The importance of time for oneself.

I had four days left of annual leave before the end of January and, rather uncharacteristically, decided to take them rather than just let them go. The decision was taken as I felt I didn't actually have a Christmas break. My husband could not take any days off aside from the statutory days of leave over the Christmas/New Year period so I was on childcare duty almost all the time. The result was that I took time off to look after Baby but didn't actually have a rest. In fact it was more mentally and physically demanding than usual as I was also doing a bit of work in my spare moments to meet various deadlines at the beginning of the year. I went back to work in January more of a wreck than before the break and found it hard to concentrate. So I decided that I would use the remaining leave days and spend them doing things I would like to do.

It was a good decision. The state of the flat had been bothering me for a while and it was a constant source of stress. I am not a clean freak but I like a certain level of tidiness. We had accumulated many more things than we required since the arrival of Baby and we needed to declutter. I decided that  we would sort it out once and for all on the four days of leave.

It was fairly physical at times but looking through our books and rearranging them on shelves was a pleasant chore. Sorting out the furniture and getting new lighting that works for the flat in its current layout was relaxing. Regrouting the bathroom where needed was another chill out activity. In short I was busy but felt I was getting somewhere with a plan and could get life under control again, and it felt good.  Being so engrossed with the doing that there was no space for thinking about work was exactly what I needed. Not that it was ever too far off but it was easier to push it aside when it was inconvenient to check my phone- my hands were full of books that needed shelving. I guess I needed time to myself most of all and that is not easy to come by these days.

So it wasn't an impromptu flight to an exotic location but I feel much better all the same. I finally feel rested and ready to face the new year.

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