Holidays are best planned, not left to chance

Like so many, I’ve had holiday plans disrupted this year. But I didn’t cancel my plans altogether and carry on working. I came up with an alternative plan instead. Because while I know it’s disappointing when you can’t do the thing you wanted to do, having a holiday matters.

So when my planned trip to Niue at the end of August wasn’t a goer, I headed to New Plymouth instead. Not once did I think “oh well, I can’t go to Niue, I won’t have a holiday”. Nope, didn’t even cross my mind!

You see, I strategically plan my holidays for when I know they’ll serve me best. But it hasn’t always been that way. I used to push on thinking holidays were something to take when or if there was time. 

You can probably guess how that story ended … yep, holidays wouldn't happen and I’d get tired, stressed and burn out (again). Not a healthy way to live at all!

We're smart and capable, so why do we push ourselves to keep going?

Well, for me it was about proving I was good enough. Because if I worked hard enough and always showed up no matter what and did anything and everything, then I'd be good enough. Right?

Hmm, wrong!

All it does is make us tired, grouchy, unproductive and stressed 😥

Things changed for me in my mid-20s when I faced a serious health scare. I realised just how fragile life is and the importance of making the most of each day. And how I take care of myself, including holidays, was very much top of mind!

Holidays are best planned ahead of time

And yes, I like spontaneous trips away too – but I think of those as icing on the cake, rather than relying on them to be the whole cake! Because spontaneous trips don’t always happen, do they? You promise yourself they will but the truth is, they often don’t. Instead we allow ourselves to be consumed by work and a never-ending To-Do list.

There is another way…

At the start of the year, I pull out my Live Well Life Planner and create a plan for the year ahead. Holidays are the first thing I add to my calendar (okay, so my birthday goes in first 😉 closely followed by the holidays).

I specifically choose when I'll take holidays based on what I know about my energy, what'll be going on and how to support myself to live well. The holiday in August, for example, happens just before I launch the Live Well Programme and scholarship. A lot will be happening in the next 3-4 months and going into it tired isn’t helpful!

You can do the same - you can decide when holidays will best support you and schedule them in too.

You can't pour from an empty tank

Those who work with me one-on-one or through the 12-month group coaching programme Live Well know how much you get in terms of content and support. I can only show up fully if I take care of myself.

Because who wants to work with a life coach who talks about consciously designing a life that’s fulfilling not filled with constant stress when they're stressed, right? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thinking about your life and the roles you have, I bet you don't want to show up tired and stressed either.

So consciously dedicating time to fill your own tank matters. And it's not a luxury - it's a necessity to living life well. 

Do you plan your holidays ahead of time or leave them to chance?

Whether it’s a 7-day (or more) break or a long weekend, they all make a positive difference when it comes to taking care of yourself. 

And remember, you don’t need to judge or criticise yourself – the question isn’t an invitation to beat yourself up for what you are or aren’t doing. It’s simply an opportunity to notice what you do and decide whether it serves you well. If it does, keep doing it. But if it doesn’t, make a change.