Is it just me or does everyone feel the same way I do when they return from their vacation. Yes, I had a great time and I could have stayed much longer, but now that I’m home I feel like I need to take another break. Just some time to really chill out. Don’t get me wrong, the beach me and my family went to was fantastic. We went to Portsmouth Island, North Carolina, a remote barrier island that is part of Cape Lookout National Seashore.

When I say remote, I certainly mean it. We traveled over 400 miles by land and had to take three ferries just to get there. If you ever want to get away from civilization, I suggest a place such as this. While it was very relaxing and we rarely saw another human being, keeping the kids entertained took a bit out of me. But alas, it was a fantastic time!

After three and a half days on the island it was time to get back on that ferry and get to the mainland. Now it was back off to the hustle and bustle of civilization as we headed 200 and some odd miles up the road to historic Williamsburg, Virginia and Busch Gardens Amusement Park.

So pack up the load and the kids and five hours later we were in a hotel room and raring to go for the next couple of days. And go we did. It was a marathon day of rides and fun (except for me, I don’t do the ride thing). We were up at the crack of dawn and in the park at the opening bell 10 am and stayed just until the 9 pm close time. Back to the hotel room to hit the sheets and we did it all again the next day except only now we were at the water park. It wasn’t quite as long a day but we had to drive back home that evening so we cut out around 5 pm.

The drive was simply fantastic. Our handy GPS tallied only 271 miles from home and estimated we’d be at out front door by 9 pm. As we pulled into the driveway I noticed that the GPS doesn”t count on traffic, bio stops, etc. So at 11:30 pm we were finally home … and with that I’m ready for a vacation.

While a new beginning may sound intriguing and adventurous it also comes with the its sense of nervousness. I have been in the design and marketing business for quite some time and have seen a lot of changes over the years. While I’ve seen the ups and downs, the twists ans turns, I’ve always felt like I”ve been in my element and with people that understood this work environment.

As of Friday, August 10th, this has all changed. I’ve left the company I started and ultimately sold only to venture back out into the unknown. With no certain next steps I have brought upon a new found excitement and yes, fear of what the future may hold for me. Yes, I have some ideas of what I may be doing in my next life, but ultimately it’s a time for me to perhaps change my overall direction.

While the design, advertising agency, and ultimately interactive marketing industry have all been great challenging experiences for me, it may be time for a change. All too often we find ourselves in what I deem a “work comfort zone”. That is, we find ourselves “going through the motions”. Day in and day out we get in a rut and while there’s nothing wrong with this, I find that without a challenge I find it hard to press onward.

So without committing to my next venture, I do know that whatever it is, it will bring change. With change comes learning and ultimately a new life challenge.