In just two days, I will be boarding a plane to consciously escape routines, work, obligations and this damp Ohio winter. This trip has been on the calendar for 12 months as a priority, but it wasn’t until this week that I so suddenly realized how badly I needed it. You see, I have been one very busy lady in these first 2 months of 2012 — creating a new web site, launching my bestselling book, traveling to Columbus for NSA Protrack professional speaker training, giving new speeches all around town and delivering new classes too. All this new stuff! No wonder my head spins. Funny how someone who teachings the wonders of energy self-care and balance finds herself out of breath more often than she likes! That’s life isn’t it?
What have I learned from all of this that can help you?
• Plan your escapes, before you know you will need them. So glad I chose to book my vacation so long ago. Take a look at your calendar TODAY and see what you might choose to plan for a restorative vacation, long weekend or mini-retreat. Hold that date now and make the necessary reservations. This is a worthy act of self-love and self-care.
• Pace your goals and accomplishments so that everything doesn’t hit at once. This is a virtue and an art. As I mentioned, it is something I personally need to work on!
• Give yourself space to rest, reflect and connect with your wise inner advisor. Creativity flows when you take time to get away. Don’t think this must be a vacation. Morning journal time or a nice walk in nature is ideal for this kind of mini escape too.
• Invite others to escape with you. Are you hearing stories of stress and exhaustion from friends or family members you care about? How about instigating something fun and restorative for both of you? Imagine the beautiful bonds of friendship that can be nurtured through escape. Pick up the phone and get this conversation started.
Don’t let an extreme spiritual or physical crisis bring you to the point of finally take that time off. Choose to say “no”, “later” or “next time” and own your calendar when it comes to that escape.
If you are a woman who needs an escape soon, consider joining me May 18-20 at Lakeside on Lake Erie (a magical place I wrote about in my book) for an escape. There’s even an option to come up for a single day in case your life is extra hectic. Send an email to betsy@theindigoconnection.com if you would like the details.
