It’s okay to take a break

Earlier this year, I told myself that I needed a holiday alone, without my husband or children. I decided that it was okay to take a break from everything and just do some self examination. I can remember getting several comments; “Is it for business? Are you seriously going alone? Are the children going to be fine?” It was shocking to people that I was going alone on holiday. I told them that it was okay to take a break. In fact, it is imperative that you take a break from time to time.”

A lot of people, especially mothers, are churning out less than the best because they never take time to take themselves away from their present situation to rest, reassess and upload more energy. What they call a holiday is work. They take an annual summer vacation with the children and end up doing more work than they would at home, because there’s no nanny to help out. They come back from this “vacation” and go straight back to work. That in my opinion is not a time of rest. It can only be called that if you had help, or your children are old enough to do a few things themselves. That was family time, which is very essential. I doubt however that you had time for any reassessment during that period. As a result, we have very overworked, stressed out mothers.

Today, I just want to encourage you that it’s okay to take a break. Even God rested on the seventh day. Your children might be too little to leave and go off on your own, but you can take a day off to a resort not too far away. You could take an evening off to watch a movie. You could have some nice time out with friends. You can create some “me” time.

I don’t believe that the best time to catch your breath is when the children are old and away from the house. You owe it to God, yourself, family and the society to be the best you were born to be. If you don’t take these breaks away from your usual routine, you won’t be able to tell what you need to change and what you need to improve. Business will continue as usual and not necessarily effectively. You won’t carry out your duties lovingly but grudgingly. You won’t be the best you can possibly be.

It’s time to get creative. It’s time to be more effective. This is possible and achievable if you take some time out once in a awhile.

sola_agudah@yahoo.com

www.mummysheart.org

By: OLUSOLA OGUCHE-AGUDA