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10 In lifestyle/ travel

switching off | is a relaxing holiday allowed?

I went to Tenerife last week, did I mention?  Just thought I’d best say, in case my holiday spamming on Instagram hadn’t made it obvious enough.  This gal was enjoying time with the fam and sitting by the pool, reading, quick dips when it’s hot hot hot, all that jazz.  Most definitely the most ‘switched off’ I’ve been in a long while and it felt goooood.

I can’t remember the last time I did a puzzlebook.  I probably took fewer photos in 10 days than I usually would in one on another trip.  I reacquainted myself with that lost feeling you get after finishing a book you’ve been completely absorbed in.  It’s bad that I hadn’t felt that in ages, I know!  I’ll admit that I don’t read for the sake of reading anywhere near as much as I used to, and regrettably haven’t had that feeling of being engrossed in a book and not wanting to put it down for a long while.  Hoping the bookworm in me is back to stay tbh.

Over the past year or so I’ve been fortunate enough to go away quite a few times, and every other trip I’ve been on in the past year has been about making the most of my time there.  Whether it’s a press trip (with a busy itinerary planned by someone else), or a trip planned by myself, I always try to see as much of the place as possible.  If that means getting up and out at 6am, then so be it!  With cities especially, there’s always a list of ‘must sees’, plus obviously just wandering to see what you find.  And I wouldn’t change that at all.  Not this time though!  This trip went at a much slower pace and I am a OK with that.  If I had to put my finger on what the main difference in my mindset was, it’s that I didn’t even try to be productive or ‘make the most of’ time.  Not one bit.  I mean, I’m hardly the best at being productive and my time management leaves room to be desired, but usually I’m at least half trying to be.  Which in turn makes for a Lily who is very bad at switching off.

Somebody took it upon themselves to tell me that I should’ve been out hiking gorges and exploring the island rather than chilling out, and no, I didn’t leave having witnessed Tenerife’s natural wonders or experienced a load of culture.   I couldn’t give you a top 10 list of things to do.  However, the purpose was just to relax with family and I definitely achieved that.  It almost seems like there’s an expectation that as a blogger you’ll see as much ‘stuff’ as possible to share with your readers in a ‘do it for the blog’ kind of way, but I actually quite enjoyed having no obligations to write blog posts or shoot certain content.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, it’s just nice to have a change, that’s all.   On my next trip (Zagreb in a couple of weeks – hit me up if if you have any recommendations!) I’ll be doing all the sightseeing and exploring I can, but not this time.  If it makes me a failure of a travel blogger to go overseas and not cram every minute with adventures, then so be it.  I enjoyed my time by the pool, anyway!

Lily Kate x

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10 Comments

  • Reply
    Lucy Jane
    1st September 2017 at 8:14 pm

    I adore these pictures!! I think having time to relax and switch off is so important, doing it in the sun is even better. When I went to Greece this year I did nothing but read, was the nicest week ever!

    Lucy Jane | Infinity of Fashion

    • Reply
      lily kate
      3rd September 2017 at 6:27 pm

      Thank you Lucy! I agree, the sun is the best place to just chill out, I could happily do that all the time haha! Being in a totally different environment just resets me. Love a good holiday read!

  • Reply
    Tasha Amy
    2nd September 2017 at 8:51 am

    Beautiful shots! Its important to have relaxing time every now and then, but I totally get as a blogger you should be constantly go go go trying to get the best content for your audience. Though, often times I find this does the complete opposite and I am left feeling uninspired, totally understand you

    • Reply
      lily kate
      3rd September 2017 at 6:38 pm

      Thank you Tasha! It does feel like you should be constantly on the go as a blogger doesn’t it? I can totally relate, sometimes the harder I try to think of ideas, the fewer ideas I actually have. Inspiration strikes at random times!

  • Reply
    Brooke
    2nd September 2017 at 10:17 am

    You’re looking fresh and rejuvenated! I have to admit that as a freelance travel writer+blogger, I see every trip as an assignment and try to do as much as possible, even if it might not be the 12+ hour days that press trips usually entail. I don’t even dare travel with other people anymore because I’d be holding everyone else back. But everyone is allowed to switch off work once in a while!

    • Reply
      lily kate
      3rd September 2017 at 6:46 pm

      Why thank you very much! It’s a tough one isn’t it, not wanting to waste the opportunities to create content that you might not get chance to again, but also wanting to relax and switch off. Blogging completely changes the pace of travel – photos have to take priority when that’s what you’re there for, but I’ve found that even on press trips some journalists don’t quite grasp that. Luckily my family are totally on my wavelength and used to it (my mum takes almost all the photos of me) but I still wanted a little break!

  • Reply
    Siarra | Wander.Focus.Love
    2nd September 2017 at 9:40 pm

    Definitely nothing wrong with unplugging and just enjoying the city you’ve landed in. I did the same for a bit in my last location and nearly lost myself in the beauty of relaxation…I miss that. Love your photos!

    • Reply
      lily kate
      3rd September 2017 at 6:59 pm

      It feels like a novelty to just switch off sometimes isn’t it! Thank you so much 🙂

  • Reply
    Sarah
    3rd September 2017 at 12:26 am

    Traveling full time for a year meant we had to have some places be less sightseeing and go go go – otherwise we never would have made it! And we loved those relaxing places all the same.

    • Reply
      lily kate
      3rd September 2017 at 7:19 pm

      I bet travelling full time for a year changes things enormously! I’ve never been on a long trip to know. Relaxing can be just as fun!

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