Vacation State of Mind

Summary

A couple shares their experience of moving from the Pacific Northwest to Florida, noting that while they're not perpetually in vacation mode, the environment around them constantly offers opportunities for relaxation.

Abstract

The authors of the article have transitioned from a cold and wet climate in the Pacific Northwest to the warmer and more inviting environment of western Florida. They observe that although they don't feel like they're on vacation every day, the proximity to beaches and the ability to enjoy open windows for much of the year contributes to a vacation-like state of mind. They highlight the contrast between their new and old homes, emphasizing the seasonal changes and temperature variations they've encountered in Florida, which are more comfortable compared to their previous experiences. The shift in lifestyle has allowed them to replace the anticipation of an annual vacation to escape the cold with the more frequent enjoyment of local amenities that evoke a sense of relaxation and contentment.

Opinions

The authors do not feel as though they are on vacation all the time in their new home.
They appreciate the relaxation triggers present in their new environment.
The climate in western Florida is not perpetually hot and humid; it experiences defined seasonal changes.
The authors value the "open window" days before needing air conditioning, contrasting with their past need to escape the cold.
The ability to quickly transition into a vacation mindset without the need for long travel is satisfying to them.

Vacation State of Mind

Couple on a beach, Depositphotos

When you live in a vacation state are those vacation-type feelings there all the time?

We moved from the gray, wet Pacific Northwest to the warm, balmy shores of western Florida. We’re not in vacation mode all the time, but those relaxation triggers are all around us.

In reality, it’s not hot and humid all the time.

There are defined changes of seasons and there are ranges of comfortable to sweltering, even here.

We used to pay big bucks to enjoy 7–10 days of not feeling cold, wet, and pessimistic. Now that’s an afterthought, and we focus on how many “open window” days we’ll get before needing to turn on the a/c.

No, it doesn’t feel like we’re on vacation all the time, but it’s satisfying when the shift to vacation mindset is only minutes away instead of a plane trip away.