As some of you know I have taken a weekend trip lately and also spent some time in London last week for a very inspiring and encouraging conference.
I have been doing these small weekend trips for a few years now and I call them timeouts or breather weekends.
I believe taking time out is a very important thing and we need to plan in those times of rest. I read this book a few years ago and was so encouraged because when we have margin in our lives for rest and refreshment we will actually be more creative and more productive.
Why is a weekend trip important?
Friends, we live in a crazy society and we are constantly “on”. Our society is highly steered towards performance and more more more. Sometimes we are like little hamsters in a hamster wheel. Running and running. Taking a weekend trip or just a short time off will stop this little wheel for a moment. I always find that when I have a change of scenery it refreshes my soul. I find new inspiration. There is a new spark in my creativity.
Sometimes we cannot afford or our job does not allow us to take longer trips but that is where we need to be strategic. By planning in a couple of time outs a year I truly believe it will help us in the long run.
But where should I go on a weekend trip?
Here in Europe taking city trips to places like London, Copenhagen, Barcelona or Paris are a big thing because cities are fascinating especially if you are from a small town like me. There is a hustle and bustle and cool coffee shops and stores that we don’t have here. But after having taken trips to big cities I have realized that I do not come home refreshed. It is actually the contrary. I had a conversation with a psychologist once and have read studies that big cities affect mental health and people who live in big cities are more prone to depression.
I have found that going somewhere where there is nature and trees and silence is the most refreshing to me. Of course I always choose places where I can still find cool cafes or I choose a cool Airbnb. The thing is I try to find places that calm me down, that inspire me and give me room to think without overwhelming my brain or over flooding my senses.
How to choose a location?
I know weekend trips seem so luxurious or expensive but they really don’t have to be. You just need to be strategic. Here is how I do it.
- I find a friend who wants to go with me and we talk budget
- I check different sites like secret escapes for example for good deals and if I don’t find anything…
- I use radius finder within a drive of 5 hours max and then type in some random town on Airbnb. That is where the real research begins. I zoom in and out, change location and dive in really deep. I am pretty picky when it comes to an Airbnb because to me beauty is so important and I need to really like the place in order to book it.
- I do not plan anything except researching cafes or restaurants. I believe in experiencing with all 5 senses so finding an amazing restaurant where the menu sounds super interesting or the interior is special adds to making memories.
And sometimes you just need to go to a hotel with a friend, hang out in bathrobes all day and talk, eat, read, sleep and work out to come home refreshed. That is what we did the other week and it could not have been better.
All of this is to encourage you to be really strategic in planning in times of rest. I believe it will make you more productive, at ease and fill you with beautiful memories and honestly just get you out of your day-to-day rut.
What are you favorite ways to plan in rest? Please let me know in the comments so I can learn from you!
Much love
Ramona
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