When you just can’t

Sometimes, the weight of the world feels like it's pressing down on you so hard that all you want to do is vanish. Not in a dramatic, attention-seeking way, but to simply cease to be available, to escape the relentless demands, the constant noise, and the sheer exhaustion of it all. Does this sound familiar?

Maybe it's because it's mental health awareness month, or because I'm headed out of office on vacay next week, but notably, in the last couple of weeks I've encountered numerous persons (including myself), whose bodies and minds aren't just telling us to slow down, but are forcing a stop. Recognising when our bodies and brains are dealing with multiple emergencies at the same time is not always obvious. Knowing that we need to step back and give ourselves a moment (even when the family, workplace and friends are screaming full speed ahead!) is crucial, as it can be too easy to lose sight of our own limits sometimes don’t you think? 

Whether you're juggling bad news, sickness, health concerns, deadlines, family responsibilities or personal challenges, the chances are that you are simultaneously also trying to maintain a facade of competence and composure that fits the curated version of yourself. We can be our own worst enemies sometimes, and our good intentions can mean pushing ourselves harder and harder until the pressure becomes unbearable or we have damaged important relationships in the process or even neglected some really important tasks. While a testament to our capacity for endurance, when our physical, emotional and/or mental reserves are depleted, time out now can save us (and those we love) from longer term impacts. 

First and foremost this is not a sign of failure, poor time management, or a lack of hustle. Maybe your mind is a relentless producer of good ideas or your passion and commitment feels unstoppable or maybe your line manager places endless pressure on you to optimize and maximize (read: your high performance and hard work are met with yes…even more hard work). Eventually though something may have to give! Recognising this need is a strength! So…what’s the absolute minimum you need to do right now? Which good idea can you safely delete from that to-do list (forever)? Think ruthless re-prioritisation! Because, sometimes, growth and impact comes not from pushing harder and trying to do more, but from having the energy to stop and refocus on what truly matters! (Read: Number one on that list, should be you!) 

Deciding to disappear from your usual routine(s) can be a strange feeling, if you've ever hit the internal reset button, you may be familiar with that moment where your phone stops buzzing, your to-do list evaporates, and the expectations of others fades momentarily into the background. It's heavenly. And if you've never hit that reset button before, be warned, it can be kinda jarring as even if for just a brief, period, there's no need to be on, there's no performance to deliver, no social mask to wear. Just silence and stillness. It's pretty profound and will most definitely stir up some interesting feelings and questions.

For me this means taking a long, silent walk by myself, in a quiet place, or simply closing my eyes and listening to music. For others, talking, or voicing feelings can lighten the load, for me, nah, not so much, I'm more of a do-er than a talker when it comes to self-care. The key though is to prioritise the self-care that is right for you. Whether it's getting sleep, eating well, taking a break from work, social media, news feeds, whatever is going to restore your balance. 

Feeling like you wish you could just disappear is a profound signal from your mind and body that you need a break, some space, and perhaps a moment to yourself. It's a reminder that even the strongest among us need time to recharge and reconnect with what truly matters! Somedays it's too easy to judge ourselves and assume everyone else has 'all their ducks in a row' but please don't. Instead focus your energy on what will nourish you and what you can let go of and do instead to bring restoration and balance back.

That said…see you in a few weeks! It’s time for me to take a break and recharge and replenish!

Air Travel Ballet

I consider myself a relatively rational human being and I definitely don’t understand the principles of aerodynamics, so as the luggage is pulled out for our upcoming trip let the air ballet warm-up begin! The priming begins pre-flight of course, there is so much to prepare for isn’t there? 

For a start surviving the first round of queues. Or, more accurately, a series of concentric circles of queues, each leading to, yes, another queue, all designed to funnel you, like a particularly bewildered sheep. It’s reminiscent of the good old Nokia snake game! (Note to self: Must pack the empty water bottle!)

Followed by the security tango. Shoes off, shoes on? Belt on, belt off? Dignity… well, let’s just say it’s temporarily ‘off’ as inevitably, someone, always forgets to take out their liquids, or bag the liquids according to some new rule (read: yes that’s me!) It’s like a tiny, repetitive drama playing out every few minutes. The audible sigh from the staff, the frantic rummaging, the triumphant extraction of a half-full bottle of water as the heat rises the suspense is quite unbearable!

After security comes freezing cold over-priced shopping, sipping and snacking as you saunter towards the gate. There's the predictable "How can I upgrade my seats?" conversations as the staff try to herd passengers promptly. The polite garbled announcement of "We invite passengers in group xyz” is, of course, universally interpreted as a call to stampede "EVERYONE TO THE FRONT AT ONCE, FIGHT FOR OVERHEAD BIN SPACE LIKE IT'S YOUR BIRTHRIGHT!" 

My personal favourite, "Sir, there is a problem with your carry-on, or, are you transporting a small, fully furnished studio apartment?" as the queue grows in length. Ah, boarding! The moment when the human spirit truly shines... or more accurately buckles under the weight of those oversized bags, enormous hats, guitars, duty-free purchases so vast they could furnish a small beach-bar, and the occasional miniature pet carrier (if I’m lucky). And so, after the inevitable checks that cause a delay (of course), there is a brief moment of an exhilarating thrust, and then… the gentle hum as we finally get airborne. 

However, it is a hum that rapidly morphs into a low drone, punctuated by the rustle of snack packs, the toilet door opening and closing, over-head bins opening and closing and the incessant, rhythmic thunk-thunk-thunk of the drinks trolley. The ‘service’ is, of course, a highlight of any flight. Even if you decline the food you are ensnared in the delicate dance of the flight attendant trying to serve drinks without spilling them down the aisles, attempts at movement at this time is absolutely futile! But perhaps the greatest amusement, comes from our fellow passengers. There’s the persons who cheer and clap when the plane takes off or lands (these are my people! I'm all about the applause. Jamaica wins the gold medal here, every time!) 

Eventually, we will be back on the tarmac, when up springs that one person who is convinced that the moment the wheels touch down, that the emergency exits will open instantly and they’ll be the first off the plane, straight onto the tarmac. 

At disembarkation, that glorious moment of arrival, the chaotic scramble in reverse begins again fuelled by a desperate dash for passport control, and the overwhelming urge to just breathe regular, unpressurised air. Air travel is a beautifully absurd, sometimes slightly stressful, utterly captivating ballet of human behaviour, bad coffee, and the occasional unexpected turbulence. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really have to start packing…Vegas TomorrowLand here we come!!!