A little break can often do a lot of good, as I just discovered, having returned from a short trip to the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. One might argue that a new place and new surroundings are a great way to unwind anyway, but what I found out was that more than anything, it was actually getting away from our daily routine which made the real difference. It was a last minute decision to get away from the city’s chaos mainly to escape the noise and the pollution of Diwali, but it is amazing how even a short 3-day break can work wonders for our mind, body and soul.
On Day One of the holiday I woke up very early (true to my routine) only to remind myself that I could very well do with a little lie-in for a little longer. So, not only did I wake up late, I also didn’t bother rushing through tasks, as I would otherwise do. There was a rough plan for the day ahead but most of the time, we went ahead with how our instincts led us. At a time when we’re usually busy juggling chores, handling meetings and calls, we were taking a leisurely stroll in the lush green lawns by the lagoon, soaking in the beauty and enjoying the unhurried pace of the day. Busy working on a lump of clay at the potter’s wheel, I was glad I didn’t have to worry about fixing breakfast, or cooking lunch and dinner over the next three days.What bliss!
It was such a relief that we had no deadlines to meet, and no chores to worry about. It was wonderful to switch off from the digital world and live in the moment. The time spent together as a family, undoubtedly, the best thing. With so much free time to think, I had plenty of exciting ideas for my writing and training projects coming up shortly. Ah, what a luxury, time was! I could savour every waking moment to enjoy that kind of luxury.
Now, I’m a great believer in the daily routine. To me, it is almost a ritual that keeps me sane because it keeps me on a schedule, on the task and keeps me moving when things get rough (which can be often). It also gives me my space and a structure to work within. But, the boring predictability of life can sometimes be a drag on the mind that constantly straddles between the twin worlds of personal and professional commitments.
Breaking the routine helped us come back with renewed zest and energy.
Just as, artists often break the rules — carefully and intentionally and create something new, different, and surprising, so is it with us. I feel sometimes life, energy, and creativity are found outside of our usual routine. Would you agree?
Some food for thought on a Monday morning.
Does a break from the routine make sense to you? Do you feel/think it is necessary to look for energy, creativity and life outside of our usual routine? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
********
(Linking this with #microblogmondays and #mondaymusings.)
Break is definitely a required thing- A slow moving day over the weekend gives me much needed peace. No rush to go anywhere calms my mind. Going to a park for a walk and to play with my Kid rejuvenates me. Out-of-town vacation is something I love to have twice a year – may be short ones. Glad you enjoyed your trip. Kerala is on my list too.
Yes, absolutely! A break is always needed no matter what we do! Kerala comes highly recommended from
me. If you love nature, nothing like it…kerala is THE place to be!
I lI’ve frequent breaks from routine.I am looking forward to my next break even as I write this.Lovely reading about your trip.
That’s nice, Dr Amrita. Wish you a lovely time on your next break. I’m sure you’ll come back rejuvenated too. Thanks for dropping by at Soul Talk 🙂
While structure and discipline are good, every once in a while I do think a break in the routine is very important. Weather you go off for a mini holiday or have a staycation, breaking from the routine allows you to come up with new ideas and creative solutions to problems. Sounds like you had a wonderful (and creatively productive) holiday! 🙂
Absolutely with you on that, Shinjini. I had a lovely time, thanks. Like you said, often I too have a staycation when I enjoy pottering about and doing simple everyday things at home. A break from the routine then too is what recharges me, then! And, it is so good for our creativity, as I discover every single time.
A short break is very helpful. Though I did not leave home, we did not stick to the routine and just did things as they went by. So, it was relaxing. But a change of scenery helps a lot.
I’m sure you enjoyed a lovely break at home too. You’re right, going by one’s instinct sometimes can be a very good idea. Reading your post made me think you had a lovely break too!
So glad you had a nice time. And I agree, a break can do wonders. I’m looking forward to one next week but M has fallen sick. I just hope she gets better so that we can go away from the city and just relax a bit, come back rejuvenated.
Yes, glad we did, despite my son coming down with fever on Day One.You’d think as they grow older they get better, sometimes things don’t change much, as I discovered. And, God forbid, if you ever forget any medicine, then, come what may, you will have a situation where you will be looking out for that very one to save you from crisis. I do hope and pray M gets better quickly and you all enjoy a lovely break. Fingers crossed!
Am glad you had a nice time on the trip. I saw the photographs on facebook and those were lovely. I can imagine what fun would it be to working with the potter’s wheel. I would like to try it out. If you ask me if a break from the routine makes sense to me and I would say definitely. But going on trips and vacations exhausts me. I have reached a point where i don’t want to go anywhere but just stay at home. I feel more at peace when I am at home rather than out there. Out there, it is loneliness for me which i have still not been able to decode why. As for the break from routine, for the reason that I do not have considerable engagements in my life, I am able to take my breaks often, like every alternate day. And what do I do with my charged up energy? I answer the never ending questions 🙂
Yes, thanks Anamika. I did. Actually we all did. Jay didn’t 0pen his laptop at all so it was a true break from gadgets for him too. Taking short breaks every now and then is a very good idea. I think it nurtures our creative brain to come up with good results when we do that regularly. An yes, I can imagine how you need a reservoir of energy in store for all those questions coming your way.Mind you, this is just the beginning. Exciting times ahead for you!