Winding Down

It’s a late night for me and we’re less than seven days away from the next “holiday”. I can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed. I was hoping that I could start to unwind from all of my major projects before leaving for break, but it seems like all of my work is only ramping up as I get closer to turkey day. I’m looking forward to the much needed time off but I’m afraid that once it gets here I won’t get to enjoy it fully because of all the irons in the fire at work. I’ve been in back to back meetings for the past several days, which hasn’t left enough time to focus on the actual work. A part of me is wondering if it even makes sense to travel home. I’ll get there, blink then I’ll be due back before I know it. Then I remember why I want to go home: to lay eyes on my folks.

They’ve been calling more often lately, needing help with things that can only be remedied in person. The list of to-do items that I have to handle when I get there is growing by the day. I’ve been pretty firm about what I can and can’t take on, but there’s always this little voice in the back of my head that says “you know why they’re calling you, just suck it up and deal”, and I do. I remind myself that I don’t get to see them often. I just have to make sure I am setting boundaries. I’m feeling burnt out now and don’t want to be run down during the break. Aside from seeing the fam, I’ve been daydreaming about going to all of my old stomping grounds. I have a taste for a prickly pear margarita and quesadilla from one of my favorite spots and there’s a bowl of the best cream of wheat I’ve ever tasted with my name on it at another spot. I’ve also been hearing rave reviews about new eateries that have been recommended for me to try. I know I’ll be bouncing around a lot from house to house for turkey day dinners, so I’m trying to plan accordingly.

I’m determined to keep my fitness routine going while I’m away, so I did locate my gym in limited locations back home. That’ll be priority after the holiday to balance out all of the gluttony that I am certain will take place. There are relatives I didn’t get to see on my last trip that I need to see this time around. All the kiddies will be home so I’ll need to make my rounds. Will this trip be restful? Probably not so much, which is why I’m hoping to wind things down a bit here before I embark on the journey home. There’s only so much I can get done between now and next Wednesday morning. I really only have this weekend to get everything in order and to pack and plan.

I’m trying to make it a habit to regularly unplug and unwind. I’ve written down a list of days to be off in the upcoming months, even if I don’t go anywhere. I recognize the need to nourish the softer side of me. That side of me needs to be re-awakened and reminded how lovely rest and rejuvenation is. The same way I work and play hard, I want to approach rest with the same tenacity. I smile on the inside when I think of my time away from work. Has it really come to this? Constantly needing an escape from everyday life? I want to be more intentional when it comes to planning my time off. I want to ease into those days instead of going into them frazzled and haggard.