Like many people across Australia, we are now on holidays…we only have a few days but it is a very much needed break after a busy few months.
But I am finding it isn’t easy to turn my racing mind off…to stop thinking of the 101 different things I should, or could, be doing and just stop.
The trouble is, after everything my husband and I have been through, we hate wasting a minute of our second chance…which means sometimes we do forget to give ourselves permission to slow down for a little while.
To stop and breathe…breathe in that divine fresh, salty winter air.
And how many of you actually look at your surroundings…I mean, really look!
Or are you like me…often looking at my world on a screen instead…or through a camera viewfinder.
I realised yesterday that although I see my environment, I sometimes don’t actually absorb it…it’s like my eyes are viewing what’s around me, but the brain isn’t processing it…appreciating it.
I guess I have forgotten how to just sit and enjoy the beauty and interest that is all around me.
Another thing I don’t do enough of is to look up…you would be amazed at what you can miss if you don’t look up!
We tested this theory out a few days ago, when we were in the city, and discovered some gorgeous old buildings and street art we had no idea were there…yet we have walked passed them many, many times!
Like this amazing piece of street art…
Or these beautiful old buildings…how I adore this city…
Or how amazing this cloud looks with the sun shining on it…
So my aim for the next few days, is to turn off my screens and put my cameras down…to find a nice, warm spot tucked away in the winter sun…and to just stop…breathe…look….absorb.
Are you on holidays too?
Do you plan to sit and relax for a while or will it be all go, go, go?
Do you know how to relax or are you like me and hate to waste a second…share in the comments below!
It can be so hard to slow down if you only have a few days to do it. Our weekend in Byron a few weeks ago was a bit like that but I did manage – by leaving my phone at home and just making myself take mental snapshots instead. It was so peaceful and quiet. Make sure you bury your toes in the sand no matter how chilly it might be – it’s good for the soul!
Enjoy your break lovely x
Thanks Amy! I just love escaping to the beach, even in winter. The salt air does wonders and I agree about burying my toes into the sand! xx
Enjoy these few days off hun. I am hopeless at relaxing.. I just can’t sit still and like you I am guilty of seeing but not really seeing all the beauty around me. It is something I am working on – being more present. Have a great break lovely xx
Thanks Sonia! It is so nice to breathe in the fresh air, and be outside, even if it is cold! But I am definitely struggling with the sitting still part… xx
I definitely need to stop and breathe more. The funny thing is, I think when we do slow down and stop the mental check list, we aren’t any less productive, just less stressed about it. Enjoy your break.
Thanks Robyna! I am lucky that I don’t get particularly stressed, it’s more the awareness of how life can be cut short in an instant due to some experiences I have had. It’s hard to stop when you don’t want to waste a minute…but I am trying! 🙂
I hear you on that one 🙂
Enjoy your break just being… I need to plan such a break very soon but right now I’m trying to maximise every moment to get everything done.
Thanks! Hope you can have a break very soon…I can recommend it! 🙂