Have you seen that meme or heard that saying "Eat the cake, buy the shoes, take the trip"? That's exactly what I did this past week.
About eight weeks ago I received a text from a good friend. She invited me on her work incentive trip as her husband was staying home with the kids. Her text was something like, "Want to go on a cruise in November as my plus one?"
It took me all of 46 seconds to write back a resounding "YES."
This past week we spent five days on the second largest cruise ship in the U.S. traveling to Cozumel and back.
And I can confirm, we ate the cake. Each night for dinner, we opted for FOUR desserts. You know, to try the different options.
We also drank the drinks. Warmed in the sun. Laughed like kids. Talked til the early morning hours. Danced the dances. Sang the songs and had a fabulous few days together.
Saying yes to this trip was a major milestone for my growth this past year. Pre-coaching program Kelly would not have even entertained the thought. She would have been flattered to be asked but would not allow herself to even consider that many days out of the office, especially without the family.
Pre-coaching Kelly would have fretted over even saying no to the invitation. Fearing hurting my friends' feelings while at the same time agonizing that I was passing up an awesome opportunity and rationalizing why I deserved to go.
But I said yes. I enjoyed it to the fullest. My kids and husband were happy for me to go. I handled the work I could before I left.
I was where my feet were. I breathed the air. I ate the food. I felt the sun. My heart
and my head were right there with my beautiful friend enjoying our time together.
And when I re-entered real life? I took a breath too. I put the work to be done into perspective. I held on to the wonderful memories of the trip. I slowly eased back into the routine giving myself a day to reacclimatize.
I coached myself that all my to-dos would get done, in time. That over-activating my stress immediately upon coming home would negate the zen I achieved on the ship. Just because my feet were back home, I didn't have to assume all the home responsibilities right then and there.
I reminded myself, that I could choose and prioritize what was worth my time and energy to focus on. I could choose to maintain my great trip feeling and allow my body and mind to settle into those memories and transition to real life as needed.
I worked on my outward reaction to the house and the state of affairs when I returned. The kids and my husband had been doing just fine. They missed me sure, but dinners were had, homework was complete, laundry was suitable, and everyone was alright.
Life is short: Eat the cake, buy the shoes, take the trip.