Life has a way of developing complexity, especially for me. I’ve been retired for 4 months now. It’s very easy to find ourselves becoming tangled in numerous responsibilities as we grow and develop, and of course, for the most part, this is self-directed. Raising a family, working a job, putting down our name on a house, planning for the future, and keeping up a social life, we have so many things to do and such little time to do it in.
For that reason, sometimes every part of us seems to say without warning “Now is the time for a break.” If you find that you’ve been burning out as of late, struggle to hold the same motivation you used to, or perhaps you’re just a little time running around at a million miles per hour, it can be worth considering how, exactly to take a break from everything.
This doesn’t mean you need to remove all of those essential privileges we’re all happy to have, rather you can spend a little time disconnecting and seeing your situation from a whole new perspective. Then, when you return, you’ll feel so much better for the effort. But how does this work in practice? In this post, we’ll discuss all of that and more:
Consider A Weekend Rural Getaway
Sometimes, we just need a change of environment to help us feel refreshed and rejuvenated once more. This can be achieved in one of several ways, but often escaping to the countryside is as magical as it gets. Returning to nature can feel invigorating, especially after weeks in an office or stuck in traffic on a commute. You might invest in hybrid campers that allow you all the freedom of camping with all the convenience you still want to retain. Or, you could rent out a cottage for the weekend, or even stay with a friend. Just make sure to take those slow walks in nature, let it restore you.
Take A Digital Detox & News Break
How often did the news contribute to your life in the last month? Perhaps there were one or two local news stories of interest, or perhaps a couple of updates in your professional space or industry, but since then, nothing. Yet many of us have the constant pull to read the news, to refresh the timeline, and to try to connect with the world outside. But the truth is, we don’t need to know everything, and being subject to a million different opinions, debates and difficulties can wear us down over time. That’s why it’s so worthwhile to take that digital detox, and benefit as a result. Uninstall those apps for a month, and see how much more rejuvenated you feel.
Reassess Your Direction
“Just change your entire life, bro!” It’s easy to sound like that when someone tells you to reconsider the makeup of your day to day living, or to think about your next step. But sometimes, it can be healthy to consider why you need a break from everything. Perhaps you’re a nurse, but the clinic you work in is understaffed and overbearing, and you’re desperate to transfer. Perhaps now is the time to process that request. Maybe you feel unsupported in a relationship. Instead of hiding from your partner, having a mature conversation with them about your feelings could be better. Sometimes, to take a break, we need to address the difficulty head on. Having the courage to do so can be the comforting separation you’ve needed.
With this advice, you’re certain to take a break from everything in the best possible way.
