Devon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/jonathan-fink-Sa1z1pEzjPI-unsplash.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-46131" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/jonathan-fink-Sa1z1pEzjPI-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/jonathan-fink-Sa1z1pEzjPI-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/jonathan-fink-Sa1z1pEzjPI-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/jonathan-fink-Sa1z1pEzjPI-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/jonathan-fink-Sa1z1pEzjPI-unsplash-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>In the words of that great legend Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Fast forward 30 or so years, and things have far from slowed down. Between work, school runs, deadlines and meetings, you&#8217;re lucky to get a moment to yourself, let alone think beyond next month. As a culture and workforce, we’re running on a treadmill that only seems to be picking up pace and there are few signs of it slowing down.</p>



<p>So, what happens when you finally get the break you’ve been craving all year? How do you go from running at a million miles an hour to slowing down, putting things on hold, and unwinding for a week or so? How do you shut down the manic activity in your brain and switch off long enough to be totally present for yourself, your partner and family on your break? Try these&#8230;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1/Set yourself a goal while you’re away</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="908" height="682" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/6ed654_cad84214cd024cbd99ad2f262d224de8mv2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-46119" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/6ed654_cad84214cd024cbd99ad2f262d224de8mv2.jpg 908w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/6ed654_cad84214cd024cbd99ad2f262d224de8mv2-800x601.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/6ed654_cad84214cd024cbd99ad2f262d224de8mv2-768x577.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/6ed654_cad84214cd024cbd99ad2f262d224de8mv2-699x525.jpg 699w" sizes="(max-width: 908px) 100vw, 908px" /></figure>



<p>You’re a hard-working achiever. That’s a given. So switching off completely, isn’t necessarily going to come easily to you. My tip &#8211; don’t fight it. It’s a battle you are not going to win straight away. Instead, consider setting yourself a goal for your break that will energise you. Something that you can work towards and accomplish during your week.</p>



<p>I remember a ski trip to France a few years back. Deep down, I know I was reluctant to take time away work. The truth was, as exhausted as I felt, I loved the feeling I got from pushing myself. I still do. When we got to the slopes, I set myself the goal of nailing a red run by the end of the week. An ambition that both terrified and excited me. Did I stay focused? Did I do it? Hell yes; it was all I could think about. In the process, I forgot about work, had fun with my family, increased my fitness, and slept better than I&#8217;ve ever done.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2/ Choose activities that completely absorb you and pull your mind away from work</h2>



<p>I know you’ll have heard about the flow state before; it&#8217;s a period when you’re so totally engrossed in an activity that you lose all track of time. If you love your work, you likely spend a lot of your time in this state. Your break is an opportunity to do the same; to truly get present and absorb yourself in new activities, so that you can leave work and your daily routine behind.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3/ Turn off the notifications</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1152" height="768" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/04/computer-iphone-woman.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2992" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/04/computer-iphone-woman.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/04/computer-iphone-woman-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/04/computer-iphone-woman-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/04/computer-iphone-woman-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1152px) 100vw, 1152px" /></figure>



<p>Don’t get me wrong, I know how easy it is to be drawn back into your world by the seductive ping of a notification. But does it honestly matter that Jenny from marketing ‘had a fabulous networking lunch&#8217; last Tuesday? I’m sure it was fabulous and yes, the Pig at Combe is beautiful; but you don’t need to know that right now. Remove the app. Ditch LinkedIn. Do whatever you need to do to step away. This is your time, and there’s no one else you need to be comparing yourself to.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4/ Schedule time with friends and family</h2>



<p>It’s pretty hard to think about work when you’re catching up with friends and family. Whether it’s a lunch, dinner, or a long afternoon walk, have fun with them. You’ll soon switch off.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5/ Get clear on your no’s</h2>



<p>I’m all for saying &#8216;yes&#8217; and expanding your world. But sometimes, you’ve got to say &#8216;no&#8217;. Book in too many events and get-togethers, and you’ll start to feel overwhelmed. Before you know it, your mind will start wandering back to work as a way to escape. It’s all about balance. Sometimes your in-laws just have to wait.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6/ Switch off from the news</h2>



<p>This is your time to switch off. Seriously, you do not need another update on escalating energy prices, rising inflation, or the race to become Prime Minister. If something important goes down and you need to know, someone will mention it to you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7/ Get an eye mask</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="600" height="400" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/woman-sleep-mask.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-30479" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/woman-sleep-mask.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/03/woman-sleep-mask-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></figure>



<p>I love a bit of romantic moonlight as much as the next girl, but if you haven’t tried an eye mask yet, seriously, give it a go. Just a fraction of light in your room at night can have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep. Invest in a decent mask and you’ll be ready once again to rock your world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8/ Get back to nature</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/natalya-zaritskaya-SIOdjcYotms-unsplash.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-46126" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/natalya-zaritskaya-SIOdjcYotms-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/natalya-zaritskaya-SIOdjcYotms-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/natalya-zaritskaya-SIOdjcYotms-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/natalya-zaritskaya-SIOdjcYotms-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/natalya-zaritskaya-SIOdjcYotms-unsplash-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Find yourself a beautiful stretch of river or coast to swim. Go for walks in the forest. Walk everywhere. When you’re moving your body, and immersing yourself in nature, you’ll feel truly alive and begin to shift perspective. Suddenly that huge project that’s been weighing heavily on you just might not seem so heavy by the end of your break.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9/ Ditch the guilt</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/lady-in-pool.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-46121" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/lady-in-pool.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/lady-in-pool-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/lady-in-pool-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/08/lady-in-pool-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You are allowed to take time off. You’re not just allowed; it is an absolute total necessity. A non-negotiable. Burnout is a real thing that affects more than we can count. The sooner we flip the script and realise our mental health depends on having quality time off, the better.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10/ Put your relationship with social media on hold</h2>



<p>I’m mentioning this one again, because it’s <em>that</em> important. You can do it.  I could quote you all kinds of stats about how social media is not the best thing for you, but you know this already. As with the news, we do not need to know what our friends and colleagues are pretending to be so happy about. Nor do we need to compare our entire lives to their 4-second snapshot. Use this time to step away from social media. Create some breathing space and remember what it’s like to not know everyone else’s opinion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Want more wellbeing ideas? And 25% off an autumn/winter retreat with Tracey?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/Tracey-Duke.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43528" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/Tracey-Duke.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/Tracey-Duke-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/Tracey-Duke-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/Tracey-Duke-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/05/Tracey-Duke-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong><em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Tracey Duke (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.traceyduke.com" target="_blank">Tracey Duke</a> is an ICF trained Coach, writer &amp; podcast host focused on high performance. She offers individual <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="coaching sessions (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.traceyduke.com/strategysessions" target="_blank">coaching sessions</a> and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Deep Dive Coaching retreats (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.traceyduke.com/retreat" target="_blank">Deep Dive Coaching retreats</a> from her home on the banks of the River Dart, in the heart of Devon</em></strong> &#8211; <strong><em>Muddy readers can get 25% discount on retreats booked during September, October &amp; November 2022.</em></strong></p>


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