When you go on vacation, it can be tough to keep up your normal routines.

We recently went to Charleston, SC to stay with friends. It was an almost complete biz unplug for me, which I haven’t done in a loooooong time.

I stayed on track.

Sort of.

I say sort of because this isn’t your average Stay on Track with Your Diet and Exercise™ post, because I think that vacations are for going a little off the rails.

Off road.

Off plan.

But, you can still keep track of some things.

How many times you spit-take (beware salty language in that link). I can’t track my spit-takes…I lost count.

How many times your hubby whacked you in the head with a kayak paddle. (Only once, and it was just barely.)

How many new beers you bought/tried. (It was for the whole week, I swear.)

So, how do you stay on track?

Here’s three easy ways.

First, you decide what you mean by stay on track.

I had every intention of trying new beers (negating my recent gluten free experiment) and eating food I enjoyed (also not gluten-free). I knew I would be staying up late to go to shows, and getting up early to explore, so I would be drinking coffee (which I’ve done less of lately.)
I also knew that my morning routine would take a hit. So, I planned for it. I let things slide a bit, but not so far that I was causing massive damage to myself.
I wanted to feel good. Doing things that make you feel good is a big part of my to-do list, so I wasn’t about to beat myself up for it. Enjoying the shit outta our trip was important, so we made concessions.

Make a list.

Take your planner, write out all the things you want to do (this can be a group activity). Pick the one you want to do most. Do it. Cross it off. Pick the one you want to do next. Do it. Just go as far through the list as you like.

Take carriage tours. Pat an ass (no, really.)

Kayak.

Hug a really old tree.

Swim.

Play with furbabies.

Eat good food.

Laugh really hard.

Meditate. (I found myself in meditative states just being on the beach. The waves lulled me in.)

My list wasn’t long. I trusted my friends, and they planned an incredible visit for us.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

If your morning routine goes a little off kilter, that’s okay. Try again tomorrow. If you didn’t get to do all the things on your list…okay then. Next time. No next time? Ok then. You have permission to do it all, do some of it, do none of it. It’s yours. The only thing we can truly control is how we react to situations we are in.

Side note: Vacation can be exhausting. Why add to that? If the thought of bringing your planner puts a pit in your stomach, leave the dang thing at home.

Go off the plan.

Enjoy yourself. Make that your plan.

Your path.

You’ll be right on track.