Nowhere to go, nobody to see. Why bother taking a break?
We were supposed to be going to Devon for a week in June to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 70th birthday. All my in-laws were going to be there, including our 18-month-old niece. We were so looking forward to long walks, BBQs, games, prosecco, dipping our toes in the sea.
Sigh.
Right now our dreams of exploring new places and enjoying long, lazy lunches with a bottle of wine whilst watching the world go by (one of my very favourite things to do) are on hold.
I’ve had a few conversations lately where folks are tempted just to keep on working. It’s not like we can go anywhere or doing anything, so what’s the point in taking time off?
As we enter the third month of lockdown (albeit slightly less restricted now), boredom may have well and truly set in. Add to this the fact that many of us solopreneurs actually enjoy our work and it’s easy to see why it might be tempting just to keep going. What on earth would you do with your time off anyway?
I completely understand the temptation to carry on working, but here are a few reasons why that might not be a good idea.
1) Whether you’re aware of it or not, these last few months have most probably been tough on your nervous system. Slowing down and taking some time to rest will help.
2) When we don’t take time out, it’s very hard for new ideas and inspiration to come through. They need space to swirl and twirl. That’s hard when your brain is constantly working.
3) Exhaustion doesn’t discriminate between work that feels like fun and work that doesn’t (have you seen this blog about why there IS such a thing as too much fun?). Spend too long with your nose to the grindstone and eventually your body will fight back. You can’t serve your clients and create your best work when you’re cream crackered. No matter how fun your work is, you need to rest.
4) Taking time away from the day-to-day running of your business will help you reconnect with the big picture and your vision for your life. Give yourself space to breathe and reflect on whether you’re heading in the right direction. Does life feel good? What might you like to do differently? You need space to ponder those big questions. Give yourself that gift.
5) Life is happening NOW, not at the end of your to-do list. I say that often, and it’s no less true in these times of lockdown and enforced limitations. It may not feel like it when you can’t get out and do all the things you’d love to do this summer, but nevertheless life IS still happening. Don’t let it pass you by!
So, whilst our plans to spend time with family are on hold, Mr Tom The Husband and I are still taking the week off as planned. Here are some of the things on my ‘could do’ list for that week…
1) Read ‘White Supremacy and Me’ by Layla F Saad, and do the work.
2) Sort out the box bedroom so we can use it as an office from time to time
3) Go for lovely walks in the countryside
4) Cook delicious food
5) Watch movies in the middle of the day
6) Enjoy a long lunch with a bottle of wine in the back garden
7) Re-cover a very threadbare footstool
8) Settle into a deckchair in the garden and read
9) Do a few niggly DIY jobs that have been driving us nuts
10) Spend some socially distanced outdoor time with my parents, now we’re allowed to see more people.
There’ll be plenty of pootling going on – I do love a pootle!
So, when did you last take a break? Do you have one planned soon? Your brain and your business will thank you for taking some time out. You’ll return to your desk refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for whatever comes next.
What’s on your could-do list for your lockdown holiday? Do share in the comments below!
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