Today’s Inspiration: “Sometimes the best way to balance your life is to let go of the things that drain your energy.”
So, let’s just get this out there: living in Orlando, especially near Disney World, is not all pixie dust and magic. Yes, we have Mickey Mouse in our backyard, and the fireworks light up the sky every night, but let me tell you – living close to the happiest place on Earth can actually mess with your work-life balance in ways you might not expect.
For starters, working at a resort hotel near Disney World means I’m constantly surrounded by tourists who are on vacation, living their best lives. (Which, don’t get me wrong, is wonderful for them – but for me, it’s like a reminder that I’m not currently sitting poolside with a cocktail, living that vacation life.) It’s almost like having the best of both worlds: the magic of Disney and the reality of working hard to support that magic. But, trust me, after a long shift, it can feel like I’m the one who needs a vacation!
Kyle and I have had to be super intentional about creating a balance between the magic and the work. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of “I’ll just pop into Disney Springs for dinner tonight,” or “Hey, let’s grab a quick drink at Epcot after work!” But before you know it, you’re spending your “day off” at a theme park rather than actually resting. Which, I hate to say it, isn’t exactly what my body (and mind) need after a full work week.
Then there’s the “local” side of things. People think, “Oh, you live near Disney, so you must be there all the time!” Uh, no. I wish. It’s honestly so much harder to go to Disney when you live here. There’s this funny phenomenon where locals avoid the parks like the plague. It’s kind of like having a beautiful backyard that you never use because, well, you see it every day. But when you work in the hospitality industry near Disney, you’re already surrounded by the magic in a way that it almost becomes normal. Like, “Oh, there’s Cinderella’s Castle again. Yawn.”
I’ve had to really carve out moments for myself that aren’t Disney-related. I know, shocking, right? So, Kyle and I try to take time to do things not centered around theme parks, which is sometimes easier said than done! Even though we live close to a place where people come from all over the world to have magical experiences, we have to actively create our own magic in the form of quiet nights, regular date nights, and cozy weekends where Disney World is just a distant backdrop instead of the focal point.
The hardest part? The sheer lack of downtime. I mean, my phone is always buzzing with emails and texts about Disney stuff, work stuff, personal stuff – you get the idea. You’d think living near such an exciting place would feel like a constant vacation, but it’s actually easy to feel like you’re “on” all the time, just like any other big city. There’s always something going on, and sometimes that energy is exhausting rather than invigorating. The flip side, though, is that there’s so much fun to be had when you find those little pockets of time to just relax and remember what real balance feels like.
So, here’s my advice for anyone who’s thinking of moving to the Disney World area (or any touristy destination): don’t forget to take care of YOU. The parks are incredible, but so are quiet nights in, a good book, and actually being present with your family. Whether it’s catching up with Kyle, having a spa day, or just grabbing a coffee with a friend – life doesn’t need to revolve around the Mouse. You’re allowed to have “off” days, even if the world around you is screaming “Magic Kingdom” and “Pixie Dust.”
Living near Disney World does have its perks – I mean, hello—when people come to visit, you’re automatically the hero of the group. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the true magic comes from finding that sweet spot between embracing the magic and embracing the real-life moments that make it all worth it. And, oh, maybe a little bit of Cinderella’s Castle magic sprinkled in between.
Because, let’s face it, there’s nothing like closing your eyes at night, hearing the fireworks go off in the distance, and knowing you’re lucky enough to have the best of both worlds – if you can balance it just right.