Whether it’s adjusting your itinerary to accommodate the weather or embracing new opportunities that come your way, embracing a spirit of adventure can help you create unforgettable memories and experience happiness.
Discover how to turn every day trip into a joyful and fulfilling adventure!
Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more great content.Disappointment occurs when someone’s expectations or hopes are not met, and they feel let down or frustrated. We often describe the feeling of disappointment as a sense of sadness, frustration, or dissatisfaction. Physical sensations can also accompany disappointment, such as a sinking feeling in the stomach or a heavy heart.
Emotionally, disappointment can be accompanied by feelings of anger, resentment, or regret, especially if the person feels that they missed out on something important or that their expectations were unfairly high. In some cases, disappointment can also lead to feelings of hopelessness or a sense of loss, particularly if the person believes that the opportunity to achieve their goals is no longer available.
Can you think of a time when you felt disappointed? What happened to make you feel that way?
I feel disappointed when I’ve made plans and put something on my calendar. That sense of commitment tells me that this thing is going to happen. I start to imagine what it will look like and all the steps involved.
If we’re planning a day trip, I think about what time we will leave, how long it will take to drive there, where we might stop along the way, and what we will see and do when we get there.
Then I start to feel enthusiastic about it.
If that day trip gets canceled or even postponed, I’m going to be disappointed. There’s no getting around it. My expectations are blown away like a plastic bag on a windy New Mexico day. That plastic bag had the potential to hold so many good things: chips and dip for a Super Bowl party, or a Valentine’s Day gift for a friend. Now it’s just ugly garbage.
The most important thing to bring with you on any excursion or day trip is flexibility.
Having a flexible attitude and mindset can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying your trip, even when things don’t go as planned.
When you’re open to new opportunities and options, you’re more likely to have a positive experience and make the most of your time.
Flexibility allows you to go with the flow and adapt to any changes or unexpected events that may arise. It also allows you to be open to new experiences and try new things.
By being flexible, you’ll be able to make the most of your day trip, no matter what happens. Just remember, your excursion is all about having fun and making memories, and don’t stress over the details.
We’ve all been there before–you plan a day trip with high expectations, but things don’t turn out the way you had hoped. Maybe the weather doesn’t cooperate, or the attraction you were looking forward to visiting is closed for the day. It can be incredibly disappointing when we don’t get to do the things we planned.
Toby and I planned a visit to Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico.
We nearly went in December, but they have restricted hours during the holidays, so he booked our day pass for Saturday, January 7. We figured the holidays would be over and everything would be open.
We were wrong.
When we arrived, we found out that the Paleontology and anthropology museums were closed.
They were the main thing we were hoping to see.
We even listened to the audio tours available on the izi.TRAVEL app in the car on the way there to learn about the exhibits.
Guest Cottage at Ghost RanchOf course, we were disappointed.
But here’s the thing–disappointment doesn’t have to ruin your day (or your trip)! Instead of dwelling on what didn’t go as planned, try to stay open to new opportunities and options.
The Ghost Ranch staff rebooked our day pass for Friday, January 13.
But since we were already there, we explored the Ghost House, Library, and the property. We took many photos and watched the two videos they show in the Welcome Center.
We even did some shopping at the Trading Post.
After we left Ghost Ranch, we stopped and recorded drone videos of the surrounding red and golden cliffs and Abiquiu Lake.
Then we still had time to stop at the Georgia O’Keeffe Welcome Center and the Abiquiu Inn for an early dinner before driving home.
The Welcome Center was an unexpected surprise. We saw it on our way to Ghost Ranch and hoped to have time to stop in to check it out. We spent about 30 minutes there watching the short documentary film about Georgia O’Keeffe and then browsed through the gallery and gift shop.
Next, we walked over to the Abiquiu Inn and discovered another delightful place we didn’t know existed. We enjoyed a leisurely early dinner as we absorbed the New Mexican art and vibe of the restaurant and Inn.
It turned out to be a wonderful day trip even without seeing the museums.
When we looked over the photos and video that we gathered that first day, we realized there were many more photos we wanted. So we began to plan for our next visit.
Being flexible is important when things don’t go according to plan during a day trip because it helps you to adapt to unexpected changes and maintain a positive attitude, rather than becoming frustrated or stressed.
When plans are disrupted, having a flexible mindset can help you to find alternative solutions, rather than getting stuck or giving up. For example, if the weather changes unexpectedly, you can adjust your itinerary and activities to accommodate the new conditions.
The quicker you accept things must change, the quicker you can start coming up with new ideas and start having fun. So focus on the bigger picture of enjoying your day and making memories and let go of the details.
Flexibility allows you to be open to new experiences and opportunities that may arise during your trip, rather than being overly attached to your original plans. This can help you make the most of your time, even if things don’t go exactly as expected.
In addition, flexibility can help you stay calm and relaxed during your trip, which will positively impact your overall experience and the experiences of those around you.
By being flexible, you can focus on enjoying the moment and making the most of your time, rather than getting caught up in frustration or disappointment.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your day trip, even when things don’t go as expected:
Be flexible with your plans.
Sometimes, the best experiences come from going with the flow. If your original plans fall through, don’t be afraid to switch things up and try something new. Who knows, you may end up discovering a hidden gem you never would have found otherwise!
Keep an open mind.
When things don’t go as expected, it’s easy to have a negative attitude and write off the rest of your day. But by keeping an open mind and being willing to try new things, amazing experiences, stories, and memories can fill your day.
Look for the silver lining.
Even in the worst-case scenarios, there’s usually something positive to be found. Maybe the rain forced you to take shelter in a quaint little café, where you had the best cup of coffee of your life. Or perhaps the closed attraction gave you a chance to explore a nearby park or museum you would never have visited otherwise.
Don’t be afraid to ask locals for recommendations.
The people who live in the area you’re visiting likely know it better than you do. Ask locals for tips on where to go and what to see, and the unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences they recommend may surprise you.
We asked the staff at the Georgia O’Keeffe Welcome Center about the restaurant in the Abiquiu Inn. They recommended it and we were delighted to enjoy a scrumptious dinner there.
We enjoyed it so much that we went back again the next week to try another delicious meal.
Remember, a day trip doesn’t have to be perfect to be enjoyable. Sometimes, the best memories come from the unexpected twists that happen along the way.
So next time your expectations aren’t met, try to stay open to new opportunities and options. You never know what unique experiences await you!
I’ll close today with another fun little poem written by my friend that nicely summarizes our topic for today.
It’s called:
Happiness is a journey, not just a place,
It’s a feeling that we carry with grace.
Along the road, we smile and we sing,
Finding joy in the little things.
We skip and we dance, we laugh and we play,
Making memories each and every day.
It’s not about where we end up, you see,
Happiness is a way of travel. That’s the key!
So let’s hit the road with a twinkle in our eye,
And embrace every moment as it goes by.
We’ll chase the sun and chase our dreams,
And find happiness in everything it seems.
Thanks for joining me today and remember, make every journey an adventure, and every adventure a story worth sharing.
Welcome to Shelley Carney in the Land of Enchantment, a podcast that takes you on a journey across the beautiful state of New Mexico. Join me as I explore the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of this land and share my insights on life along the way. Whether you’re a traveler looking for inspiration and motivation or simply someone who enjoys contemplating the world around them, this podcast is for you. So, pack your bags, and let’s discover the Land of Enchantment together.
Remember, this show starts as a livestream, which produces a podcast and blog. Look for your favorite format and subscribe.
Enjoy the photos of my day trips and read the blog posts on our website at http://nmdaytrips.com
Find our YouTube video about our first trip to Ghost Ranch here: https://youtu.be/rjYs3R6KBhk
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