Saving for Serenity

I'm in the process of planning my annual leave, and this year it seems my priorities are a little different from last year.

Firstly, I've got an extra 20 days to play with. That was going to be a month-long trip to Australia, which has been approved already for April or June/July - but funds currently prevent taking it. So I'm thinking of alternative things to fill it with.

Then I have another 20 days normal leave to allocate somewhere. Usually I try to spread it out across the year, so I don't burn out after the hectic bits. I group it around long weekends and/or public holidays, to get the best bang for my buck so to speak. Traditionally, I take my first bit right after registation closes - which happens next week - as I've been running non-stop since November to get all my new students processed and really, really need it!

But this year I've got a few things I want to do with all that time off.

I may take the month's worth to work really hard at my business. I have a number of things to organize still, and not enough time to do so in addition to my daily work/home stuff. I could focus entirely on them during that time.

I want to get a couple of things done around the house. Bookshelves, painting the walls, flooring issues, perhaps some original artwork. A nice bit of DIY.

I want to take at least a week for serenity too - hence this post's title. Not just any serenity, but the kind that involves booking a massage and a few other "spa" type things. (I'm hoping to try out some yoga and pilates too)

Which is why I need to save for serenity. I've just been checking costs at a few nearby places. For the pleasure of someone else laying hands on you, it's a good few hundred bucks. For more exotic things like vinotherapy, hot rock treatments, wraps and such the cost leans more toward a thousand and over. Let's not even look at an entire day booked in for the works!!! Even yoga or pilates classes will set you back a bit.

I seriously do not want to abuse a friendship and ask if I could get a discount/freebie from the ex who manages one of the places. Nor do I want to take advantage of my sis-in-law and her salon.

So I'll need to put aside a bit of me-cash. In a way it's about time I did. I haven't treated myself to as much as coffee in ages. I haven't been out alone socially in years. I don't indulge in anything other than the odd chocolate (which is only adding to my need for a couple of body treatments). The only real me-time I get is a lengthy bath with a book now and then. And if I've learnt anything from Dr Phil (sorry Chitty!) it's that one can best take care of others if you've taken care of yourself. The more you need to give, the more you need to have available to give. It's like building up a reservoir of strength through ensuring you are centred, relaxed, balanced and healthy. Makes sense to me, even if Dr Phil did say it.

As I plan my leave, I'm taking all this into consideration. My dreams for the future, my age (not getting any younger), my stage of life, my health/weight issues, my desire for peace, solitude and silence - and how depleted I feel inside & out. I'm working on a plan to make things better this year, using the time I am granted to step out of the office. I may have to hold off on some of the more expensive holiday options for a bit, but planning with a goal in sight is a whole lot better than randomly selecting dates on a calendar.