Today is May 15th, and tonight I will be staying in a hotel for one night on the south coast of England.
So far, so unremarkable, but what I remark on today is the importance of taking a break, maybe to relax physically and mentally, perhaps to mark a moment, a transition.
For someone who used to travel at least 60 nights a year, it is quite the contrast that I haven’t had a night away from home so far this year.
To add to that, on March 3rd I was diagnosed with colon cancer, so for the next two months, the focus was on that, from surgery to eight nights in hospital to then around a month recuperating at home. Thankfully I had a very rapid cancer journey and am now back to normal (praise be to the NHS!).
Now, next week I start taking chemotherapy tablets over a 5+ month period, so at this precise moment am sitting with uncertainty over potential side effects. I will start taking those tablets next Thursday, at which point I’ll get to find out how I fare. To be honest, am looking forward to starting, as I prefer knowing rather than not knowing 😉
So, back to today, where I will drive down to a coastal town, have a leisurely lunch at a highly rated restaurant right on the water, then enjoy the sea air and wander around a few coastal bays on long walks, then stay in a boutique hotel before taking the day off on Monday and stretching out that overnight stay to a full two days of fresh air, walking and scenery.
This break will both be a mental and physical shift and rest, but also to mark a transition. First, it is to celebrate the journey of only two months from diagnosis through surgery and then recovery to being cancer-free. After that, thought, to know that the break is an opportunity to enjoy everything while feeling totally normal, before starting adjuvant chemo treatment, a process undergone to further reduce the risk of recurrence through stray cells floating around from surgery.
As you read this, perhaps think of me soaking in the sunlight and sea air and eating great food, knowing I shall be appreciating, savouring and celebrating every moment.
After that, consider for yourself why, when, what, where, when and how it will next be time for you to take a break.