Posts Tagged ‘plans’
Rethink Vacationing and Envision a Staycation
By: Destiny Johnson
Since the pandemic began opportunities for travel have decreased. There have been many rescheduled or postponed vacations with individuals hoping for the end of COVID – 19. Many travel bans, restricted booking, and vaccine mandates resulted in many canceled flights, cruises, and vacations. The devastating effects of COVID-19 and all its variations I’m sure has many individuals wondering when traveling and vacationing will be able to happen.
Now that the pandemic has lasted longer than anticipated, should we rethink vacationing while the world is still influx?
Vacationing for many is a significant part of their lifestyle; a way to destress and re-center, while experiencing culture. Many view vacationing as a much-needed escape to relax. During the pandemic the need to get away or have an outlet to experience something new and entertaining is critical to people’s mental wellbeing
However, the challenges for vacationing are still felt and for many the options for vacationing have dwindled. Taking a vacation shouldn’t be a luxury or unattainable goal but a right to joy. A right to find clarity, find stillness, and to explore. Vacationing is a life changing experience and can be recalibrated.
How can we re-think vacations and travel?
What if I provided an option for vacation that allowed you to not travel far but was full of new possibilities and experiences. You can do this by creating vacations and getaways that are only a few miles away. Local vacationing can ease some concerns related to COVID-19, reduce restrictions toward travel, provide an unexpected escape that is affordable and most of all fun. This concept is called taking a “Staycation”.
What is a staycation? A staycation is a local gateway or tourism site that is near your residence. Staycations are an alternative to a traditional vacation that is still fun-filled, free of expensive travel fees, and can eliminate the hassle that comes with flying.
Types of Staycations
Overnight Stays– a vacation spent near an individual’s local home rather than abroad. That lasts overnight or a few days.
Day Trips – involves time being spent in one’s hometown or a few miles away. (The next city or an hour or two away) The day is filled with local attractions or activities that only require a few hours of travel to experience a day elsewhere and a fast return home.
What are the benefits of a Staycation?
· Contactless travel options to increase safety. For example, using your own car can help reduce exposure of COVID – 19
· Local travel means you reduce expenses and save more
· May decrease travel time to destinations by attending local attraction
· Ease of travel increases because you avoid airports, baggage claims etc.
· Ability to help support local and community businesses
· Explore new things that are relatively close to your neighborhood
What will you find in your local staycation pursuit?
Happy Staycation!!!
Dealing with Loss of plans or dreams
Posted by: admin
July 20th, 2021 >> achieve, Career, goal setting, productivity
By: Destiny Johnson – Career Counselor at Avedian Counseling Center
As humans, we tend to be drawn to achievement and progress. We set goals and seek ways to fulfill them. Accomplishments give us all a sense of pride and confidence. When we can dream and achieve, it creates positivity and hope for the future. Think of a goal that you worked hard for and finally saw it come to fruition. How did you feel? Empowered or inspired? However, what occurs when a dream or plan is lost or not realized? Disappointment or discouragement?
If achievement is the vehicle used to create purpose and self-worth then the loss of achievement can impact many individuals negatively. Feelings of sadness, disappointment, and discouragement are emotions that arise when dreams aren’t accomplished. Some dreams are lost due to unplanned circumstances outside of our control while others are a conscious decision. Some dreams are snatched or not accomplished due to injury, anxiety, new responsibilities, death of a loved one, poverty, discrimination, age, lack of preparation, illness, or low skill development.
Let’s review some scenarios :
A track athlete has trained all year long for the chance to win a medal during an important track meet. The athlete has spent hours exercising, running drills, working on breath control and form. They have adapted their lifestyle to accommodate where they want to be health-wise. Then the date of the meet arrives, they complete a routine warm-up and off they go running in the race of a lifetime. They pivot wrong and instantly the knee begins to buckle and the pain causes the athlete to fall behind and just like that the dream of the medal drifts away…..
Or
A little girl dreams of her wedding day. She is wearing a beautiful dress and envisions her father giving her away. Fast forward to the end of high school and her father becomes ill, and within a year he passes away. The young lady now works through her grief slowly. Now she is done with college and meets a special person and after two years of dating, she gets a proposal. She is excited and joyful. As she prepares to marry her partner, she is overwhelmed with sadness realizing her father will not be there to walk her down the aisle.
Regardless, of the scenario, the loss of a plan or a dream can be difficult to experience and even harder to accept. The losses can be incredibly hard to understand, cope, and can come in waves of disappointment. I am sure some have heard the five stages of grief. However, grief can occur and pops up without notice during milestones, anniversaries, or important events.
How can we address the loss of dreams when they occur? Questions to help you address loss:
What can be learned when plans and dreams are lost?
What can be learned about ourselves when plans or dreams aren’t accomplished?
How can you reframe your story?
What resources can you use when navigating the loss of plans and dreams?
Do you need to talk with someone about your loss of dreams?
Additionally, here are some strategies:
- Permit yourself to grieve. It is normal to be disappointed and sad when dreams do not match reality. Sadness is a signal that we should not ignore but understand and is a natural reaction. You are allowed to not feel or be ” okay” and to process the pain of what was lost. Identify your hurt and what it means to move forward healthily.
- Identify the accomplishments that have occurred to remind you of the progress that has already taken place. You have a right to review your wins and applaud yourself. Look for the good in your life.
- Recalibrate and get organized to figure out what the next best steps are for you. Seek out helpful resources to help with overcoming grief and actively work to avoid getting stuck.
- Reframe your experiences that are negative to see a new positive outcome. Reframing is critical to overcoming the grieving process and losses.
