In three sleeps I’m flying to Australia for a month.
I’m so not ready.
This time last year we were already in Australia, and I’d put a lot of planning into exactly what and when would take place while we were there. Because when you have limited time to catch up on everything, a good plan is required to fit it all in. And I’m a classic over-planner – I have list after list after list – I have excel spreadsheets and a notepad full of random thoughts.
This year felt like a bit of a whirlwind. Hubby and I had half-considered taking a longer trip together toward the end of the year. Then life happened, work happened, and August to October disappeared with visitors. When hubby got a new job, he enjoyed 6 weeks off in summer, using up his annual leave, but that left me with all my annual leave, and no one to share it with.
So I booked myself a solo ticket to Oz. It just made sense.
And then I fell back into work and life and just didn’t feel ready to start planning.
To be fair, I do have some lists. I have a list of things to buy in Australia (Vegemite, Tim Tams etc.), I have a packing list (cause I found last year’s and copied it), and I have a partially completed calendar of where I’m going to be. I’ve booked a trip up to Newcastle and I’ve planned to spend New Year’s with my bro.
But I haven’t filled up every day, and while I’ve planned catch ups with many people, I certainly haven’t taken it as far as I did last year.
And with three sleeps to go it just doesn’t feel like it. The suitcase is still in the basement. And while I have done my Christmas shopping it’s all just sitting in a box in a spare room. I wonder if I’ll even remember who gets what!
But I think I’m mostly done planning. I think I’m going to wait till the day I fly to pack (I leave in the evening). I’ll see plenty of family and friends while I’m in Oz. And if I miss someone, I’m sorry, but I can’t do it all. I can’t spread myself out so thin that I’m constantly stressing about where to be when, and feeling guilty all the time.
I do feel bad about leaving hubby for a whole month and I’m sure going to miss him. But I’m going to love seeing my friends and family, and my dog, who is surprisingly still alive (hold on buddy, just a little bit longer). And it will be summer – no more beanies and gloves.
I’m sure the month is going to flash by, but I’m going to take it day by day, and enjoy it. Because before I know it, I’ll be back in the cold and snow, and rubbing my hands together in anticipation of European summer.
an aussie in austria 