blogger profile

Chris Kuhn

Editor, skirt! Tampa Bay

I'm an outspoken thirtysomething who has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1992, full of useless facts on just about every facet of pop culture. I'm passionate about vegetarianism without passing judgment. I love to laugh. If we can't talk politics, music, movies, sports, TV or current events, you'...

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Take a Day Off...Or Two!

Chris, Editor for skirt! Tampa Bay

You haven’t heard from me in a while, I know. I did something I rarely ever do. I took some time off. Sounds easy enough, but it’s more of a challenge for me than you might think.

Aside from my frequent habits of saying  “yes” all too willingly and  struggling to say “no” when it’s necessary, I also tend to forget about things. Well, not just anything – about me, mainly.

When I get busy, I forget to eat. (Hard to believe, I know, but true.) I forget to check my watch and find myself calling the hubby about 30 minutes past my usual drive time. I find myself drinking the same bottle of water from this morning, now lukewarm, at six in the evening. I forget about me!

When I started the new gig, I was sure that once one issue’s content was complete, I’d find time for a few days to rejuvenate, replenish and all of those other lovely verbs our spa ads reference. But I quickly found myself hopping over to the next month almost immediately and soon spiraling into FranticLand with each new looming deadline. No break in sight.

My husband’s birthday was this past week and after what’s felt like zipping through a school zone at 150mph these past 90 days, I decided to take the time off to celebrate it. Okay, what I really wanted to do was just stop. Stop and read. Stop and sunbathe. Stop and see a baseball game. Stop and golf. Stop and nap with the dog. Stop and do absolutely nothing if that’s what my body wanted to do. So I did. And I am loving it this morning.

Yeah, sure, it’s Monday but I’m probably the happiest person down the hallway because I feel enthusiastic again, ready to tackle these piles of papers and a new month of deadlines. And I feel rested, comfortable and energized.

Do you have trouble turning it off? I thought I might struggle again this time around and I will admit to keeping up with my work emails in the evenings (though not responding) so I wouldn’t have hundreds waiting for me on Monday. But surprisingly, for the first time in a long time, I really was able to shut down and give my brain a little space, some fresh air – a vacation.

Wow. Imagine how I could feel with a week of time. Mmm.

So when are you planning to give yourself a much-needed break? You’re entitled to one. And your peace of mind will thank you for it.