The pressure to have fun
To fill every second of every minute of every idle hour
with purposeful activity
that negates all the stress of past months
The obligation to appreciate
the luxury of time
nature, beauty, food, rest and play.
To soak these myopic eyes
with all the greenery around,
hoping it would heal
weeks of screen-aches.
To fill my lungs with fresh oxygen…
Enough to last till the next vacation
To fill at least two pages of my sketchbook
to make up for days of settled dust on it.
To forcefully shut out
any thought of office
work, routine, chores
and exhale every worry
through deep, mindful breaths
The obligation to fit in at least
one healthy meal
or a twenty minute walk
So I can check off the “health” box.
To skim over every possible experience
Instead of just immersing myself in one.
The obligation to not miss a sunrise
because I miss them at home everyday
But also to catch up on my lost hours of sleep
to rest my overworked brain.
The pressure to really, truly, completely, thoroughly
enjoy every single moment
Yet
not sulk in regret
if it doesn’t happen.
To look nice, yet effortless
To stay off the grid, but ‘update’ and share’
To find that perfect seashell / pine cone / pebble / leaf
The perfect souvenir
To take the perfect selfie
The perfect picture of the
ever-changing yet always perfect
golden sunset
Oh, the pressure to just chill!
…I need time out after my vacation.