I go through that every time I plan a vacation. I have so many financial obligations, it just doesn't seem right for me to spend money on something as ephemeral and intangible as a vacation; but a few years ago it occurred to me that I'll probably always have some sort of debt that I'm paying off, but I can't say the same for my youth. Hence, I try to take some kind of trip at least every couple of years, and go somewhere I've never been or do something I've never done, while I'm young enough to get the most out of it.

The thing about vacations for me is that an occasional change in scenery and routine breaks up the monotony of my dull life and provides enough of a distraction that I forget all about my difficulties for a while. Also, they usually leave me so worn out that by the end I'm eager to get back to my home and my old routine, and for a while at least I'm able to appreciate what I've got.

You should take a vacation, Eleni. You certainly deserve one.