Have you ever had good intentions turn out bad? That’s exactly what happened with our family vacation this past summer.
I had planned a two-week road trip for my family starting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and ending in Lake Okoboji, Iowa. I was so excited for uninterrupted family time, making memories on the road together. But let me tell you, our trip did not start out on the right foot.
The vacation rental I had booked was dirty and disappointing. The “second bedroom” that was supposed to have bunk beds was really just a closet with a bunk bed shoved in it. I had also booked a photographer for family photos on the beach, but the day of our session the wind was so wild you could hardly see our faces through all the blowing hair. To top it off, my kids were complaining, the bickering began, and I found myself thinking, ¨What have I done? Was this a bad idea? Are we even going to survive two weeks together?¨
On top of it all, I struggled with guilt for taking time away from my business. I had never felt that way before, and it surprised me. I kept questioning if I had done the right thing.
But then… things turned around.
We cut our time short in Myrtle Beach and headed to our next destination. And that’s when the magic started. From Pigeon Forge to Nashville, to Lake Okoboji, and even Mall of America in Minnesota, our trip unfolded beautifully. We saw incredible places, shared unforgettable experiences, and made countless memories together. One of the highlights for me was visiting the home my grandparents once lived in at Lake Okoboji. Another was stopping by to see my wonderful clients-turned-friends, Randy and Judy, at their farm in Iowa.
And yes, we went ziplining in Pigeon Forge! I almost didn’t book it because of the cost, but a friend told me something that stuck, “You can make more money, but you can’t make more memories.” He was right. That ziplining adventure is now one of the stories we’ll talk about as a family for years to come.
In the end, what started as a rocky trip turned into one of our best family vacations yet. And along the way, I learned some valuable lessons:
Lessons Learned on Vacation
- Take the vacation. Life is short, and time with your family is priceless.
- Book the photo shoot. Even if the pictures aren’t perfect, the memories will be. Ours weren’t glamorous, but they give us plenty to laugh about now!
- Be flexible. When things don’t go as planned, plan B might just turn out better than plan A.
- Just do it. Don’t overthink it. You can always make more money, but you can’t make more memories.
Taking time away wasn’t easy for me, but I was reminded of something important: I have an incredible team who steps up when I’m gone. I had saved and prepared for this trip, and most importantly, I needed it. Time away allows us to reset, recharge, and come back even better for those around us.
So if you’ve been putting off that trip, that project, or that memory you’ve been wanting to make, here’s your reminder to just do it.
Love and blessings,
Janine