Timeout for Me time

In the modern world today, we've learned to spend much of our time working and very little time on ourselves. Somehow, our priorities tend to be security and financial comfort. It comes with a price: work hard, work long hours, and "me time" is purely a luxury.

Maybe Covid taught us to slow down, and that became our spiritual lesson. I know many of us truly enjoyed this time "off," where the world slowed down and almost came to a standstill. It was a very special time, some of my friends would say, and I couldn't agree more.

But as soon as we went back to "normal," it's almost as if many of us started working even more and harder, perhaps feeling like we needed to make up for lost time.

We fell right back into where we were, a pattern of ambition, drive, and striving to "produce," if one can call it that.

Naturally, many lost a great deal of financial comfort and lived off their savings during lockdown, me included, as not everyone had the will or capability to work online or even the knowledge on how to do so.

So when things opened up again, and we could move freely once more, the rat race was in full power, and we find ourselves heading for a highway to burnout.

Taking time out for self-care and introspection has become increasingly essential. It is not a luxury but rather a necessity. Sustainable living is about taking time out, pausing, and disconnecting to recharge.

One of my personal tools to do so is to get away. No, not to run away from duty and responsibilities, but to plan and organise my "me time."

Recently, I went to Vietnam with my best travel partner: myself. Not that I don't enjoy travelling with others, but sometimes I just need that time on my own. And to be honest, when I travel by myself, it's a totally different experience than when I travel with someone. I tend to meet more people, make new friends, be completely "self-full" (I love that word, as opposed to selfish, which has more of a negative tone), focus on my own needs, and follow my own rhythm.

I ticked all the boxes for my trip: culture, nature, inspiration, new acquaintances, silence, new horizons, and contemplation. I walked endlessly throughout the days, wandering and exploring. At the end of my trip, I checked myself into a Buddhist monastery, which was so needed and something I had longed for a while. My trip was complete.

I felt that I had created my own little retreat plan because, to me, a retreat offers a unique opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of daily routines, providing a space to rejuvenate, reflect, and reconnect with myself.

Not only did I get to see another part of Vietnam that I was not familiar with, but I gained what I was looking for: a recharge and feeling inspired in so many ways, new ideas for Ubuntu, gaining clarity on my next steps in life, not having to reply and be there for anyone except myself (this is rare...). I cannot claim I got a lot of physical rest, as I feel that is just not me. I tend to need to move my body. But indeed, I did got mental rest, and that is crucial for my well-being.

I tend not to leave my house without a pen and paper in my bag. You never know when the floodgates open for inspiration, in the most peculiar moments, and I do need to write it all down. I write down my dreams and goals, my thoughts and feelings. My notebooks are something between project notes, new ideas, and a diary with some poems in between.

When I travel and take myself out of my day-to-day routines and projects, I almost feel like a child, curious and open to anything fun and exciting, learning, observing, exposed to new experiences. The inner child goes wild and enthusiastic as each day brings a new adventure.

If I see someone or something that catches my attention, I will stop in my tracks to take it all in, and more often than not, I will start a conversation with a complete stranger. Before I know it, I am engaged in a conversation, learning about something new. As far as I can remember, I always travel back home with a few newfound friends that I had felt connected with and, most certainly, feel lucky to have crossed paths with.

Time out can be a game-changer. It can be so nourishing and revitalising that I never look back at that "me time" as a waste of time or fail to see its purpose. Simply said, I always gain from it.

In summary, taking time for ourselves is not a waste of time but a valuable investment. It enables us to reconnect with our inner selves, find inspiration, and forge new paths. By prioritising self-care and creating moments of retreat, we can navigate life's demands with greater balance and fulfilment.