Holidays that leave a mark
In June, I found myself packing my bags for Bali with a best pal from London. This trip has been simmering in my brain ever since, it left a lasting impression on me, that I can’t quite shake.
Let me rewind a bit. Back in May 2023, when I was emigrating to Australia from the UK, my best mate and I made a pact: we’d reunite in Bali. Fast forward to June 2024, and there I was, nervously zipping up my suitcase. At the time, I figured a week away from my kids for some much-needed self-indulgence and a catch-up with a friend I hadn’t seen in over a year would be a breeze. Plus, I didn’t have a job, so when I booked the trip—moving to a new country had made it feel like the ultimate luxury to travel to meet a friend.
Turns out, leaving my family for a whole week wasn’t as easy as I’d thought. I hadn’t anticipated the “empathetic distress” I’d be feeling—a term I learnt from Insta-pal Lara Sheldrake, and one that perfectly captured my response to the flood of disturbing news and images we had witnessed on our phones for the past 10 months.
But here’s the kicker: returning from Bali, I realized just how radical and necessary this trip was. It was like a shot of self-love straight to the heart, and timing couldn’t have been better.
There were a million reasons I could have canceled—work deadlines, my entire family coming down with a nasty bug right before I left (luckily, I had recovered by takeoff), the mum guilt, etc etc…But I went, and I came back feeling lighter, sharper, and ready to tackle life with a renewed sense of self.
Here are a few takeaways from my Bali adventure that have really stuck with me:
We Need More Breaks to Recalibrate: Life’s a whirlwind—kids, work, partner, friends, social media, school WhatsApp groups, news, tasks... it’s a lot. I’ve started thinking that a break every few months is crucial for a true reset. I’m not talking about jet-setting four times a year, but just switching off for a weekend, putting your phone away, and reconnecting with yourself and your loved ones. Fairly realistic, right?!
Turn the Good Stuff into Everyday Habits: On holidays, it’s easy for me to maintain good habits because there’s more time and I always feel more connected to myself. I fell head over heels in love with yoga again whilst visiting The Yoga Barn in Ubud, and I’ve been raving about it ever since. And because of this, I’ve been able to stick to scheduling these yoga self-care sessions as seriously as I do work meetings. I’ve figured out what works for me—gentle yoga to de-stress, rather than high-intensity workouts. Everyone’s different of course, but stepping off the life treadmill can help you understand what your body really needs.
Friendship is Everything: I traveled with Barry, a friend from my AOL days in London, where we met at work. We’ve shared countless adventures over the last 20 years. He is now a firm member of my family and guide parent to my eldest son, this trip was a special time to just be together. Investing in relationships at work can lead to lifelong friendships. Get curious about your colleagues—you never know when you might find a best mate!
Managing Stress in Unprecedented Times: Let’s be honest, the news can often feel overwhelming with it’s stream of distressing stories. It’s important to unplug when things get too intense, not to disengage from empathy, but to take care of yourself and channel your energy into constructive actions. I’ve found a helpful approach is learning to "tap in and tap out"—knowing that when I take a step back, others are there to continue the effort. This mindset has been a game-changer for me, helping me feel at peace with taking necessary breaks while staying connected to the broader community. I’m grateful to have found so many people who share a strong sense of morality and humanity during these challenging times.
So, while some folks might have raised a few eyebrows at me jetting off without the family, I’m really glad I went. It’s a great reminder of how important these breaks are. My partner and I even talked about making this a regular thing—some solo time, some couple time, and of course, time together. It’s been a total win and a much-needed reset.