Seaside special: A change is as good as a rest
This week I am on holiday in Cornwall which is in the South West of the UK and a popular holiday destination, especially now that we cannot travel overseas for holidays. I have been coming here for many years and love it dearly. The roads are narrow, a great test of driving skills and patience as you reverse back down winding lanes to get in out of the way of an advancing bus or tractor.
There are many sandy beaches and little coves and on sunny days it’s like being in your own little piece of heaven.
Cornwall is famous for Cornish pasties, cream teas, ice cream and fudge. You can tell this is not the place to come if you are watching the calories. This week I have decided to go with the flow and enjoy the local food and candies. Surprisingly good are the local wines which are grown in gorgeous little vineyards tucked down leafy lanes alongside burbling streams.
I have been reminding myself this week too of the importance of time out. Giving the mind an essential break away from the relentless thinking, planning, preparing that goes on inside your head every day of the week. It’s like being in a never ending chess game, planning many moves ahead on the chess board of being in business, planning and replanning as things change and shift. Like many of us I have found myself having walked somewhere and then completely unaware of the getting there because the mind has been so occupied.
Taking time away to metaphorically wrap a cool towel around your mind and just drift away into peace and relaxation. I have to own up, I am not very good at this and over the years have worked through at least part of every holiday. I then hear myself encouraging others to take a complete break. So, I am throwing myself in to the holiday this week. I find myself staring at the waves breaking on the beach and realise that after some time I haven’t thought of very much at all. I am missing the busyness of the working week but there is no doubt about it, taking time out for all of us is essential. Giving our minds and bodies some much needed rest to recover, be ready and match fit for the times ahead.
I know I am writing this blog on holiday but for me it is like writing a postcard to colleagues at work. Do people still do that, write postcards? It was something we always did up until some years ago to look at fondly and remember the break away when back in the office as they were often put up on the fridge in the office kitchen or on a notice board.
Well, I am going back to my book. Maybe I will have a swim in the 16 degree sea a little later. It’s like a thousand tiny pins and needles attacking you when you get in the water but goodness me you feel refreshed afterwards.
If you have a vacation coming up soon, I wish you a happy holiday. Do take time out to recuperate and rest.
Wishing you a restful weekend ahead. See you back in the office. Keep safe and well.