In Search of a Fresh Metaphor

“If airplane safety videos have taught me anything, David,
it’s that a mother puts her own mask on first.”

— Moira Rose

I am still looking for a fresh metaphor to replace the very well-used metaphorical advice “To put your oxygen mask on first.”

Regardless of my desire to recast the metaphor, I have taken the advice to heart.

After a year of unplanned interruptions and challenges in 2024 that overflowed into 2025, I didn’t cancel a trip to Cancun which I had previously postponed two times. Today, I am very grateful for the ability to work remotely as well as the nudges from friends, a support system that takes on the responsibility of my life — dogs to a favorite kennel, home repairs by the trusted Eddie and Brianna, my mail safely held by the USPS and dependable Kevin — the remaining things that run without my presence.

On this trip, I stayed in three different locations. The first gave me a taste of how families with children of all ages go on vacation out of the country. No, I didn’t find my ‘inner child’ while observing the little ones everywhere, wet and sandy, loud and spirited, but, it did make me yearn to go on vacation with my nieces and their children. Then, I relocated to an all-adult, five-star resort for a couple of days and discovered a lifestyle I had not previously experienced. I didn’t leave my room for a full day, opting to catch up on the work I had packed. I could do this cheerfully because delicious food was delivered to my room that I ordered on an I-pad. I rewarded myself with a swing in the hammock and a dip in the Jacuzzi on my private deck. I worked a long day with the help of an espresso machine and snack drawer. I rose with the sunrise and slept in a bed without a pack of dogs. I fell in love with the ToTo bidet toilet and have added it to my’ home improvement wish list.’ And I learned that the world works just fine without me. Though I did watch CNN on the room’s large flat-screen TV to stay current with all the goings on.

The final location of my escape was a very familiar resort that I had visited previously. Ending with something familiar was a good plan.

I came with the goals of getting rested, catching up, finishing a book outline, and finding my balance again.

I repeated to myself every day, “All work and no play makes Leslie a dull girl.”.

So, I did:

• Go outside

• Nap

• Eat like a local

• Touch the water

• Practice my elementary Spanish and use my language translating earbuds.

• Plan an excursion

And I discovered that when you relocate, the change you want and need can happen faster than you think.

My lessons and awareness continued for the entire trip — including:

• It takes a lot of effort to transition, even a vacation transition.

• I didn’t like the transition at first, but it grew on me quickly.

• Everything looks better in the morning after you rest.

• Settling into a new place means unpacking your luggage and putting things into drawers to be somewhere else.

Some of my habits travel with me and keep me grounded wherever I am including the need to start the day and end the day with quiet planning and list making.

• Remember that everyone around me is embracing a new environment too. Be patient with yourself and with them.

• Explore the new environment, try new things, and make some new friends.

• Reward yourself with small changes and something different every day.

• Ask yourself, “What can I accomplish in this environment that I couldn’t do in the place where my routines contributed to some being stuck?”

• Notice if you can Feel again? Smile again? Breathe deeply again?

Given so many days away from my routines and responsibilities (though I carry them with me everywhere I go) and traveling alone without needing to talk very much, I have been having conversations with myself. The space of silence allows some important lessons to bubble to the surface. I expect that more will be forthcoming but this trip and time away gifted me with:

• I don’t need to go looking for happiness or find it by being with another person, it is with me all the time.

• Trust and listen to your heart and the voice in your head which will tell you what is right for you.

• I don’t have the answers for anyone else but am in the process of discovering my own answers and thus discovering myself.

• Don’t be afraid to step out on your own. Breathe through the anxious spots. Find the joy in the little things.

• Say thank you and connect with each person you meet.

• Embrace self-care and self-compassion habits.

I feel like a snowman that has melted. The layers of stress slowly released from my shoulders. My tension headache disappeared. A person I like to be was returning to my body. My stance of being a snowplow making her way through the day’s set of responsibilities and challenges has been replaced with the lightness of a salsa dancer who is humming and dancing through the day.

Maybe the ‘oxygen mask’s metaphor does not need to be replaced. I just need to not ignore the voice of my body, spirit, and mind and respond to the call to plan fully and purposefully a scheduled “run away from home” work/play adventure.

When will you be taking the time to listen to your body and taking a positive ‘time out’?