Finding Vacation at Home: The Power of Imagination and Inner Peace

As August arrives, bringing with it the sweltering heat and the universal dream of escape, the article delves into the essence of vacation. The Korean word for vacation, 'hyuga' (휴가), combines 'rest' (hyu, 쉴) and 'gap' (ga, 틈), with the character for rest humorously depicted as a person leaning against a tree. This imagery evokes a time of idleness, of simply being without the pressure to do anything. The Western terms 'vacance' and 'vacation' share roots with the English word 'vacant,' meaning empty, echoing the idea of a void.

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The character for 'rest' (hyu) is said to have been formed by an image of a person leaning against a tree, a cute fact that brings a smile.

However, the article questions whether modern vacations truly embody this emptiness. Instead of being periods of unburdened time, they often become filled with obligations: booking flights, packing suitcases, and adhering to packed itineraries. The author contrasts this with the grandmother in Ahn Dal's picture book, 'Grandmother's Summer Vacation.' Unable to travel, she invents her own seaside paradise in her living room using a seashell gifted by her grandson and a slice of watermelon. This imaginative escape provides her with a complete and restful vacation, demonstrating that a fulfilling break doesn't require physical departure.

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In a world where one seems to need to step onto foreign soil by booking a plane ticket to be recognized as having taken a vacation, let's meet a cute grandmother who invents her own sea on the living room floor, just like the character 'rest'.

This imaginative act aligns with the philosophical concept of 'ataraxia,' a state of serene calmness and freedom from inner turmoil, as proposed by Epicurus. The grandmother's small living room, even with a malfunctioning fan, becomes a sanctuary of ataraxia. The article posits that true rest is not about changing one's surroundings but about transforming one's relationship with time and finding inner peace. It's about creating 'gaps' and 'breathing room' in our schedules and clearing our minds of external noise, rather than filling suitcases.

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Epicurus, who was given the somewhat easily misunderstood label of hedonism, called true rest 'ataraxia,' a state of serene calmness, not of brilliant entertainment and pleasure, but of inner peace without deficiency or anxiety.

Drawing inspiration from French philosopher Gaston Bachelard's work, the article likens the seashell to a protective haven, a space where imagination can flourish and the self can be reinvented. Bachelard viewed such intimate spaces as capable of containing the entire universe. The grandmother's ability to conjure a vibrant beach from a simple seashell illustrates this profound human capacity to recreate reality through imagination. The piece concludes by urging readers to cultivate their own 'shelters', personal sanctuaries where they can find peace and solace, emphasizing that the true essence of vacation lies in finding this inner quietude.

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The seashell is the hardest and most beautiful hiding place that a tender mollusk can have. A pretty empty house containing the waves. Daydreaming is not escapism, but a beautiful and dignified human ability to recreate reality.