Stop the Madness and Have Fun

If you were to strike up a conversation about taking time off to do something fun or relaxing, I bet you would be surrounded by people with a “deer caught in the headlights” type of glance.

We have become a society filled with doers. People who must keep busy at all costs. If they are busy with tasks, they can talk themselves into believing that they are working hard. And working hard fills them with a sense of purpose and worth.

In recent years, I have taken a step back and reevaluated my approach to many of the tasks I involve myself with in regard to the workings of my business. And I was often doing things for no other reason than to convince myself that I was indeed working hard because I was busy and didn’t have time to take a break. When in fact I could get the things that truly needed to get done in a lot less time if I just worked more efficiently. And with efficiency came extra time for other things.

I was able to find time to spend a few hours visiting with my father each week. I could spend time with my husband outside in our back yard discussing ways we could improve our landscaping. I was able to spend more time reading a book for fun or watching an episode of “Gilmore Girls.” I love that show…guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

Other things that I have discovered has to do with my flow of creativity. I have been working over the past year on a digital course. And as I work on it, I will eventually hit a wall where things just aren’t flowing. It’s a struggle and no fun at all. I would say it becomes wasted time. I have learned that when I am beginning to feel that way, its time to take a break. Go take a walk. Call a friend and visit for a while. And when I really feel jammed. I’ve even taken a few days away to forget about it all. And wouldn’t you know it…as I’m “on a break” I will have a brilliant epiphany and get motivated once again to continue with my course.

I even went as far as taking a weeklong vacation with my husband this year to get away and recharge. A I have to say it was wonderful. We had so much fun lounging, laughing, and living while we were away. And I believe with ever fiber in me that I am healthier mentally and physically for doing so. Studies, as recent as August of this year, have come out to say that feeling like leisure is wasteful and unproductive may lead to less happiness and higher levels of stress and depression. (Science Daily, Source – Ohio State University, August 23, 2021).

Especially with the way of the world for the past 18+ months, we have all been mentally stressed whether we realize it or not. And that does not bode well for a healthier you. Being able to step away at times and take a leisurely break is a good thing. Whether it is for 10 minutes or 10 days. For me, it was nice to get confirmation of what I have found to be true in my life. Where do you land with the idea of leisure? A waste of time? Or worth it?