Holidays are great, a break from the “norm”, new places, faces and experiences. Are you like currently overcoming major post-holiday blues whilst stepping up my motivation and NOT day dreaming of moving countries? (Just me then?)
During your vacation you can (usually) create the balance that you want; relax, have time for your hobbies and spend more time with your loved ones.
Surely the vacation is the ultimate example of the balance that everyone wants in life?
I have reflected on my most recent holiday, and I am sharing six ways we can all maintain the holiday mindset.
Take me back!
Down time
There was LOTS of travel in Canada, our trip to the Rockies took about nine hours (over two days).I am “blessed” (note sarcastic tone) with travel sickness which means no reading / writing / drawing / games to pass the time. This, combined with the lack of forethought to download audio books, led to lots of time where I had nothing to do. My family were asleep and the driver was concentrating. So I had time to think (hours in fact), to take in the scenery, to be truly mindful. It was energising AND it was relaxing, and it was something I hadn’t done for years.
OVER TO YOU: Allow yourself regular time where you have nothing to. Don’t become tied to busyness.
Agenda plans
Time is always tight on holiday, and if you of the tourist persuasion, then having a rough “to do” list of what you want to do and when you want to do it, means that your time is well served. I was lucky enough to have an organised uncle who had pulled together an itinerary so that our two-weeks was filled with spectacular locations, historical sites and lots and lots of family BBQs.
OVER TO YOU: If you find time gets away from you, schedule in activities that you want to do. Make it an appointment so other things can’t get in the way!
Digital Detox
I purposely turned my phone to flight mode, partly because I refused to pay the daily international charge ( I am often the epitome of Scrooge) and also to force myself to have a digital detox. I had no access to my Facebook, Twitter, Emails, online news or Linkedin for FOURTEEN Days. And you know what, the world still turned! It was like going on holiday in the 1990s. I loved it. When I returned, I hadn’t missed anything that I couldn’t catch up on and anyone that needed me could get hold of me using more traditional modes of the land line phone.
OVER TO YOU: Simply have periods of time when you aren’t connected digitally. Use an app to block your access, turn your phone off or remove it from the room.
Feed the body
I LOVE food. For anyone that has met me ,this comes as no surprise. On holiday food became an event and I had the opportunity to try new things (any other Poutine fans?). However, in the day to day rush of life, we grab and go and don’t take the time to eat well, slowly or a variety.
OVER TO YOU: Plan your meals; what you are going to eat and when you are going to eat. Don’t have food as an unnecessary evil or a reward. It is the fuel that keeps you going.
Feed the mind
List the books you read on holiday. Now list the books you read at home. Is there a difference? What creates the difference? Time? You are able to create the opportunity to read on holiday. Permission? Is your break the time you give yourself to read?
I am a reader. I always have a book of two on the go. This is because it is important to me and I make sure that, on a daily basis, I am reading. I downloaded books on my kindle app, bought books with me and was gifted a lovely one whilst I was away.
For others, this “mind food” time may be spent exercising, crafting or playing music. However, if you find that this only happens when you are away, you need to be finding a slot at home.
OVER TO YOU: Find the opportunity in your life to have this time for you; to feed the mind and the soul. Look at your day. What can you replace (and the digital detox may help here!). What could you add?
Plan to be unavailable
The world HAS to wait when you are on holiday. Work can wait. Friends and Family can wait. You have a limited time period where you aren’t around and plans can be made either side of this stretch in the diary. The world carries on! Yet when we are back from our break, we often rush around trying to fit everything in and often struggle to put their needs first (or even in the top three!)
OVER TO YOU: Give yourself “mini breaks” and a “staycation” mentality. It is OK to say “No we aren’t available” for things and schedule in time for you and your families’ activities.
Which would you add to the list? Would love to hear how you are going to add a little holiday mindset to your life!
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
