Let It Be

In just one week, my husband and I are supposed to fly home to Newfoundland to visit with my family. We last visited in 2021, after having our first two COVID vaccines and being able to travel onto the island. Meeting our first nephew had been delayed by a year, and it was incredible to get there and be with family finally. Now, as we prepare to go again, just a few months after the birth of our niece, there is the potential for a pilot strike.

I am NOT here to complain about the pilots and their possible choice to strike; I support their seeking improved working conditions and pay. This post is more about how I’ve needed to let go of control in a situation where I have minimal. Realizing that a strike could go into effect just days before my trip, it was easy to slip into a semi-panicked, solution-finding mindset. We began researching cancellation policies, considered booking other airlines and wondered if we could cancel our vacation at work. Initially, I wanted to security of knowing I was absolutely going on my trip, no matter the way. But, in looking at the possible options, it was decided that we have to wait it out. Cancelling and rescheduling didn’t make sense for us.

I had to resolve that I could have answers to some hypotheticals, but ultimately, I will have to “go with the flow” of each day leading up to the trip. I am not a very good “go with the flow” person. I am the Type A person who reviews menus before going to a restaurant and starts watching the weather two weeks before travel. So, I have had to make sure I am focusing on what needs to happen each day and not endlessly googling for updates or imagining how I will feel/react if the trip has to be cancelled. Letting go and radically accepting circumstances as they are is a challenge, but can save so much emotional energy.

In the meantime, I’m keeping my fingers crossed and looking forward to visiting with my family, which will happen, whether it’s in one week or one month.