My kids were off this week for Spring Break, and I took the week off from work to spend time with them. It reminded me that I made the promise, if only to myself, that I would put my family first.
During the week, we went to the zoo on one day with my nieces, and the kids fed the lorikeets that landed on their arms (or head, in my daughter’s case); the nearest aquarium another day where the kids took every opportunity to touch the stingrays and sharks; we made ice cream on a “chill day”, a recipe for chocolate ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s recipe book where we tossed in brownie pieces as it churned; and of course, the kids played outside.
Taking time for yourself matters more than most of us admit, whether it’s you and your family or just you. Work can wait until you return, so take the time off, smell the roses, make the ice cream (or just buy and eat it). If you don’t, you can either become burnt out or worse: your body will force you to take care of yourself.
This week wasn’t a big getaway holiday or life-changing international trip. It was time spent together, memories made, and an opportunity to recharge. Come Monday, I will log on at work, ready to take on a new week, but I’ll be reminded who I work for and why. I hope you get the chance to get that reminder too.