I know that the title of this post sounds like a paradox, however sometimes i really have difficulty learning how to rest, even on a holiday. Being able to sit down, eat, and drink a coffee at a leisurely pace seems so foreign.
It is difficult to stop my mind from wandering through my to-do list- what should I do next, is there something I’m missing, is there some work I can squeeze in whilst waiting for the next appointment to get to ?
Even on a holiday- I’m wondering if I’m “doing enough” — seeing enough sights, visiting enough places— which is so strange because the point of a holiday is to be able to take a break, chill from the hustle and grind.
People have suggested to me to learn how to “do nothing”- to chill, and to perhaps watch some tv?
While sitting at Brother Marcus at Covent Garden, waiting for my dance class, I was enjoying my sweet potato fritters, but I was also thinking about whether I had “optimised my day” to the best that I could. I had to backtrack and tell myself that it’s ok to not pack my schedule full with things, and that it’s ok to leave space for exploration as well. It’s also ok to leave a chunk of time blank just to “do nothing”, and perhaps reflect on the past week or month, and be grateful for a time of rest, or just be present !
I’m not sure if anyone else faces the same issue of finding it difficult to just “do nothing” as well— I always am on the go, needing to do more— so it has been a new experience learning how to rest !
During my previous holidays, I used to pack about 5-10 things to do in a day, and would be exhausted after. This trip, I intentionally left two half days of free time. I did have a list of things that I could possibly do during this time, but left the schedule empty till the day of, so I could decide what I would like to do on the day instead ! It allowed for more free time to explore the areas I visited, and explore at a more leisurely pace as well.
If you’re one to always pack your schedule and you’re struggling with something similar to myself, just remember it’s ok not to see ALL the sights, and eat all the things, and just experience the new country at your own pace!
Happy travels!
