Have you ever noticed that your suitcase isn’t the only thing that changes when you head to the airport? There’s a secret version of you waiting at the destination—and you’re usually a lot more fun than the “Monday Morning” version of yourself.
I recently watched the movie “People We Meet on Vacation” (based on the hit Emily Henry novel), and it struck a chord I wasn’t expecting. The story follows two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who reunite every summer for a decade to travel. What makes the story so magical isn’t just the destinations like Tuscany or Palm Springs; it’s the concept of “Vacation Alex” and “Vacation Poppy.”
Away from their “real lives,” they get to be different versions of themselves. Alex sheds his rigid routine, and Poppy finds a sense of peace she can’t find in the city. It made me wonder:
The 48-Hour Unwind
I’ll be the first to admit—I am a devotee of the “hustle.” I’m accustomed to working 10+ hours a day, seven days a week. When you’re that wired into your business and your to-do list, you don’t just “switch off” the moment you start your vacation.
For me, it usually takes about 48 to 72 hours to truly unwind. Those first two days are a mental tug-of-war between my “Work Persona” and my “Vacation Persona.” But once that tension snaps? Everything changes.
“Mama, You’re Actually Fun!”
My teenager, Megan, is the first to point out the shift. She loves it when we go on vacation because, in her words, I’m just more fun.
When the 70-hour work week is replaced by a slow breakfast in a European square or a technical hike on a Hawaiian ridge, the “Micro-Managing Mom” disappears. In her place is a woman who laughs more, worries less, and is actually present in the moment. I stop looking at the clock and start looking at the scenery. I stop checking emails and start checking in with my family.
The Persona Shift
In the movie, Poppy and Alex use their travels to grow and evolve. Travel acts as a mirror—it shows us who we are when we aren’t defined by our jobs, our errands, or our stress.
At Dawn2Dusk Adventures, I see this every day. I help clients plan trips not just to “see things,” but to be someone else for a while. Whether you need to be the “Adventurer” who tackles a mountain or the “Hedonist” who indulges in a five-course tasting menu, travel gives you permission to shed your skin.
Are you the same person every time you pack your bags, or do you take on a different persona?
- Are you the “Bookworm” who finally finishes that novel?
- Are you the “Explorer” who talks to every local in the market?
- Or are you like me—the “Workaholic” who finally remembers how to laugh once the Wi-Fi signal fades?
Tell me in the comments: Who is the “Vacation Version” of you? I’d love to hear about the person you become when you finally let yourself relax!