In pursuit of time

It's been a minute or two since I've been away on a vacation of any kind, two whole years! That's far too long.

There's good reasons for not being able to take a vacation...hmm, well nah not really any 'good' reasons at all, just 'reasons'. Work commitments and other personal aspects and responsibilities of life in general have meant I've been unable to sneak away for any time at all and it's not good, it's bad. Prioritising work means I'm not prioritising my personal life and when that combines with complexities in my personal life which ultimately effect my enjoyment of life itself...nope, not good.

Over the last several days I've been looking for time, five or six days, in which I want to schedule in a little getaway, camping in the wilderness. I came up with the plan in a moment of brilliance...ok, not really, I came up with the plan because I recognised that I'm bordering on burnout, I can feel it, and a camping trip away from work, people and technology is what I need. I travel a lot for work but that's not the same as a vacation, in fact it's all that travel that adds to the problem. Furthermore, due to other things I don't openly say on Hive I find I'm dissatisfied with how much 'life' I'm allowing myself, enjoyment, relaxation and 'me time', which needs to be rectified. I think it's important to read the signs and react to them; one only has one ride on the merry-go-round right?

The difficulty I've had is finding five to six days in a row for the trip, there's always something that stands in the way: A personal appointment or commitment, work things (my work is super-demanding and complex), timing around other people's needs...it's been impossible to find the time but I'm not one to give up and so I keep working the problem and know that I'll come up with a solution.

To say, 'I need several days in a row to myself (my life) with my partner' would be an understatement but it's often so difficult to make it happen; I mean for me and others as well. When did life get so complicated and when did one of my major goals become the pursuit of time?

Have you ever realised you require a break from work, everyday life and commitments, and decided to leave it all behind for a period of time? Those breaks we take to recharge are so important for our wellbeing I think. Have you felt the need and had difficulties finding the time to make it a reality, and if you actually found the time what was the effect of the break upon you moving forward? Feel free to comment if you'd like.