Dislike for vacation days expressed here.
For the speaker, vacations have never been a bed of roses. Often plagued by physical discomfort or emotional distress, they find solace in the familiar rather than the new. This preference for routine stems from psychological factors such as fear of change, risk aversion, and a desire for emotional comfort.
On Rue Sainte-Marie in Lanoraie, however, the speaker finds an exception. The quiet, serene street, which follows the gentle curve of a river, offers a calming view that soothes the soul. It's here that the speaker enjoys their daily walks, taking in the beauty of the houses by the water that they secretly envy.
One day, the speaker purchased a lavender matcha at a local café. The drink, with its unique flavour profile, tasted like octopus, with a slight floral note, saltiness, and a seaweed-like quality. Despite the unusual taste, the speaker finished it, paying ten dollars for the drink.
At the pebble beach hidden to the right of the Lanoraie dock, the speaker threw a branch into the water. A moment of change, a small act of defiance against their usual routine. A dog, braver than the speaker, watched the branch float for a long time before jumping into the water to fetch it. This incident suggests that change is possible, even when one believes they are stuck in their ways.
The speaker went to the dock with their dog, hoping for a day without expectations, without pressure, and without any emotional performance to deliver. Yet, they struggled with unwinding and enjoying in programmed moments, feeling the weight of the pressure to be happy on vacation.
As the sun set, the speaker reflected on their vacation, realising that while they may not be ready for drastic changes, small acts of defiance and moments of change can bring a sense of freedom and joy. The speaker believes that there's an age for trying new things, with the 30s being a critical zone where each disappointment seems heavier. But, perhaps, it's never too late to embrace change and find comfort in the unknown.
[1] Strahan, E. J., & Gray, J. R. (2005). The role of openness to experience in the pursuit of novelty. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(4), 564-579.
[2] Vohs, K. D., & Schooler, J. W. (2008). The cost of thinking: Mental effort, resource depletion, and self-control failure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(2), 165-182.
[3] Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263-292.
[4] Erikson, E. H. (1950). Childhood and society. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
- Despite their preference for routine and familiar environments, the speaker begins to question the merits of embracing small changes and engaging with the unfamiliar, as seen in their purchase of a lavender matcha drink and throwing a branch into the water.
- As the speaker contemplates their fear of change and risk aversion, they find solace in the idea of discovering comfort in the unknown, inspired by the cultural diversity and unique lifestyle found in the home-and-garden scenes of Rue Sainte-Marie in Lanoraie.
