What Your Vacation Preferences Might Be Telling You

Where I live, it’s spring break. Each year, whether I have a trip planned or not, I find myself dreaming of travel and the trips I'd love to take. 

I love to travel, so it's not surprising that one of my favorite podcasts is Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers. Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers run through a speed round of questions at the end of every episode, including my favorite:

Is your ideal vacation relaxing, adventurous, or educational?

It’s a simple, straightforward question, but I like to think on it because I've gravitated toward each type of trip during different stages of my adult life. 

(Left to right: in Rome at age 30, in New Zealand at age 20, on my friend's dock in Georgia at age 43)

In my twenties, I wanted to see as much of the world as I could. I studied abroad in college, moved to New York City right after graduation, and traveled whenever I had the chance. I liked experiencing new places, people, and ways of thinking. I was building a life and trying to figure out who I was, so it makes sense that I was drawn to adventure and different cultures.

In my thirties, my priorities changed. I was in the next stage of building my career while balancing new parenthood. I was constantly short on time and energy. My idea of a great trip meant a view of the water and finishing a cup of coffee while it was still hot.

Now I wonder if my taste in vacations is shifting again. I want my kids to see different parts of the world, and I want to keep learning alongside them. As a solopreneur, I'm in charge of my own ongoing education.

I think my interest in this question may really be about how the response reflects what we're craving in our lives. Here's what I mean...We talk a lot about listening to what our bodies need, whether it’s craving certain foods or catching up on rest when we’re run down. I wonder if our choices around experiences work the same way.

What if the kind of trip you’re drawn to is telling you something?

• If you’re itching for adventure, maybe you’re feeling stuck or ready for something to change
• If you’re longing for relaxation, maybe you’re spending more time on activities that deplete you rather than energize you
• If you’re craving education, maybe you’re looking for perspective or a sense of growth again

None of these are better than the others. They just reflect where you are and what you need.

So next time you plan a trip or find yourself daydreaming about one, consider what you’re really craving.

What might that say about what you need right now?