What I Learned About Health in a Grand Canyon Gift Shop
My legs are aching and my lungs are burning as I ascend to the top of the Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon. My 4th grader, who strikingly resembles a mountain goat, ambitiously set a goal that we climb back up in half the time it took us to hike down. I looked at his excited smile and the twinkle in his eyes as he asked. The mom and coach in me couldn’t say no to that kind of goal setting, so up we went.
He skipped along, passing streams of people descending as he tried to keep pace with the mules. I, on the other hand, was fervently scanning to ensure he was paying attention to the path, no wider than a sliding glass door, with what felt like certain death below if he lost his footing. This is the same kid, after all, who once got so lost in the stories he was telling me that he walked right into a sandwich board outside the YMCA and a wide support beam in the grocery store. My heart was racing from more than just the steep climb.
By the time we got to the top, alive and unscathed, we naturally found ourselves near one of the gift shops on our way back to fill up our water bottles. We were staying to watch the sunset over the canyon, then waking up early to see the sunrise—two of my own goals. I’ve always been a sucker for a gift shop, and this was no exception. I wanted to commemorate our trip, not just the hike up the canyon, but the whole experience of taking my kiddo to a new state as a single mom, for adventures neither of us had ever done before. New situations. New challenges. Lots of planning. Lots of time together. I was proud of us. We were having an incredible trip. Surely there would be something in the gift shop that could mean almost as much whenever I looked at it, or wore it, once we were back home, right?
For 45 minutes, I agonized over trying to find something “perfect” as my kiddo combed the rock and gem section for smooth and sparkly treasures. I imagined myself sipping tea in the morning out of one of the heavy pottery mugs, remembering what it felt like to watch the sun light up the canyon at dawn. I saw myself wearing one of the trucker hats at the beach, but none of them had exactly the right combo of image and text I wanted. A magnet seemed too trite. A water bottle would have no room at home. The hoodies and t-shirts didn’t have the color I wanted in my size.
Then it dawned on me—like I was Charlie Brown in Arizona—that it wasn’t about the gift. I was searching for feelings and moments that couldn’t be bought. But what were they?
As I reflected for the rest of the trip, and on vacations since, I kept coming back to this question. What exactly were the elements that made these trips so nourishing for my body & soul? Why did I feel so much happier with fewer aches & pains? After considering it for years, here’s my curated list of the meaningful aspects of vacations for me:
The deeper needs vacations have
been meeting
Adventure & Nature
Free time for adventures and a variety of movements
Being present in nature
New challenges & skills
Fresh water swimming (because sharks are scary AF to me)
Connection & Joy
Connecting, laughing & playing games with others
Physical affection
Learning about new cultures
Rest & Reflection
Relaxation time to read, do a puzzle, reflect, or swing in a hammock
Getting lots of sleep
Tea outside in the morning
Fewer responsibilities
Over the years, I’ve realized it’s never been about one specific location. These are things I could do most places, including at home, to fill my cup. I started asking myself: What would it look like to bring those vacation feelings into everyday life?
How I’ve built vacation moments into my
daily life
A hammock chair in our sunroom
A career that centers connection, movement, and growth
A business that values flexibility, morals, boundaries, and respect
Bringing nature, shade, and fresh air to my backyard by planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers
A fire pit and patio for connection and outdoor time
Reaching out more to friends and family
Joining groups and volunteering
An outdoor table for tea with breakfast and a heated blanket for cold mornings
Sunset walks with the dog
Several strength & cardio sessions each week
Upbeat playlists for cooking & cleaning
Being okay with not getting everything done so I can get enough sleep
Watching stand-up comedy live & on TV
Challenging myself to learn new skills in areas like my business, or replacing my car’s battery
Podcasts, books & shows with people from different cultures & backgrounds
Saying no to more things that drain my energy and yes to what matters to me
What does any of this have to do with health?
I didn’t realize it at first, but this reflection has everything to do with health. Health is more than just how strong you are. Your mental, emotional, physical, and environmental health all play a role in well-being, and they influence one another. I like having more of these experiences baked into my routines so I’m not daydreaming about escaping just to get through the week.
Although I’ve worked hard to make these changes slowly over the years, don’t take this to mean my life feels like a never-ending vacation. It’s far from perfect. I still have plenty of stressors to navigate. I have other countries I want to visit. But reminding myself to take a little time each day to create a vacation moment, and to work toward a life that reflects my identity, values, and goals, has been incredibly satisfying.
These lists are based solely on what’s important to me. They’re what help me feel more like myself, grounded, and fulfilled. Your version might not involve a hammock or a fire pit. It could be coffee on your stoop, five minutes with a journal, or one deep breath by an open window. The point is to find your vacation moments.
What’s on your list? Scroll down and leave a comment below.