Itchy Feet

I think I might’ve hit my limit.

As a rule, I’m an introvert who loves quiet, alone time. I can do short bursts of chitchat or even high-energy conversation that makes many people comment about how funny or extroverted I am. Trust me. I’m not. (Fun fact: when you spend a lot of time with your own thoughts, you have abundant opportunities to come up with interesting topics to chat about and zippy one-liners.)

But this whole stay-at-home, not going anywhere—let alone traveling—thing has finally pushed me to the breaking point. I’ve pretty much decided that as soon as I feel safe enough, I’m flying somewhere. Anywhere. Doesn’t matter. Being anywhere but here sounds pretty damn exciting.

Anyone else with me?

Our December family trip went up in smoke . . . or is that germs? We spent a significant amount of time saving up and planning, only for 2020 to fall apart. Trip canceled. Obviously. Looks like December 2021 is still in question. (Thanks, everyone who refuses to stay at home, wear a mask, and/or social distance!)

I know. Complaining about missed travel seems so petty. In the grand scheme of things, it is. In my defense, big family trips are rare for us. We took our last one over five years ago, and now I’m getting itchy feet and want to take everyone on a grand adventure.

The canceled trip also drove home how little time we have as a family, and I’m feeling nostalgic. My “kids” are hardly children anymore. Two out of three are old enough to vote. One will be old enough to drink in a few months. The youngest will be voting age late this year. Soon, everyone will be off to college, starting new jobs, and moving on to the next phase in their lives. Our chances to go on a trip as a family are getting fewer and fewer.

I’ve taken to daydreaming about possible future trips. Browsing through travel photos. I stare at them longingly the way I usually look at donuts and chocolate. I mean, that saved money is still sitting there. (Thank goodness.) It might be time to plan my next big trip, even if it doesn’t happen until much later this year . . . or the next.

Ouch.

In the meantime, I guess long walks and online trolling for travel photos and ideas will have to do. Daydreams are fun, but I hope we can all get out and about—for real—soon, because my next step is to turn each room in my house into a different country, make everyone a “play” passport, and require them to get visas to move freely. I guess each doorway is TSA?

Again, I say ouch.

But seriously, I hope you’re hanging in there. It’s a new year, which—even though I don’t do resolutions—seems to naturally bring some renewed hope and energy. I’m definitely feeling that and trying to make the most of it.

Remember to wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe out there.

And go read a book!