We all need some kind of time out. It varies from person to person as to what that means, but I was thinking about it recently and decided that it was all about finding my bliss.
Your bliss can be anything – empty beach, good book, great restaurant and really anything on any spectrum of anything you can enjoy. For me, as someone who struggles to relax, I feel like more space, regular massages and maybe a bath at home would really help. The thing about finding your bliss is that it can be bought (day spa) or created (DIY pamper).
Full confession – I have never been to a day spa or anything like that. The closest I’ve been is on a work retreat once where we got a massage (which was lovely but the lovely was short lived; I have rants about work retreats saved for another day).
I even won a treatment at a spa last year and was too scared to use it. Too unknown for someone who isn’t girly.
I love that we live in a time where we can get home spa ideas on Pinterest, but sometimes you don’t want an at home or DIY solution. The conundrum I have is that when something is entirely new to you, then how do you know if you’re getting value?
If I was to go to a day spa, I would have no clue what is value and what isn’t. Can you go in there and chill before and after a massage (for example) or do you have to go in just for your appointment time, then leave? That sounds awfully like a doctors surgery to me! One of the biggest problems when I had a massage on a work retreat was that there was no time to shower after, so everyone got uncomfortable sitting around in oils post-massage!
Other times DIY just won’t work because you need your own space to really find bliss, and not everyone has a situation that lets them lock themselves away in say a bedroom and bathroom for a few hours.
And that brings the next question – how long do you need to find your bliss? If this is a habit you do regularly, is an hour a week enough? As usual, I’ve raised more questions than I’ve answered, but it’s an area I’m still trying to find my feet in. The closest I’ve come is eucalyptus in the shower, and that’s mostly for clearing sinuses!
Do you have a bliss? How do you find it and maintain it?
I like this post. Very thought provoking. Some days it feels like life is flying by and “finding our bliss” is getting more and more difficult. I too love a long bath and a good book. Bring on Christmas holidays! (p.s. enjoy your tweets too but nice to see you on IBOT).
Thanks Tonia. I struggle with time out during the week if I’m working – full days and long commute really eat up most of time time.
My bliss is a long hot bath and a book. And my daily walk/run. Both are purely for me and help me relax and be nothing, if that makes sense. Just me.
I had my first spa massage earlier this year and it was really great as a treat, but I don’t know if it is something I would pay to have regularly.
I always say that I want my next house to have a bath, but the one time I rented a house for a few months with a bath, I used it about twice! I wasn’t there very long, so maybe I just didn’t have the time to build a habit.
I actually reckon I’d get bored at a day spa – too much relaxing! Bliss for me these days is plain old sleep – I get so little of it with the kids that any time I have a free moment, all I want to do is nap!
I probably would too – if I’m not doing three things at once I feel strange.
My preferred forms of bliss are a major contradiction. Running and chocolate, forever in battle.
Or in perfect balance with each other. Possibly vomit-inducing if you do them at the same time though…
Running at dusk. My body loves running at that time of day and I feel like a superstar! On the topic of spas, I have been to the occasional one and they usually have spaces where you can relax after treatments. I can’t believe you had a voucher for a spa and didn’t use it!! They will usually honour them even if they’ve expired!!
I love being outside when the air is crisp! I’m sure they would but I’m far too embarrassed to ask – it was for a facial and to be honest, I don’t even know what that is!
I like a long power walk followed by a long hot shower and a glass of wine at sunset. Or just floating around a swimming pool on a hot day gazing at the sky 🙂
Ok, I’m zoning in on my bliss here – pool with a hammock and floating wine…there’s something there!
Get to a day spa STAT, I’m sure you’ll love it. My bliss, a walk along the beach, a huge bubble bath and peace and quiet at home.
The beach is definitely a place I can relax. And I’m usually pretty spoiled to have most of it to myself.
My bliss is a morning walk when all is quiet and the sun is new – the one time of the day where I feel truly at peace x