Especially as you get older, the concept of a vacation can change dramatically. Early years of freedom can be all about the party. After that, maybe you’re looking for entertainment. After that, maybe deeper experiences, or finding peace of mind in activity or relaxation. The point is, to get the most out of a vacation, you need to brainstorm your intent and purpose before you actually start planning out details. You might be surprised that your ideal vacation in your mind does not match your ideal vacation on paper once you start thinking about logistics and practical matters.

Start With a List

Begin with a list of what makes you happy. It sounds very simply, but it’s a very powerful exercise to get your brainstorm kicked off. Plus, if you’re going with someone else, or perhaps your family, keep this process as an open forum. You may quickly find out that what you thought your family wanted is not what they want at all. How important is it to find this out before you’ve already booked a camping vacation, right? Teenagers can be notoriously picky. And if romance is in the air, it might be good to know what your partner thinks is romantic in the first place. [Read more…]