This week I’ve struggled with my topic of downtime. So many judgements about what I should be doing and when. Such contrast to last week’s blog where I talked about the routines that give me structure. I guess I’m not as comfortable with my downtime as I am with my routine of work!

My first big road trip many years ago was when my children were small. At the last minute I found out it was not going to be a family trip after all – I was the only driver. The plan was to drive to set points and then take breaks. All went well until I was about 20kms from the rest points. I just could not make it that last little bit. And so our stops were in the middle of nowhere while I rested for a few minutes, the children could run around a bit and before long we were on the road again. If I’d taken the breaks when they “should” have been taken our trip might have been memorable in a whole other (disastrous) way!

Who decides when downtime is “inappropriate”? I remember I would read a book until it was finished. No housework got done, the children basically looked after themselves, and meals were very simple. I don’t think I moved until that book was finished. Luckily I’m a quick reader and it would only be two or three days before I was ready to go back to doing the responsible things I should have been doing! By then I was ready, my energy was back and all was well. The world did not fall apart, everything still got done and everyone was happy.

How often I deem my downtime as inappropriate! And yet I know that I am so much better when I’ve had the break I’ve needed. I still sometimes stop for a rest break on a long trip, and there are big days when I’m in bed by 8.30pm. I’ve learned that if I wait until it’s “appropriate” I am unproductive, unfocused and not a nice person to be around. Everyone is better off when I take time out when I need it!

 

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