Earlier this summer my family took a nice, long vacation. It was a mixture of old friends, family, and some sightseeing. It was not relaxing but it was enjoyable.
Tonight, however, marks three weeks since we returned home. Until this point I/we have done very little follow-up on our trip. Some of us have downloaded our pictures, but none of us have named them. Some of us have written thank-you notes, but none have been mailed. We have not reviewed our trip by looking at each other’s photos, nor have we sent photos off to friends as we promised. I have not written any reflections on the trip here or elsewhere. On the phone, I probably told my mom that we had fun and where we went. But that’s about it.
My question is, without such post-trip reflection, was the trip wasted? Memories fade quickly, and without the interaction and reflection and photo-viewing, it seems to me that the “reality” is not as strong as it would have been. I can’t say that the trip was a complete waste, but there must be a percentage of “loss” because of the post-trip failures. Was the trip only 50% worthwhile?
Obviously, there is no benefit in trying to quantify it. But it may be helpful to recognize that what happens after the trip may contribute to the trip’s enjoyment, value, and enduring memory. Of course, this is true for pre-trip preparation as well. I remember as a kid nearly as much the anticipation and planning for our six-week drive to/from Alaska as I do of the trip itself.
I feel that I fail on both ends. Part of it is the thought that the vacation is the vacation. By taking that time off, I’m taking off all I’ve got. Before I go, I have to scramble to get everything (else) done. When I get back, the hole takes a long time to climb out of.
I suppose one solution would be to take the total amount of time possible for the trip and subtract pre- and post-trip time necessary to maximize the value of the trip. Then take the shortened trip in the middle of one’s “vacation days.” Yet it just seems like such a waste to sit at home on vacation.
I don’t know what the answer is. I don’t think it’s in writing posts like this one. In the time I spent, I could have written a thank-you note and labeled several dozen photos.
The Bean, Chicago
I know what you mean, but don’t have the answer. I love the photo though :).
Hey Todd,
I really appreciate your sincere thoughts on this post. Thinking back some years, I too remember how excited I would become just thinking about an upcoming trip with my family. Then there was the sorrow of it all ending and life returning to normal. Maybe the reflection will be most meaningful when your grown children all get together and share about their summer trips. Pictures will be shown again and memories will be rekindled. As a young child, I can distinctly remember my mom’s siblings laughing about their childhood days while cousins played made up games. As an little observer, I thought it was all pretty special.