January 16, 2012

Just Breathe: ROW80 Check In

Taking time to smell the roses, to take a deep breath of life, is important. This is day three of my five days of getting away. I can say I've finally decompressed. My body has accepted the time difference and altitude change, sea level all the way to 9,600 feet and back to 5,495. I can finally breathe, figuratively and literally.

Breckenridge, Colorado
I wish I had something more profound to say about the need to relax. Something that would convince people like me, the ones that really need it. If you are wondering who people like me are, feel free to jump over to my post about Embracing Couches.

Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to the moment my kids run to me at the airport. I'll get a kiss from hubby, and everyone will tell me how much they've missed me. I'm not foolish enough to believe I've acquired the magic key to balance while away. Nor am I foolish enough to believe my kids' promise to stop fighting if I'll just come home.

One commitment I have made to myself this year is to enjoy life, to find a balance between what I love to do and who I love to do it for. Sometimes the best way to start is to reboot. Clear the mind of clutter. I didn't realize how much mental clutter I had accumulated.

Interesting thing about taking a break, the world didn't stop spinning. These few days of getting away have been my clutter cleanse. No crazy juice diets for me... just a few days with girlfriends.

I only hope I can bring my lessons home with me, and not let myself get caught back up in the web of life. Or at least not caught up enough that I can't figure out how to break free when necessary.

What clears your mind and allows you a chance to breathe?

ROW80 Update

I'm so proud of my progress this week, yet I've written few words. I've done tons of reading and lots of laughing and bonding. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I managed to prewrite posts and keep things running, but I've really disconnected from social media. I've realized, and it was quite the eye-opener, how much time I spend on Facebook, Twitter, emails, etc.

While I've been away, I have spent thirty minutes in the mornings and one hour during the evenings checking in. Guess what? I used my time effectively and did what I really needed to. I didn't have time to get distracted, because I wanted to get to the best distraction of all... fun.

Hoping everyone had a great week. I'm off to spend thirty minutes checking on all of you. See you Wednesday!

14 comments:

Yolanda Early said...

Yay Tia! Glad to see you're getting some play in. Fun is a necessity after all. ;)

Shan Jeniah Burton said...

So very glad you're off having fun! May you bring home and keep the spirit of fun and delight and balance. =)

alberta ross said...

well done - leaving cyberspace behind is hard - I only managed it by not taking it with me - hope all the laughter has swept away the cobwebs and left you all shiny new

all the best

Eden Mabee said...

Tia, you are ....delightful. Mm, can just savor part of your escape from here. Thank you for posting this and reminding me that it's not desperate to "do it all."

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're having a great time and decompressing. We all have to do that at times, especially with social media. I don't think we can truly see the reality of SM (twitter, facebook, etc) until we've over-used it and then put it aside for a few days. As you said, the world doesn't stop spinning, but perhaps, ours starts again.

Have a fantastic week :)

Tia Bach said...

Yolanda, Shan, Alberta, Eden & Gene. Thanks! It's been a nice reprieve. I'm so energized to get back into the swing of things.

Hope you all had a productive week!

Anonymous said...

That sounds like heaven. If you figure out the stop fighting cure please pass it on, LOL

Congrats on your week. Wishing you the best as you return to the grindstone :)

Wendy Jane said...

Sounds like a great getaway. Congrats on that. It's hard to take time off and actually enjoy it. Have a wonderful time!

Tia Bach said...

Raelyn, If I figure out the stop fighting cure, I'll be a millionaire because every parent needs a copy of the plan. ;-)

Wendy, Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

your trip sounds so ideal - i love displacing myself and realigning! best of luck in your goals this week :)

-gina

Jaleh D said...

Glad you're having all that fun! The writing can wait a few days.

Em said...

Sounds like you are having a much needed break! It is so true that physically disconnecting can make you realise things about your life that you want to alter for the better.

Enjoy the rest of your time away and your homecoming!

Kim Switzer said...

So glad you're having a wonderful time!

You asked what gives us a chance to breathe. For me, limiting social media time and just internet time in general is so liberating! I am working at it. Sometimes I get it right, some days I spend way too much time browsing around the internet. I can feel the difference, too. When I've been too much online, I feel disconnected from the world around me. So that's my take on breathing space--step away from the virtual world and connect with the real world, read a book, watch TV and knit while visiting with my sweetie, bake some muffins, paint a picture. The real, tangible world helps me breathe.

Have a great week!

Tia Bach said...

Thanks for all the support. Disconnecting was much-needed for me. I hope I learned a lesson!