Guest Blog from the Absolutely Fabulous Andrée Benson, Life and Career Management Coach: Recreating Yourself
Did you know that the word recreation has two very distinct meanings? The Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines recreation this way;
Refreshment of one’s mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates. Play; activity that refreshes and recreates; activity that renews your health and spirits by enjoyment and relaxation. It also defines it this way; a forming anew; a new creation or formation. Interesting!
One word, two meanings! Is it really two meanings, though?
Think back to your last vacation, remember how you felt? Were you refreshed, re-energized and ready to take on the world? A break in routine, a change in daily patterns and scenery seem to give one a new outlook, a fresh start.
Some of us work each year toward our vacation. We visualize where we want to go, look through brochures or websites and talk with travel agents. We plan and prepare for that all-important time when we can leave our daily routine or, for some, the daily drudgery to enjoy our recreation time.
Now, let me bring you back to a more distant past.
Remember, as a child in school, how you and all the other kids enjoyed your recreation time? The bell would ring and off you would go into the school yard with your friends to break away from the books and the lessons. After playing and chatting, most of us would go back to the classroom with a clearer head and a more focused attitude, so that we could listen to the teacher.
I remember a time, not too long ago, when ‘coffee breaks’ were part of the everyday office routine. We would look forward to going ‘on break’. It meant breaking the pattern created by our daily work schedule; it meant chatting with friends over a coffee, building or creating relationships.
Breaks were meant to re-energize and re-focus employees for the task at hand.
We all need time to re-energize and re-focus. That is why we have weekends, vacations, breaks and time-off. Much like the body needs sleep to regenerate and rebuild, the mind and spirit need a break too. Herein lies the joining of the two words; Recreation and re-creation. When you are in recreation mode you have the opportunity to re-create yourself.
Recreation can take many forms. Some people take a one-year sabbatical, others need only a week or two away in an exotic or foreign location and some require a 15 – 20 minute daily meditation. Whatever is needed and whatever length of time is required, the key to fully profit from recreation is to do it consciously.
Recreation to re-create can simply mean resting and renewing, but it can also mean reviewing one’s goals, one’s career or one’s purpose in life.
When was the last time you had the opportunity to re-create yourself?
When was the last time you took time to look at a specific area in your life to see how you might improve it or change it?
Unfortunately, we often wait till we are faced with a significant emotional event (SEE) in our life to stop, breathe and renew ourselves.
We don’t have to wait for events such as a job loss or an illness to take time and re-create ourselves. Re-creation can be a simple, daily action.
How can you better use your recreation time to re-create yourself daily? Stop for a moment and take a deep breath, notice how you are feeling, listen to you body. Are you feeling tired, anxious, nervous, or just plain blah. Listen and take stock of what is going on in your life, reflect on what you can do to make a few changes.
Recreating Yourself: Take a break
Simply add a measure of playing, learning and laughing and you might just have a good recipe for re-creating yourself. Whether you want to re-create a new you, physically or psychologically, or find a new more meaningful career, using recreation to do so will generate new energy and a positive outcome. You need that moment to stop and rest your mind and your body.
Everyday offers a new opportunity to re-create yourself. No matter where you are today, if you are unhappy or unsettled in any area of your life, you can re-create that part of your life for a whole new you.
Ask Yourself…
- When I take a break from my everyday life, do I take time to reflect on who I am and who I want to be?
- Do I take vacations or time off when I need it?
- What area of my life needs re-creating?
- Or, where am I recreating myself?
Your Wellness Strategy…
Take 15 minutes this morning to simply rest and relax. No TV, no books, just you and your thoughts. Keep your thoughts positive. If negative thoughts creep in, just notice them and then let them go, refocusing on positive thoughts. Notice how you feel afterwards.
Use meditation daily. Before you meditate, ask yourself what area of your life needs a little re-creation. Simply ask the question with no expectation then start your meditation. Afterwards, take a few minutes to journal what feelings and thoughts came up for you.
This blog is an excerpt from Wellness On The Go! A guide to balance and wellness in your life with time to spare.
Andrée Benson is a Certified Life and Career Management Coach, a published author and a facilitator/training consultant. And an expert in Recreating Yourself.
