I've needed a break for a while now.
For months I've been pushing forward (or slightly forward) at work and also spending a great deal of time on our website. Never a day without opening the good old laptop (mostly for the better part of the day).
Finally our office closed for its December break last week and a large part of my life was released (the most pressurized part).
Cornel and I went away this last weekend. I took my PC, but when there I decided: No. No booting up, no checking mail, no writing etc. Just rejuvenation. We went to a beautiful area in the Orange Free State, South Africa. I chose "the place" over "the PC".
Why rejuvenation when I love what I do? Because, rejuvenation is also something I love doing - and something I need. But, I've neglected it for a while. This mini-break gave me a chance to go both within and without. Out in the beauty of nature and inside myself with reflection. (Probably some of my introverted characteristics coming through).
I can get so involved with life - the business of life - that I forget and ignore the rising need to take a break. I must always remind myself to look out for the tell-tale signs. For me these include:
- Coping poorly
Events that I would usually take in my stride suddenly feel huge and overwhelming. They may even bring tears of weariness and frustration to my eyes.
- Tiredness
I feel as if I'm dragging myself around somewhat - or at least that spring in my step has disappeared. I find that exercise, which usually energizes me, leaves me feeling drained.
- Decreased enjoyment and desire
Those activities that bring me happiness, fun and fulfillment tend to have a dimmer glow. They are not bringing me as much pleasure and are starting to feel a bit weary. Sometimes they can even take on the appearance of chores! And those activities where motivation is difficult to find in the first place, become sheer castles of doom.
- Unclear thinking
When things are getting too much, I feel that I am unable to think as clearly or respond as sharply as normally. Perhaps I sit for "too long" trying to reply to an e-mail or I am much slower to solve a problem.
- Sleep patterns
Either I start to sleep more (and at inappropriate times such as 5pm to 7pm and then still a normal night's rest) or, I sleep less - battling to settle down, waking up in the middle of the night - "thinking" - or up at the crack of dawn to a dulled day.
- Short-tempered
I am usually relatively patient, but, when I need a break, this is tested. Snapping suddenly rears its head. Sometimes the energy to give to others is simply not there. (If you are not giving to yourself, you can't give to others)
As soon as I start to feel all (or most) of these aspects, little alert bells jingle and I do the following:
- Identify
I identify those activities that are wearing me out; those from which I need a break - even if I love them.
- Decide what I need
Is it a vacation away? Simply a day off? Some sort of support? Spending a day on something else? Bruno LoGreco talks of the breathers he needs and takes.
- Do it
It's no use just thinking about it. The important thing I find is to get away from everything that is too much. I find I need an entire break - it doesn't have the same affect if I only deal with one or two of the items on the list. (You might feel otherwise). And it also means a break from worrying about it. I can organize for someone to keep an eye on things while I'm not there or delegate or whatever in order to get rid of the "I-can't-leave-it" feelings. I remind myself that if I don't take a break now, I might need to leave it for longer at a later stage!
- Make any necessary changes
Then, when I'm back, I ask myself if there any changes that I need to make? Perhaps I simply needed a break; perhaps I need to tackle some things differently in order for my life to be smoother, less hectic etc. Take a day off from work every two months? Set aside an half-hour daily for me-time?
So, now I'm back from my mini-break. The website and blog are still there. I've gone through most of my e-mails. I feel more refreshed. I'm writing an article.
And, I have some great memories.
What are your signs of needing a break? What do you do about them?
If you enjoyed this, also take a look at my hubpages:
Do You Find It Difficult to Ask for Help?
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