Take a Break

I don't do leisure well. I thought I did, and over the years I'd work really hard to orchestrate relaxing moments. A number of the blog posts in my archives have reflected the need for more time, taking a holiday, being on holiday or generally NEEDING a holiday. Two years post working life, however, it is obvious I've not learned the knack of taking a break. It's not a problem to stop for a bit, settle into a book or TV show, but before long the mind begins to wander, and virtual lists begin forming of all the things I "should" be doing rather than enjoying a bit of quiet time.

There is always something that needs to be done, isn't there? Short-term projects, long-term plans; dog hair that settles on furniture and floor five minutes after cleaning; never-ending tasks that ensure not being bored for a moment the rest of my life. And that's a good thing! Really! But aren't unread stories and jigsaw puzzles and time to blog also good things?

Once you've spent a number of years multitasking your life (manic-tasking?), you get into a routine of juggling duties alongside pleasures. It is little wonder that you could stop, cold-turkey, even when the need to multitask was no longer there. There is also a guilt that is associated with giving up the work force that makes you (or at least, me) feel like you have to produce to be viable. It's hogwash, I know, but it doesn't stop me from feeling it. It's a demon that wine is somewhat successful in squelching...but what squelches the demon wine? 

I think it comes down to compartmentalizing our thoughts, lists and actions to make room for relaxation and times of respite - and to do that without feeling guilty for not performing and producing ALL the time.The trick is...how?!?

Something that is related to the problem is over-scheduling ourselves. Being already over-scheduled in my work life, I didn't have a lot of time for lunches out, concerts, volunteering and a multitude of other fun activities. Once I "retired", the calendar was open for business, and it is still hard to say no to all the possibilities that present themselves. It's not a joke that I don't know when I ever found the time to work, as busy as I am now. It's clear that I must learn to protect my time and savor the quiet moments as much as I do the frenetic ones. Any suggestions on how that could be accomplished, guilt-free and with only moderate "medicinal" wine use?