Vacation mode

One time that has always been difficult for me in the past, especially when I was an undergrad, was vacation time. Christmas, thanksgiving, summer break, etc... it didn't matter what it was, it was always a time that I was more prone to acting out. I don't think I'm alone in this, as I often hear of others having similar issues of acting out on scheduled vacation or while traveling around, I think there are a few general reasons why.

1) I used to enter "vacation mode" - Vacation mode is a state of mind where I decide I'm going to do what I want to do when I want to do it and I'm not going to do things I don't want to do because I'm on a vacation, dang it. That's essentially it. It becomes a period of severe self-indulgence. If I want to sit around and watch tv or play a video game all day, I'll do it. If I don't want to read scriptures or pray, I won't. I'm on vacation! Vacation mode is soooo dangerous because it puts us in that self-indulging frame of mind. This is something I have had to eradicate from my life as much as possible, even to a small degree. Because when I start being selfish in certain things, it inevitably puts me in this dangerous frame of mind. Vacation is the perfect petri dish for self-indulgence.

2) It throws off my routines - There is serious power in routines. Getting up at a certain time, reading scriptures in the morning, only being on the computer at certain times in certain places, going and fulfilling various responsibilities when we need to, eating at the right times, etc. On vacation though, sleep and eating patterns tend to change. Often the daily responsibilities aren't around anymore. When my good routines break, I tend to get into lazy or self-destructive routines.

SO....

I've had my share of vacations over the last little while and have finally in the last couple years began to have success. Whether you have a day or a week or 2 weeks off (like me) this Christmas, may I suggest a few things to help each of us be successful:

1) Keep your rules and routines! I'll do my best to not let my sleep schedule get wonky, I'll read my scriptures each day and say my prayers each day. I'll get out and exercise each day, particularly starting 1/1 since that's when my mile a day 2014 starts! I won't let laziness win. Whenever the thought of "I don't really want to do that today" pops in my head, I'll grit down and do it. Your self-mastery will increase all the more. As far as rules go, I still won't use the internet (aside from email) if noone else is around, and I'll continue to pay attention to negative thoughts and feelings throughout each day and be open with my wife about difficulties I'm having.

2) Avoid self-indulgence! This can be done in a variety of ways. One way is through service. Get out and do something for someone else. Do some housework or yardwork. Organize a room. Bake something and take it to an old couple in the area. Don't eat seconds or thirds of every meal. Don't just sit around. Another way is to avoid things that put you in a self-indulging mode. For me this was video games. During breaks I would find a good video game and just get absorbed into it - this always put me in an acting out mind set and so I have had to stop playing games unless they are those big multiplayer games like mario party with my family.

In short, be in the vacation but not of the vacation. :) Just stay out of vacation mode. I can still relax and have fun with my family without becoming self-indulgent and lazy. That's what I plan on doing this Christmas break, and I pray God will help each of us make the most of it and stay safe.