Stop Running Away: The Real Work Begins When the Vacation Ends
How many times have you told yourself, "I just need a vacation"? It's a go-to line for many of us dealing with life's stress and challenges. I’ve heard it from my clients for years. But being completely honest—a vacation isn’t a magic fix, and we both know it, right?
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great escape and we all need to take some time off every once in a while, but what about the issues you leave behind when the motivation is trying to escape? They’ll still be there when you get back!
While vacations are awesome for a short-term break –and maybe a sexy tan– they're not solving the underlying problems that made you run away in the first place. It’s easy to blame others when things don’t change after you come back. "I took time off, I relaxed, so it’s not my fault things are still bad." Well, I hate to break it to you but, even if the initial situation that was stressing you out was not necessarily your responsibility, the aftermath after avoiding it will be. It’s actually up to everyone involved to do the hard work of addressing the root causes before it becomes an unmanageable nightmare.
Instead of running away, let's face things head-on. It might mean awkward conversations, dealing with anger or frustration, maybe even some tears. But this is how we grow and find real solutions like real, very aware and responsible adults. Avoiding problems only leads to a never-ending cycle of stress and escape and that's exhausting.
Let's ditch the survival mode strategy. Stop numbing out with temporary fixes. Aim for long-term happiness by facing your issues. Work through the resentment, anger, blame, guilt, and shame. Process it, release it, and move forward. That’s how you achieve lasting change.
You’re probably asking yourself, “But Kim, how do I do that?”
Let me help you! I made a quick list of tips to help you put on your big person pants, address the issue and overcome the urge to escape from your problems:
Identify Triggers: Understand what specific situations or emotions prompt you to want to flee. Don’t wait until they’re too big to handle!
Face the Issue Head-On: Have the necessary conversations, even if they’re uncomfortable. Address the root cause with responsibility and the will to solve the situation. This is not a blame game, don’t start pointing fingers without giving solutions.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear limits with yourself and others to manage stress. This is not about becoming rude or unapproachable, it’s about being assertive.
Seek Support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist for guidance and support. Two heads think better than one; just make sure both are oriented toward finding solutions and not deepening the issue.
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness or meditation to stay present and manage stress in the moment. Breathwork is a great option too!
Create a Plan: Develop a step-by-step plan to tackle the problem if you need to. Break it down into manageable, realistic tasks.
Take Responsibility: Acknowledge your role in the situation and focus on what you can control. Yes, you have a role here too, even if you don’t want to admit it.
Self-Care: Ensure you're taking care of your mental and physical health through regular, daily and mundane self-care practices. Don’t wait for a vacation to finally give yourself some time and attention.
Remember that this journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time for yourself, because real healing and growth take effort. It might be hard, but it’s totally worth it.
I’m Kim Keane, coach and energy healer, and I’d love to help you transform your life, your relationships and ultimately build a path toward a loving, peaceful life. DM me or email me at kim@kimkeane.com if you want to get personalized support, download my Free Everyday Spirituality Handbook or get my EFT Tapping Booster Session to continue making progress on your healing journey!