Taking time for yourself is so important. Vacation is about changing your pace and taking time for respite and recovery from the intensity of day to day life.
I recently spent some time vacationing with friends and noticed how breaking away from our daily routine can be such a struggle. Just prior to this vacation, I was feeling exhausted; this was burnout setting in. On our first day together, three of us (my friend, his wife and I) sat at the breakfast table and were logged in checking emails and doing our normal daily routine. I looked up and saw that we were not breaking away from what was causing the burnout. I started laughing. When questioned on my laughter, I said, “I’m putting this away and I am giving myself five days of ‘not working.” I put my laptop away, reached for my Kindle and then reminded myself, “no electronics until I return home,” and the Kindle was put away too. I pulled out a book (hardbound) and began my quest to relax without plugging in.
Without the distraction of electronics, I felt inspired to have casual conversations with others while cooking meals, dining, sitting on the deck together, taking walks and more. I just enjoyed being in community. I also committed to an established quiet time daily to let my mind clear and to relax into the moment. I did not need to go anywhere; I was not in a rush; I was committed to allowing my body and mind respite from my professional pursuits and outside pressures. My behavior attracted others in the house to make their own commitment to 90 minutes of quiet time for themselves, use it to support their vision and restore what had been diminished over the past several weeks or months.
When we drove home, I felt relaxed, though not fully rested. I could sense that five days was not enough. I am now blocking out all the fifth weeks on this year’s calendar as my “respite care” time, empowering renewal around what is important — time for me.
Are you setting aside some time to relax, refresh and energize? Maybe it’s time to make this commitment to yourself. Click on the link below to schedule a complimentary 30-minute call.
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