Xero C.Life has its ups and downs. We all have days where we feel like we are near our breaking point, and we need a prolonged vacation or a fresh change of scenery. When we get to that stage, it can be that things have really been weighted against us, or that we simply feel overwhelmed by it all. More often than not, it’s a combination of both, really: life no doubt has its challenges, but how we perceive them — and how we decide to confront them — ultimately has a great bearing on how we end up feeling overall. That being said, there are times when we feel we need a fresh start. Things simply are not going our way, or our environment is not conducive to our happiness and success, and thus, we must enact some change. Here are some ideas that help me when I’m feeling this way, and that I hope can help you obtain the feeling of a fresh start, too!
Take That Vacation
I know I would never turn down the opportunity to sip down a Mai Tai on the beach somewhere peaceful and tropical, but there are times in life when we feel like we actually have to get out and get some rest. Surprisingly, though, many (and I do mean many) people do not take all the time off they have allotted to them each year. According to the Pew Research Center, 40% of American workers do not use all of their PTO. Of those who fail to take all their time off, about half of them say they neglect to take time off because they worry they might fall behind at work, and over 40% of them don’t take time off because they worry about their coworkers having to take on extra work as a result. While these sound like noble reasons to neglect vacation, they are actually anything but. No matter your reason for neglecting your own wellbeing, you are still neglecting your mental and physical health as a result.
If you are one of those people who neglects to take all of their time off for one reason or another, and you are feeling like you need a fresh start, then you may simply need to take advantage of your vacation time instead. It’s time to prioritize yourself. It’s time to take that dream vacation you’ve been planning, whether it’s to a tropical beach somewhere or a lovely theme park somewhere in California and Florida. Wherever it is you want to travel, it’s time to pack your bags and just go.
Small Change of Scenery
Another great step to take if you are feeling you need a fresh start is to get a real change of scenery. This does not mean you need to uproot your life, quit your job, and move your family to some other state or another. As a matter of fact, you can stay right where you are. This change of scenery could be as simple as a change of decor. Maybe your home office could use some new posters, a new chair, and a calming new plant. The energy of your home could simply be off. Alter things until you are comfortable in your place of residence, and by extension, your own skin. It may sound like a small deal, but if you spend too much time in an environment that makes you feel uneasy and gives you the urge you need to start over someplace new, then it is actually a boon to your wellbeing to make a suitable change.
Find a New Hobby
It’s time to discover something new and fun. While there are many things in our lives that can make us feel down, sometimes, our mental fatigue and desire for escape are just due to a lack of interesting hobbies and pastimes. Picking up painting, cooking, or gardening can help keep you occupied and make everything in your life seem brighter and easier to get through. Instead of dwelling on past failures and mistakes, pick up a new passion project, and find your new fascination.
