Yesterday on my second day of holiday here in Sani, Greece I turned the corner from our hotel towards the beach and had what I can only describe as a wobble.
With child-like wonder I was in awe of the natural beauty of the sea, sand and sky in front of me. I also felt a deep sense of being at home, that’s it’s ok to relax and ok to just be. I felt happy, reassured, excited, awestruck and grateful all at the same time. Like I was hit with a lightning bolt and had a huge weight lifted from my shoulders all at the same time. In fact, I also felt a bit guilty and silly for not stopping to smell the roses the past couple of months.There is so much beauty around us all of the time, we just need to tune into
There is so much beauty around us all of the time, we just need to tune into and appreciate it. Stop what we are doing, just be, soak it up and feel the gratitude for what we have in that moment.
It only lasted a second but I felt so confused and unsure that I had to say out loud that I just had a wobble and needed time to compose myself. A loving and reassuring rub on the back from Natalie helped to ground and centre me so that I could enjoy and be grateful for the view I was seeing. I’m still finding it a little hard to fully relax on holiday but I know I will do. A few more days and I will be in rest mode. It’s clear to me that I shouldn’t be working really hard for a few months and then having a holiday to try to relax and recharge.
I’m still finding it a little hard to fully relax on holiday but I know I will do. A few more days and I will be in rest mode. It’s clear to me that I shouldn’t be working really hard for a few months and then having a holiday to try to relax and recharge. Anyway holidays these days are different from a few years ago when I could just sleep, rest, eat drink and be merry with abandonment for everything else. Yes I can still do those things now but I also have a responsibility as a father, role model and buddy to my wonderful two-year-old daughter.
Even if I tried to shirk my responsibilities Ella-Lily won’t allow that type of holiday, which is right. It’s not fair on her and I want to spend time exploring and having fun with her so that she gets as much from the holiday as I and Natalie do.
It’s just not natural to be full pelt for months then grind to a halt expecting and hoping to be able to relax and feel like me again. Before going full pelt again. It’s not sustainable. This is like the vicious circle of doom. Each time getting closer and closer to the depths of despair.
It reminds me of everything in moderation. Yes work hard, as well as work smart, but also take time to relax too. On the same day or day after. Long periods of the same thing cannot be helpful in the short, medium or long term.
The vicious circle is being broken today and I am no longer expecting to be able to recharge in the future and to work like an idiot.
Have you noticed anything similar in your life recently?
How do you rest and relax as well as getting the important and urgent things done?
