Vacation Makes Me Happy

So I read an interesting article recently on A Cup of Jo about vacations and happiness. The New York Times reported in a Dutch study that people find the most happiness in the days leading up to their vacations. The study concluded that the act of planning the vacation creates the most happiness, exceeding even the happiness reported during the vacation and far exceding happiness after the vacation. I found this interesting because it truly relates to how I feel about vacations.

I love planning a trip and feel so excited in the days leading up to it. By far, my favorite day of vacations is first day, the travel day, the day you have everything to look forward to. Then, on the second day of my trip, I feel sad because it's one less day that I have to spend on vaca. It's such a weird feeling. Does anyone else feel like this? That once you begin your much anticpated vaca, you're not as excited anymore, because it's already started?

So in honor of this article and taking full advantage of my pre-vacation happinness, I am sharing with you eight things that I am excited about in my upcoming trip to St. Thomas.

1. I cannot wait to be tan! Is it said that that is first up on my list? I just feel so much better about myself with a tanned glow. I feel healthier, skinnier, more toned and prettier. I know do know it's terrible for you so I will be wearing LOTS of coconut oil and sunscreen. Don't be mad at me. I know it's bad. It's just once a year though...

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2. I can't wait to explore. One of my most favorite things about traveling is exploring new places, meeting new people and making lifelong memories. I can't wait to see what the Virgin Islands have to offer. Hiking, swimming, snorkeling, shopping and eating! It's going to be a blast!

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3. I can't wait to eat! I love eating my way through new places and I can't wait to try local foods, perticulary fresh fish! The bf plans on fishing while we are there, so I am really excited to cook what he catches in our private kitchen, in the private home, located on our private beach that we are staying at. Boomshakalaka.

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4. I am excited to spend time with family. Although we are taking this trip with the bf's fam and not mine, I am still really looking forward to spending time with them. It's always wonderful getting to know people better, and I believe travel brings people together more than most things in life. We are going to have so much fun.

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5. I can't wait to relax. I love reading and laying out relaxed on a pool chair. There is something so fulfilling about finishing 3 books in one trip, all the while with a Mai Thai in your hand. Yes.

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6. I can't wait to take pictures. Photos equal memories to me, and I can't wait to capture as much as I can via my iphone, then share them with you! :)

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7. I'm excited to wear summer clothes. With average highs in the mid 80s, I can't wait to wear shorts, dresses and skirts the whole time I'm there.

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8. I can't wait to take this trip with the boyfriend. This will be our first trip together to somewhere besides our family homes. Traveling is so fun with the person you love and I can't wait. (Hopefully we'll find some alone time too).

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 P.S. I hope you didn't find this post too boring. I know it's kind of unrelatable, unless you are going on a trip soon too. So, because I love you, and I never want you to be bored with my blog, here are some fun travel posts by my favorite, A Cup of Jo:
*A genius tip on packing for a trip
*The 5 best shoes for traveling
*Taking vacations by yourself