We all need breaks from time to time.
The daily breaks between work and play to regroup and refocus.
And the longer-term breaks like when we go on vacation for a week or two.
But I wish they taught us how to take a real break in school. Of course, when I was in school, no one could have predicted how invasive texts, emails, and apps would become.
And so, when we take a break, we're compelled to check Facebook. But that's not really a break. It's just filling our minds with something else to pass the time.
Going on a proper vacation is even harder. Unless you have paid vacation time, you have to plan for that week of lost income.
And then, if you have an administrative position, there's so much work piled up to catch up on when you get back, it almost defeats the purpose of the vacation.
And then, while we're on vacation, it's still hard to be free of work emails.
To take a proper break, we need boundaries.
Turn the phone off.
Entrust administrative things to someone else until you return.
Don't check your email or social media for a while.
When we're free to be alone with ourselves, that's when real rest and rejuvenation can happen.
And with rest and rejuvenation come peace and creativity.
