So I'm back, having had time off work, blogging and the Internet over the Summer. It still feels weird to be typing away, but I'll get used to it again. As this is the first scheduled time away from Someplace Strange, I thought I'd share some of the lessons this taught me.
To quote Norman Stanley Fletcher from Porridge:
"What have I learned, Mr Mackay? ... All right. I'll just tell him three things. One - bide your time. Two - keep your nose clean. And three - don't let the bastards grind you down".
"What have I learned, Mr Mackay? ... All right. I'll just tell him three things. One - bide your time. Two - keep your nose clean. And three - don't let the bastards grind you down".
I missed blogging but ...
I love my beautiful space, and time away is great for coming up with new ideas. It's also great for getting some perspective, as life is so much more than numbers, follows etc. It was great spending time with Rev T, the Tubblet and our extended family in a brand new place.
Work isn't the be all and end all.
I'm career driven and like feeling I'm doing well in my job, but finding balance between work and life is equally important. No one died wishing they'd spent more time in the office. I want to look back and know that I'd worked hard but also had fun with my family.You've got to do what you've got to do.
It's easy to look at others think we ought to do that or be like that, but we're all different. What works for one family in their situation won't work for another. And that's okay. It isn't anyone else's business but yours.And lastly ...
It's okay to have a rest.
There's so much out there about working hard and achieving that implies you need to always be doing something, but having a rest is equally important. Working all the time just leads to tiredness and burnout. That's no fun.The old Mars slogan was right, we need to work, rest and play.
Have you taken time off recently? What did you do?
Sharing with all these great Linkys
Yes, love all these mottos. Just wish I could find time to take a break ;)
ReplyDeleteMe too! Sometimes I have to prioritise instead - another thing I'm not too good at! I hope you find time soon and thank you for commenting
DeleteIt is hard to take a break, I find it hard to break away from my blog, emails and twitter, but you are so right we need too #mummyandus
ReplyDeleteIt is hard! But worth it. Thank you for hosting each week
DeleteThese lines are perfect, every one of them!! Life is all about balance- work, hobbies, blogging, family, once the balance is lost there is a loss of inner peace. Some things take priority at times and that's the best we could do. And we often do forget to give ourselves a pat in the back.
ReplyDeleteWell I going for a 'Rest' soon with family and overnight camping trip in the desert.:)
Enjoy your rest! I'm sure it'll be wonderful and I look forward to reading about it
DeleteI slowed down on my blog over the summer too and was surprised to see that it didn't have a huge impact on views or visits. You are so right, when you look back are you going to remember the times that you spent working or the fun with your family?
ReplyDeleteBesides, if I don't have fun with my family, I have nothing to write about ...!
DeleteYou are right! We should have a balance. It is not all just the blog but also have some time to enjoy even more your family. I really need some holidays soon!! LOL Thanks for sharing, :-) x
ReplyDelete#AnythingGoes
http://www.amomentwithfranca.com/
Hope you get one!
DeleteI've been very quiet on the blogging front over the last few months - I have mainly been playing with Sprog and just chilling out for a change! #mummymonday
ReplyDeleteEnjoy and thank you for commenting
DeleteTaking a break is so important, to press pause and let your mind reset. I find it quite hard to come back to it all, but I think a break makes you appreciate balance all the more.
ReplyDeleteI agree :)
DeleteI get burned out so easily as I stay up so late to catch up with reading linkies. Don't get me wrong. I love reading them but it takes so much time and I need to do blogging too. last week, I have tried out just dedicating 1 whole day for reading and the rest of blogging. I works, but I am still burn out. I think it is because it has been accumulating it for a while now. Night night Mrs Tubbs. Great post by the way. xx
ReplyDeleteNight night!
DeleteI'm still new enough to blogging that I haven't taken a break from it yet, but I agree with the points you make in relation to my job - you definitely need that time away sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes
Debbie
Thank you for hosting each week
DeleteTotally agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI have been fairly absent on my blog over the summer and sometimes I have guilt for that but then remember why I blog, because I like to and if I haven't got anything to say there's no point churning out rubbish for the sake of it! x#allaboutyou
True this!
DeleteThat all sounds very positive. Perhaps I should have a wee blogging holiday. I worry if I took a break I might never find the time and energy to come back though.
ReplyDeleteYou say that and you've just gone self hosted?!
DeleteSummer is my busiest time with guests in the gite and the smallholding (animals/garden) but I have just booked a ferry trip to the UK in October .... and there will be no animals to look after, no gardens to tend and not much internet connection! #MyFavouritePost
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the break in the UK :)
DeleteI actually took a week off and went to the beach last month. No blogging, writing or working. Family, sun and sand. It really did relax me. I'm just looking forward to my next break which is not scheduled until April. However, maybe I can do a quick getaway in January for my birthday. Great post! Sending you positive thoughts from #AnythingGoes Link-up.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely try and sneak something in if you can :)
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