Giving It To You Straight: Maui Vacation

Photo courtesy: Jim Munnelly

While relaxing on a secluded beach in Maui with my daughters, Jade and Lily, I recognized just how important it was for me to take time off on a regular basis.

For weeks leading up to the vacation, I had mixed feelings about spending the money in such unstable economic times when everything seemed to be at a standstill. After shortening the vacation, I continued to question whether taking time to relax was an extravagance I should postpone. Looking forward to the time away, I still felt uneasy as the plane took off.

It didn’t take me long to appreciate just how important the break in routine was. Not only was it a great opportunity for us to spend time together as a family, it helped me see things in a different light and gain a new perspective on all I had been doing and thinking. The restful holiday allowed me to unwind and reconnect with myself, easing the way back to feeling my best.

I think it is undeniable that we often lose sight of the big picture. We’re inclined to change our priorities, but in the daily grind, it is difficult to identify the transition.

For the most part, I’ve trained myself to forget about my work when I am away, doing my best to shut out as much as possible. However, one of the burdens of being an Internet junkie is that I am always available, even when I’m on vacation. Because I run my own business, I feel it’s my responsibility to stay connected to my clients when I am out of town in case a time sensitive problem occurs. While I feel it is necessary for me to be reachable, I don’t allow myself to become enslaved by my commitments. After all, we all need a break!

I’ve also come to realize that because I am working for myself, there is the problem of knowing when I should take time off. When the office is literally your home, you have that uncontrollable urge to work continuously. It’s so easy to get caught up in the grueling routine, making it almost impossible to decide on a time to go on vacation.

However, watching a breathtaking Maui sunset puts it all in perspective. Taking a break and relaxing is hard to do, but definitely necessary. Without it, I could easily burn myself out and begin to despise what I once enjoyed.

That said, there’s no time better than the present to make my reservations for next summer.

Lisa Martin owns Martin-McLean Literary Associates LLC. She represents established authors as well as new writers.