Holidays are wonderful.
A change of scenery, a break from routine, time away from normal responsibilities but somewhere along the way, many of us have started expecting quite a lot from them.
Managing expectations.
We expect one week away to undo months of being busy. We expect to arrive tired and come home completely refreshed. We expect a holiday to fix the fact that we have been running on empty for weeks.
That’s quite a big responsibility for seven days.
And the reality is that holidays are still real life.
Someone has to pack, someone has to remember the chargers. Someone has to sort the dog, the passports, the sun cream, the washing, the travel plans and the “just in case” items that may never leave the suitcase.
Then, when we arrive, it can take a few days simply to slow down and just as we start relaxing, we find ourselves saying:
“I can’t believe we go home soon.”
This isn’t about not appreciating holidays. It’s about not making them responsible for all of our rest because rest works best when we build it into ordinary life.
How do we do things differently?
Not by adding another job to the to-do list or trying to create the perfect self-care routine, just making a few small changes before we reach the point where we desperately need a holiday.
Give yourself permission to have quieter moments during normal weeks.
Protect the occasional evening where nothing needs to be achieved. Not every spare hour has to be productive.
Take small breaks before you’re exhausted.
We often wait until we’re completely running on empty before we stop. A ten-minute walk, sitting in the garden with a cup of tea or reading a chapter of a book won’t replace a holiday, but done regularly they help stop your batteries reaching empty.
Notice when you’re thinking, “I’ll do that after the holiday.”
If it’s something that would genuinely help you feel calmer, more organised or more rested, ask yourself whether there’s a smaller version you could do this week instead.
The small moments matter.
They might not feel as exciting as a holiday, but they stop us reaching the point where we desperately need one.
We’re not aiming for perfect.
The aim isn’t to create a perfect routine. Most people don’t have unlimited time, quiet mornings and completely clear diaries. Real life is busy but looking after yourself shouldn’t only happen when you finally get a week away.
Your everyday life deserves moments of breathing space too.
Enjoy the holiday.
Look forward to it.
Make memories.
But don’t ask one week of the year to do all the work.
Rest isn’t something we save up. It’s something we need to invest in regularly.
