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Maureen Rice, editor of Psychologies Magazine
Editor's blog
Psychologies magazine Editor Maureen Rice airs her views and experiences in her blog.

The joy of holidays15/08/2008 1:53 pm

“Holidays aren’t worth it”, said Helen, our art director the other day. “In the week before you go away you do two weeks work to get ahead, and in the week you come back you do two weeks work to catch up”.

We all know that feeling – I’m feeling it now, typing this with one eye on the clock as I have a train to catch to take me on my own holiday in about an hour.

In matters visual I bow to Helen’s opinions, but on the subject of holidays I’m afraid we part company because I think they are worth it, always. Even if it costs you a fortune, then rains for two weeks. Even if, let’s just say, as a random example, and not related to any editor you might happen to know, you took two teenage children with happy fantasies about bonding time as a family and all they did was stay in their room moaning to their friends via mobile and social networking about how bored they were.

Holidays in reality may not live up to our fantasies - we look forward to them for so long, how could they? But the fantasy is important – it’s practically the point. It’s like all those long lists of recommended summer reading you see in the broadsheets at this time of the year. I’ll never get through half of them, but the fantasy of having the time and space to read for uninterrupted hours on a perfect beach or in a sunny garden is what my brain produces when someone says the word ‘summer’.

The thought of my holiday carries me through cold August days and rained-off barbecues. It keeps me happy for weeks in advance, planning which books and outfits to take. I love clothes, but definitely favour the dressed down look on holiday, and dress the way I have since I was about eight - shorts, jeans, sneakers, T shirts and, always, a straw bag. Fantasy, ritual, tradition - that’s what’s getting my endorphins excited.

The idea of ‘summer’ is like the idea of ‘Christmas’‚ and, in fact, the idea of ‘holiday’. It’s evocative, emotional, practically virtual. The actual experience may or may not live up to the idea.

I don’t care. I haven’t even left yet and I feel good already.

3 COMMENTS

  • Maria on 14/10/2008 21:19pm

    Aaahhhh - just the sound of the word conjures up feelings of anticipation, excitement, the unknown! The actual practicalities, however, of making it to "departure day" can feel daunting - the process of deciding where and when to go, paying for it, packing for it - can make you feel "is it worth it?". I always feel better once the holiday has been booked. That's when part of the excitement begins. I once booked a holiday 2 weeks before departure and felt robbed of the anticipation! During the holiday, I feel almost like in a dream - a far cry from reality, somehow wishing every day could last for ever and dreading the journey home! Back to routine, commitments, the treadmill of life! More holidays I say!

  • Brigid on 16/09/2008 14:48pm

    I just want to say your comment article in The Guardian was one of the most sensible things I have read about therapy in a long time. See link everyone to read. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/10/psychology.mentalhealth?commentpage=1

  • Tina on 01/09/2008 15:58pm

    OK, but how long is this holiday going to last? It's time you updated this blog, maureen!