Having recently had two weeks holiday off work it felt like a much-needed break. Which seems silly considering we had a three-month break-off work during the lockdown. But as mentioned in my previous blog (heading back to reality) going back to work and going back to a semi-normal life brought stresses that I really wasn’t expecting; anxiety that I hadn’t felt before. But with that came a realisation. 

My two weeks off had not only given me some wonderful memories and some great times with family, friends and my partner but they had also given me time to relax. Time to really relax. Time to realise that I may have been struggling before. Realising that I hadn’t been giving myself enough time to stop, to really relax or to just chill! 

Of course, being on holiday has that benefit. You have more time for yourself, more time to enjoy plans without rushing around, time to do what you want, simply just having more time. So why can’t I bring that into the everyday life of work and plans? 

I can. And I will. 

I’ve come to realise that time is what I need to give myself, time. Not just when I’m off or on holiday, but throughout work and the busyness of daily life. Time to stop. To give myself ‘me’ time. If that means having a bath, reading a book or just simply sitting down away from my devices. These moments are important and it’s only now I’ve come to see this. Now looking back, I see I wasn’t making enough time for this and I didn’t quite have the right balance. 

It’s easy to put our own self-care into a back seat, continuing on through busy daily life not having a real chance to really stop. Until the day it builds up and everything just seems a little bit too much. It’s easy to do, I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this. We may put others first, or make plans without realising how busy our schedules are getting until you realise you haven’t had an evening in at home on your own in a while. So why not schedule our own time in? Time for ourselves. Let’s be a little selfish! Let’s enjoy our own company and give ourselves time to do what we want.

Stopping to have some moments of peace. A moment to think. A moment to really relax.

I don’t know much about mental health, as it’s never been something I’ve ever had to think about before, but now I can see just how much mental health plays an enormous part in our daily lives. Something that we can easily take for granted, through the chaos that can be everyday life.

You might have days off, evenings not doing a lot, or weeks without many plans. But do you really make time for yourself? Do you have those quiet moments and to really relax? Time for yourself.

I for one know I’m very guilty of not doing it; it’s easy not to do. I used to make sure I had plenty of plans for my days off from work, making sure I always had something planned to look forward to. Always making sure I could make time to see family and catch up with friends whilst I actually do have the time off. As my manager says, ‘I’m a social butterfly’ as I ask for another request for an early shift because I’ve planned to see friends for dinner that evening.

As anyone working shift partners will know, your days off are sacred, your days off change from week to week. One week you could be off Monday and Tuesday, then the next, Friday and Saturday, it varies but of course, it can have its perks too. Having a weekend off is something you especially treasure, along with evenings off, compared to some of the 11 pm finishes, as I drive home with squinty eyes. 

This brings the constant dilemma of being torn between wanting to make plans to use your time off wisely, not wanted to not make any plans to really have an evening to really chill. It’s something I struggle with but something that I am also learning to accept. It’s ok to not have any plans at all. It’s ok to take time out for yourself.

I’ve always loved making and having plans. Having something to look forward to has always been something I’ve done and enjoyed; this will never change. I will still always be that social butterfly. Only now do I know that I can have both. To have both an exciting social life with plans but also to have the time to relax and to have no plans. It’s all about the balance. 

So of course, I will continue to see friends and family when I can! They’re some of my favourite times! But now I promise to also give myself days or evenings to myself! Days to relax, to do nothing and to have a Netflix binge if I want too! It’s time to find the balance. 

Look after yourselves and take time for you.

Amy x