12 days in Greece, one husband at a conference, no children in tow: so what did I learn about myself?
JUST BE…
In the moment. This was a rare opportunity for me, and I really didn’t want to wish it away listening to my monkey mind. So, I left my ‘mummy guilt’ at passport control, and focussed on the amazing experiences I was having, rather than wondering if my kids were surviving ok (um, of course they were perfectly fine). I also didn’t wish away time thinking thoughts like, ‘oh only 2 more days to go then I’m back to reality’. I concentrated on the reality that was my here and now, and I’m happy to say that I enjoyed every second of it with no guilty conscience.
JUST DO…
Whatever the hell you want to do. Seriously, if you have time out of your busy everyday life, with no one to answer to, and you feel like doing absolutely nothing…then you should do exactly that! One day I ordered room service and read a novel, another day I tried a Tai Chi class with the local Greek Granny’s. I went clothes shopping in Athens, I sat in a cafe and watched the world go by, I ate the best spinach pie in the world, I walked around the ancient town, I sat by the pool and read a magazine… In other words, I took away the words “I should…” and replaced them with “Today I feel like…”
JUST JUMP…
Without fear into life’s experiences. The water in the Mediterranean sea was C.O.L.D. Most people on our boat trip chickened out on snorkelling because it was a bit chilly. Me? I put my snorkel and mask on and jumped off the side of the boat with a loud ‘woo-hoo’ and had an amazing experience swimming though an underwater rock tunnel. Was I out of my comfort zone? Yes I was. Did I get back on that boat feeling absolutely exhilarated with life? HELL Yes! Gone are the days where I let fear about what I might look like, or how I might feel, stop me from experiencing life, and man does that feel awesome!
JUST LISTEN…
To your intuition. Part of just being in the moment, and doing what it was that I felt like doing, was really taking the time to listen to myself. I thought that I would use at least some of the time I had to myself to work on my business. But guess what? I didn’t feel like it once! I soon realised that what I needed was an absolute break. I have spent the last few months busy in creation mode, and I really needed space to take a few deep breaths and acknowledge all my hard work. This is not something I tend to do very often (and to be honest, at the time I was a little worried that I might have lost my mojo). But, it turns out that breathing space was exactly what I need in order to begin the next phase of developing my life coaching business.
JUST LOVE…
Yourself! Do I look like I am loving myself sick here? Probably because I was! Life felt easy, happy, and joyful, and while I know what you are thinking (‘well, my life would be a whole lot easier, happy, and joyful if I was on a beautiful Greek Island without my kids too!’) I certainly learnt some important things about looking after myself better in my everyday life as well. Namely, to take regular time out for self care, be open to new experiences, and remember to check in with how I want to feel, then do things to make that happen.
Trust me, you do not need to fly halfway around the world for that!
While I would have loved to bring you all back a dodgy souvenir, I am going to do better than that! I am feeling energised and inspired after this amazing experience, and I want to share those feelings with YOU.
So for a limited time only , I am opening my calendar to some wonderful women who may not be ready for a full coaching series, but would like a bit of motivation to help get their mojo back.
60 minutes 1:1 via Skype to help you gain some clarity, kickstart your mojo, and walk away with some inspired actionable goals. For any bookings made in the next TWO weeks, I will offer my services for only $99, which includes a pre-questionnaire and an email follow up.
While I may continue to offer these one off sessions in the future, they will definitely be at a much higher price, so if you have been thinking about coaching but have been a bit unsure, now is a perfect opportunity to give it a go!
23 Comments on Five Life Lessons from a child free holiday in Greece
Wow!!! Love this post and those photos and that offer. Amazing stuff, Mel x
Fabulous post Mel! Oh how breathtaking your photos are. I’m so glad you had an awesome time:-) I really love the one of you with your laptop overlooking the cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean. That is my fantasy photo…except it’s the Amalfi Coast, (although I would love to go to Greece too!), and I’m sitting there working on my novel, overlooking the pristine waters of the Gulf of Salerno. I can hear the energy in your voice and totally agree with what you said about taking time out for selfcare and being open to new experiences and how you don’t have to go overseas to do it. My friend and I often ‘step out of the box’ and do things we don’t normally do. It could be going to have lunch somewhere new, going to an author talk, a night with a psychic medium, a concert or a walk in a new place. Each year I look at the programme for the Sydney Writers Festival and think ‘gee I’d love to go to it’ but I have always put it in the too hard basket…Walsh Bay is a pain to get to, I’m working that day…yadda yadda…excuses excuses. But this year I went ‘STOP! You are working on your novel and the festival is going to be full of inspiring, fascinating authors from whom you could learn so much.’ And so I went. Logistically it was a challenge as I had to take a half day off work and then when I drove to Walsh Bay I couldn’t park anywhere near it so ended up driving and parking in North Sydney and paying a fortune in carpark fees and taxis back into the CBD, but you know what? It was the best $99 dollars I’ve spent (the transport cost more than the $80 tickets to the event!) Once I’d got over the annoyance of spending so much to get there I exhaled and said ‘right, you’re here now, enjoy it.’ I listened to the amazing Liane Moriarty, the inspirational Amy Bloom and the very funny Annabel Crabb and headed home feeling on a total high. That energy gives you the momentum to get through the inevitable monotony that life often is. Women need to give themselves permission to put themselves first. Placing yourself at the top of the totem pole doesn’t mean ignoring your husband, your kids, your family, your job. It is about taking time out to replenish yourself so that you have the strength and the patience to give those who depend on you.x
Oh Shell, what a great comment! You are so right that women need to give themselves permission to put themselves first, and I ‘m so glad that you recognise that and ‘step out of the box’ often. xx
Wonderful post Mel, I’m so jealous of you and happy for you at the same time! It was a wonderful trip and great pics.
Nice comment Shell Parsons, I’m envious and happy of you too!
x
Haha Kate, I totally get that! ;-0
This is the first time since my son was born (nearly 13 years ago) that we have done anything like that, but I will certainly try and make it happen more regularly from now on, even if it’s just for a few days x
It certainly is a beautiful part of the world Carla! Yes, it’s not easy to come by, but it is certainly worth making happen every now and then if you can, x.
Fabulous post Mel- I can not imagine that feeling of freedom and life right now as am bogged down by the weight of parenting solo but I will plan something like this, even if it’s to go to Straddie for a few days or on a fishing holiday (my dream) – I’m so happy to see you looking so beautiful and happy in such a glorious setting. I hope T got to rest too after a long period of hard yakka. Big hugs and love to you- thanks for sharing xxx
Thank you lovely Caylie, we both really enjoyed our time together, and I know you will get that experience sometime in the future (hopefully sooner than later!) xxx
The husbie and I went on a two week road trip across France a couple of years ago, leaving the kids with my parents. It was pretty much the best parenting decision we’ve ever made. x
Wow. What an awe inspiring experience. So much envy and good on you for making the most of every second and dropping the mumma guilt. You are so right. .. we all need to do it from time to time. Xx
I am so happy for you that you had this chance, and slightly green with jealousy. It can be hard to just be and to switch everything else off but once you give in to it, wow, what a heavenly feeling it is! #weekendrewind
Thanks Malinda (you are allowed to be slightly jealous-I would have been too!) 🙂 Yep, you really do have to surrender into it, or you could easily spend all your time away stuck in ‘mummy guilt’ or ‘I’m not worth it’ mode.
It is interesting to see how some of the simplest–yet most important–lessons can be learned from traveling. I think just getting away from the “noise” of life and our obligations can be hugely beneficial.
I was looking for info about Greece and bumped into your post. Loved your pics <3
I am planning to get to the Greek Islands this summer…
Such a great piece, congrats!
No point in feeling mummy guilt… Sometimes we need time to ourselves. It is just a decision. Maybe try it another time again with the kids, you'll get a whole different experience. The way we travel affects our experiences in certain ways…
Always live each moment the best way you can. Life is all about the present time after all. It is what we decide to do in the moment we live. Decide what makes you happy with no regrets <3
In the moment. This was a rare opportunity for me, and I really didn’t want to wish it away listening to my monkey mind. So, I left my ‘mummy guilt’ at passport control, and focussed on the amazing experiences I was having, rather than wondering if my kids were surviving ok (um, of course they were perfectly fine). I also didn’t wish away time thinking thoughts like, ‘oh only 2 more days to go then I’m back to reality’. I concentrated on the reality that was my here and now, and I’m happy to say that I enjoyed every second of it with no guilty conscience.
To your intuition. Part of just being in the moment, and doing what it was that I felt like doing, was really taking the time to listen to myself. I thought that I would use at least some of the time I had to myself to work on my business. But guess what? I didn’t feel like it once! I soon realised that what I needed was an absolute break. I have spent the last few months busy in creation mode, and I really needed space to take a few deep breaths and acknowledge all my hard work. This is not something I tend to do very often (and to be honest, at the time I was a little worried that I might have lost my mojo). But, it turns out that breathing space was exactly what I need in order to begin the next phase of developing my life coaching business.
Yourself! Do I look like I am loving myself sick here? Probably because I was! Life felt easy, happy, and joyful, and while I know what you are thinking (‘well, my life would be a whole lot easier, happy, and joyful if I was on a beautiful Greek Island without my kids too!’) I certainly learnt some important things about looking after myself better in my everyday life as well. Namely, to take regular time out for self care, be open to new experiences, and remember to check in with how I want to feel, then do things to make that happen.
Wow!!! Love this post and those photos and that offer. Amazing stuff, Mel x
Thanks Katherine, it was an awesome experience. I look forward to hearing all about your New York trip very soon!
Fabulous post Mel! Oh how breathtaking your photos are. I’m so glad you had an awesome time:-) I really love the one of you with your laptop overlooking the cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean. That is my fantasy photo…except it’s the Amalfi Coast, (although I would love to go to Greece too!), and I’m sitting there working on my novel, overlooking the pristine waters of the Gulf of Salerno. I can hear the energy in your voice and totally agree with what you said about taking time out for selfcare and being open to new experiences and how you don’t have to go overseas to do it. My friend and I often ‘step out of the box’ and do things we don’t normally do. It could be going to have lunch somewhere new, going to an author talk, a night with a psychic medium, a concert or a walk in a new place. Each year I look at the programme for the Sydney Writers Festival and think ‘gee I’d love to go to it’ but I have always put it in the too hard basket…Walsh Bay is a pain to get to, I’m working that day…yadda yadda…excuses excuses. But this year I went ‘STOP! You are working on your novel and the festival is going to be full of inspiring, fascinating authors from whom you could learn so much.’ And so I went. Logistically it was a challenge as I had to take a half day off work and then when I drove to Walsh Bay I couldn’t park anywhere near it so ended up driving and parking in North Sydney and paying a fortune in carpark fees and taxis back into the CBD, but you know what? It was the best $99 dollars I’ve spent (the transport cost more than the $80 tickets to the event!) Once I’d got over the annoyance of spending so much to get there I exhaled and said ‘right, you’re here now, enjoy it.’ I listened to the amazing Liane Moriarty, the inspirational Amy Bloom and the very funny Annabel Crabb and headed home feeling on a total high. That energy gives you the momentum to get through the inevitable monotony that life often is. Women need to give themselves permission to put themselves first. Placing yourself at the top of the totem pole doesn’t mean ignoring your husband, your kids, your family, your job. It is about taking time out to replenish yourself so that you have the strength and the patience to give those who depend on you.x
Oh Shell, what a great comment! You are so right that women need to give themselves permission to put themselves first, and I ‘m so glad that you recognise that and ‘step out of the box’ often. xx
Wonderful post Mel, I’m so jealous of you and happy for you at the same time! It was a wonderful trip and great pics.
Nice comment Shell Parsons, I’m envious and happy of you too!
x
Haha Kate, I totally get that! ;-0
This is the first time since my son was born (nearly 13 years ago) that we have done anything like that, but I will certainly try and make it happen more regularly from now on, even if it’s just for a few days x
Aww thanks Kate. You can step out of the box too….we’ve got your back<3
Good on you Mel, some great pic’s, also very familiar pic’s……prompts me to dust off the photo albums and reminisce…x
Thanks Ange, I must check out my photos from 20 years ago too, done in a lot less style back then! 😉
loved Santorini, your pictures brought back lots of memories for me!! So pleased you enjoyed some r & r, it’s hard to come by when you’re a Mum!!
It certainly is a beautiful part of the world Carla! Yes, it’s not easy to come by, but it is certainly worth making happen every now and then if you can, x.
Fabulous post Mel- I can not imagine that feeling of freedom and life right now as am bogged down by the weight of parenting solo but I will plan something like this, even if it’s to go to Straddie for a few days or on a fishing holiday (my dream) – I’m so happy to see you looking so beautiful and happy in such a glorious setting. I hope T got to rest too after a long period of hard yakka. Big hugs and love to you- thanks for sharing xxx
Thank you lovely Caylie, we both really enjoyed our time together, and I know you will get that experience sometime in the future (hopefully sooner than later!) xxx
The husbie and I went on a two week road trip across France a couple of years ago, leaving the kids with my parents. It was pretty much the best parenting decision we’ve ever made. x
Yep, you are not wrong there Bron, parents need some time away every now and then to be good at the bloody hardest job in the world! 😉
Wow. What an awe inspiring experience. So much envy and good on you for making the most of every second and dropping the mumma guilt. You are so right. .. we all need to do it from time to time. Xx
Yes, it was pretty incredible Shannon, but I do believe that even a short getaway can be so beneficial to us mums.
I am so happy for you that you had this chance, and slightly green with jealousy. It can be hard to just be and to switch everything else off but once you give in to it, wow, what a heavenly feeling it is! #weekendrewind
Thanks Malinda (you are allowed to be slightly jealous-I would have been too!) 🙂 Yep, you really do have to surrender into it, or you could easily spend all your time away stuck in ‘mummy guilt’ or ‘I’m not worth it’ mode.
It is interesting to see how some of the simplest–yet most important–lessons can be learned from traveling. I think just getting away from the “noise” of life and our obligations can be hugely beneficial.
You are absolutely right Bethany. Life can be pretty crazy , and we all need time out to ‘just be’ sometimes x
Hi Melissa!
I was looking for info about Greece and bumped into your post. Loved your pics <3
I am planning to get to the Greek Islands this summer…
Such a great piece, congrats!
No point in feeling mummy guilt… Sometimes we need time to ourselves. It is just a decision. Maybe try it another time again with the kids, you'll get a whole different experience. The way we travel affects our experiences in certain ways…
Always live each moment the best way you can. Life is all about the present time after all. It is what we decide to do in the moment we live. Decide what makes you happy with no regrets <3
Thanks for your comment! It was a great holiday, I hope you have a wonderful time there. Yes, mummy guilt is a totally dated emotion! 🙂