How to Have a Holiday!

I just returned from a holiday. I highly recommend taking a pre-Christmas break!

Christmas can be so stressful - the people, the endless list of things to do, to get, to buy and to think about.

Even if you have the most low-key Christmas planned there is the parking, the queues and the other stressed people to deal with.

I hope you have some time away. Maybe you are staying home but you at least get a break away from your normal routine to take some time to reset and reconnect to yourself.

If you are 'getting away', I think it's worth considering what type of holiday you are having. Years ago, we renamed our family holiday as a field trip! The idea of holidays sounded like we were going to relax, we were going to have time to read books and slowly sip wine. The reality was we were chasing, negotiating and managing four children. I spent the whole time organising meals and chasing with sunscreen and picking up lost sun hats and wet swimwear. 

Knowing what type of holiday you are heading into and setting expectations is a great way to set your holiday up for success. Even the conversation with others of what are you planning to do, what do you want to do and what will make this holiday a success for you are things worth considering.

Last week, I packed all my favourite things for my trip, my favourite pen, my favourite bag, my favourite coloured clothes - all things that make me happy. 

I also needed to bring with me the permission to relax, to switch off and to disconnect from all the demands on my energy and my mind.

Sometimes the person we need permission from is ourselves. Permission to do what you want, to eat what you want, to move away from the daily disciplines and rules that we create for your lives.

We need to give ourselves permission to rest, to restore our energy. This is not possible when you are feeling guilty - permission to pause is the best gift to give yourself at this time of year.