Humans are not robots, nor are they meant to be! Shocking isn’t it, that this has to be said. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised when I hear another person tell me they haven’t had a moment to relax, eat properly, or enjoy the beauty in their life. A break can be as short or long as you desire or are able to in the moment. They key is taking a moment to pause and be present, long enough to let go of thoughts and ever-present responsibilities.
I was drawn to write this post because within a couple of days, I unexpectedly helped two people take a much needed break.
The first was my visit to a friend who had moved house. For weeks now he’s been posting photos of the incredible view he has of Lion’s Bay on Facebook. There must be at least a photo a day capturing the change in light and shade, the shimmering water, or the awe inspiring sunsets. So you can imagine my surprise when he told me that my visit was the first time he’s actually sat outside and just enjoyed the view in his new garden! We sat out for a couple of hours and it was lovely to just let time pass, a rare treat.
The second situation resulted from a miscommunication with a colleague. I thought we were meeting to do some work together and he didn’t realize I saw it as confirmed. So I ended up on my own in one of my favourite eateries doing the work I had planned. After a while, I decided to call a friend who worked just minutes away to see if she had time to meet for lunch. I was happy to get my own work done, but had expected company so decided to call her for some. Fortunately she was able to make it. As she ate her lunch and we caught up, she told me that this was the first time in a long time that she was able to eat peacefully. She commented on how luxurious it felt. Having a young baby and working full-time did not get her “me-time”. And she acknowledged that trying do so would create some guilt, a common experience among mothers it seems. While I was seeking her company, it was a delight to have ‘given’ her some time to luxuriate.
Taking a break requires a commitment to self. You receive peace, calm, and enjoyment. You have a moment to absorb whatever is going on in your life and relax. Whether a moment or an hour, this will energize you for the day ahead. Let’s begin acting like the humans we are when it comes to self-care. It’s far more enjoyable and rewarding.
