Last week I discovered a project I’m involved with will be delayed. It’s something to do with Communications’ equipment. Or similar.
The month delay means it is due to finish just days before I’m due to leave on my overseas holiday. You will recall the 4.5wk jaunt to England (for 1.5wks) then Italy for 2.5wks.
Naturally I started stressing about the irresponsibility of heading off at such a time, so… yesterday I finally decided I should do the grown-up thing and change my holiday plans.
Sigh.
My work contract is also up in early October so it seemed prudent to – not only delay my departure – but also cut back on my overall time overseas.
I’d tossed the idea around in my little mind for days.
What if this is the last overseas holiday I have? My one and only chance to get to England or the UK?
Italy’s long been a dream destination and I pulled the pin on a planned visit there back in 2000 (to spend 3wks at a health retreat here in Australia instead!)
I’ve already paid for my writing retreat and am VERY much looking forward to that.
Hence the decision to still go – of course – but rather than skimp time-wise, I’ve cut out the England ‘leg’ of the trip entirely.
It gives me over 2 extra weeks here to see the project to completion (I bloody hope) and almost a week either side of my writing retreat.
As soon as I made the decision it felt as if a weight had lifted from my shoulders. (Of course I’m in denial about the money it cost me to change flights and so forth!) Plus I’m doing ONE country instead of TWO for the same travel cost (or a bit more). It’s a reminder that – for us, coming from Australia – travel throughout Europe is the least of our expenses. Just getting across the ocean (or two?) is the killer.
Source: @stfrock on Instagram
That aside, I now need to rethink my travels but am pretty much going to stick with my planned destinations in Italy: Rome (obvs); Cinque Terra; Venice; Sorrento; and Florence.
So, while I am slightly disappointed, I’ve still got a great trip to look forward to!
Have you had to cancel a planned holiday or change plans at the (almost) last minute?
The Lovin’ Life team includes:
June 21, 2018
Wow, given you are changing your plans for the benefit of your employer did you ask them to cover some of your costs in changing flights etc.?
June 21, 2018
No, it’s government so I wouldn’t do that. And they haven’t asked me to change my holiday. I just felt like I should. (My leave had already been approved though.)
I’m actually due to finish up in the role the week after I get back from o/s but couldn’t – in all good conscience – do what I could to be here as long as possible after almost a year on the project.
It’s okay… I’ve done worse for jobs (cancelled hols completely in the past etc), I think I’m just relieved that I’ve made the call as I was more stressed (guilty) about the idea of still leaving as planned.
June 21, 2018
Man it’s a drag going the adulting thing…Italy will still be fantabulous though…
June 23, 2018
I know….. Need to lock in some plans now!
June 21, 2018
I sensed quite a relief there and I like that perhaps now that issue of work has been taken into consideration it may also help with future employment. I am a believer in the signs we may get but perhaps do not act on unless it becomes apparent and now the idea that you were not being adult in booking aspects of the holiday has worked out. You want to do the right thing and I commend you for seeing the project through as best as you can. Denyse x
June 23, 2018
I feel a HUGE sense of relief Denyse. I would have felt guilty otherwise and it was starting to play on my mind. This way I’ve done what I can responsibility-wise, without completely ruining my own plans.
June 21, 2018
Very grown up Deb and very considerate. I hope your employers are truly thankful. At the end of the day though, peace of mind is important, and with flights to Europe at an all time low, let’s hope they stay that way and you can perhaps get over again sooner rather than later to see and experience more.
June 23, 2018
I haven’t really told my boss Jo, but will need to adjust my ‘leave’ requests. And yes, perhaps I’ll get over there again at some point.
June 21, 2018
Italy will be amazing all the same. Your considerate decision will be played forward. Only time will tell what positive outcome it will be.
SSG xxx
June 23, 2018
I’d like to think so but either way my own conscience feels better about it all and that’s all I can control I guess. And yes, I’m looking forward to Italy!!!
June 21, 2018
Italy will be amazing!! It just means you have to go again to Europe next year ! (Well funds and life permitting)
June 23, 2018
Ah yes…. funds permitting it’d be good to get there. I seem to be over the travel antipathy I suffered for a decade or so after returning to live in Oz.
June 21, 2018
I hope your employers appreciate what you’ve done. That’s a big thing and I’m not sure I’d have done it. It’s a shame you’ve missed out on England but I would say that 🙂
June 23, 2018
I’ll try to plan to go back there. It’s funny as I’d just read a book featuring some English locations and it’d gotten me enthused so almost ironic it’s been shelved. Perhaps I’ll eventually plan a ‘book’ tour and visit places I’ve enjoyed in recent novels!
June 22, 2018
Our first ever overseas trip, leaving the five kids at home, mainly for me to run the London Marathon – Iceland volcano happened and our flights were cancelled, whole trip ended up cancelled. Totally out of our control, so no hard decisions needed, but extremely gut wrenching at the time. On the upside, we went a year later, and in a lot of ways it turned out better – as usually happens, but at the time that is sooooo hard to see. You’ll have an amazing time and feel so much more relaxed knowing everything is under control!
June 23, 2018
I would have felt really resentful had I cancelled Italy and Vanessa’s writing retreat but thankfully I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t go THAT far for work… I’m also better if something is taken out of my control – I hate having to be the one to make the (disappointing) call, but am very relieved now I have.
June 22, 2018
What a tough decision Deb and what a shame to have to change your travel plans. Personally I would rather stick with the trip and screw work but I also know that’s not how real life works 🙁 . Still Italy will be AH-MAZING!!!
June 23, 2018
Yes Italy will be great and it means I’m probably a little more focussed on needing to book and plan that trip now.
June 22, 2018
That was a tough decision! Glad you feel good about it. I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason. You may not know exactly what that bigger picture reason is yet, but I’m sure it will present itself.
I love that instagram quote. Hilarious!
#teamlovinlife
June 23, 2018
I’d seen the quote on Instagram a day or two earlier and saved it. And then when I was changing my flights had to laugh that it cost more in fact NOT to have a stopover in London etc… $2000 to get there and back but very minimal costs to add extra trips in!
June 23, 2018
The Canadian response would be similar to the Australian in that Instagram quote, for the Province of Ontario 🙂
The cities you’re visiting in Italy are Fabulous. Happy travel planning!
June 23, 2018
Thanks. It’s surreal to think how much of the travel cost is just getting to the northern hemisphere!
June 24, 2018
Your Italian trip sounds awesome. I would love to go back to Italy someday.
stopping by from Lovin’Life
June 25, 2018
This will be my first time Suzy and it’s been one of the only places I’ve wanted to go….
June 24, 2018
WOW I am not sure I could do that. In saying that, when you make a decision of such importance – it is very powerful. I teach stress as the difference between what is REAL and what you want to be real. When you accept what is real, that is when you can make plans to get to what you want to be real.
June 25, 2018
Ah yes, even though I’ve got no control over the aspect of the project that is delayed, I can control how I respond and this certainly makes me feel better about it all.
June 27, 2018
Sometimes being a grown up is a shit. Hope you have a blast in Italy.
June 27, 2018
Thanks!