Tomorrow I will be jetsetting off to Mexico sans child – a first in 19 months of motherhood. I’m excited to let go of the responsibilities of life for a few days and enjoy some much needed R&R with the girls, but I have to admit, it’s also a little heart-wrenching! I’ve never spent a night away from my kid, let alone an entire weekend. My arms will be aching to snuggle him to sleep, and mornings will feel empty without waking up to his cries and cute conversations, but Dear Lord, the thought of sleeping in….!
With this upcoming travel, and a few more planned trips throughout the Summer, I’ve been thinking a lot about the experiences and beautiful memories gained through travel vs. my homebody tendencies to splurge on the home. Unfortunately, most people – myself included – don’t have the financial ability for both. So one tends to trump the other and for me, that tends to be the home. When it comes down to it, coming home every day to a warm and inviting environment means more to me than a brief stint in a warm and inviting environment.
But lately, I can feel my tendencies shifting. Maybe it’s motherhood – I want my child to be able to experience the world and feel inspired by its cultures. Or maybe I’ve just been TOO much of a homebody over the years and my body is now craving a shock to the system! Whatever it is, I find myself wanting a little less for the home and a little more for the soul (minimal design, maximum travel!).
I think there is a point in which a home just has too much stuff anyhow. Don’t get me wrong, I have a whole portion of my brain dedicated to all the stuff that I want! But there is nothing I really need and in my old age (of 33!), I’m realizing more and more that family and friends and a bit of fun is more important than any stuff that I have or want. Sometimes I have to convince my brain of this, of course. Like I said, there is a lot of stuff that I want! And browsing through all the amazingly beautiful blogs and home tours and product shout-outs out there really make me want to empty my wallet. IMMEDIATELY. But I don’t. Or try not to to the best of my ability, because traveling really can enrich the soul so much more than any tangible product or beautiful home can. You (and I) just have to curtail that little green monster sometimes…
So for the remaining Summer, I give myself – and you – a challenge: other than the projects that you may already have in the works, give yourself a break. Embrace minimal design, curb your spending, and maximize your travel budget.
Do you have the soul of a jetsetter or a homebody? How do you plan to save and what places would you like to travel to?
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