6 Gems! vol. 16: escaping (if you're going to get away, then really get away!)

These are the 6 things punching above their suitcase weight. Plus 10 extra notes. And 3 books.

Right, so. I am currently AWAY. On vacation. With my husband’s family. Any other people get this weird feeling, like a sort of vacation-imposter syndrome? It is very alienating for me to be in places where I’m not paying rent/room/mortgage. Random things flying through my head: This is all so beautiful. What did I contribute? Am I being gracious enough? You are seeing me being a mother. Am I doing it wrong? Are you appalled? Also also. Am I part of? I am not part of! I am 53; it’s not camp, I don’t want to do what I don’t want to do. I can’t! Is that ok?

Anyone else? I woke up this morning to a text from my therapist saying I had accidentally called her last night (she thought) but if I needed her she was there. It was an accident. I mean technically. But what an accident! I had to laugh, it was so on the nose. (It was a rough night.)

Here is why clothing, and then even more so, packing, is important. This is the grounding you need to feel like you. Your right things. Your comforts. It’s more important without “home,” which would usually do the grounding for you. I think about my son, at sleep away camp so many years ago, with his supremely tidy bunk and his little things all lined up. I was like “I never thought of him as this neat!” And he wasn’t. It was a protective measure, control. We are alike in ways I didn’t realize, we two.

I’m past the halfway point of this trip. So I want to dedicate this 6 Gems to what’s worked to make actual escape possible. Allowing you to really let go. At least most of the days.