you are traveling in these warm summer months, you get to enjoy and explore. Make the most of these moments, and remember that you don't have to eat and train perfectly every day of your life to make incredible progress. 👉🏼Don't try to be perfect on vacation 👉🏼The memories you make, food you eat, and people you meet will be far more meaningful in the long term than your perfect workout and diet while you travel 👉🏼Get walking: No work obligations means you have many more hours in your day to move. Put them to use. Walking a city/ taking a hike is the ultimate way to see the sights. Aim for 5-8k more steps than your typical day. 👉🏼 Look for small windows to get in high quality protein without the added calories. 👉🏼 If possible, Pack Healthy Snacks: Bringing your own snacks can help you avoid unhealthy temptations during your trip. Pack some fresh fruits, nuts, or granola bars to keep you satisfied between meals. 👉🏼Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water is essential for maintaining good health. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. 👉🏼Portion Control: It's easy to overeat while on vacation, so try to practice portion control. Listen to your body's hunger and fullness cues and avoid eating until you're overly stuffed. 👉🏼Relax and Enjoy: Don't let the stress of making healthy choices ruin your vacation. Remember to relax, enjoy your time away, and focus on the overall experience rather than obsessing over every food choice. Remember, the goal is to make healthier choices without stressing too much. It's important to find a balance and enjoy your vacation while taking care of your well-being.