The Most Productive Thing You Can Do? Take a Break.
For years, my career has been my main focus. I’ve thrived on quick getaways, long weekends here and there, to “recharge” just enough to keep going. Or so I thought.
This week I returned from a four-week holiday in Italy. For someone used to surviving on short breaks, it felt almost indulgent. But what I learned is that it was exactly what I needed and more. This was about coming home and reconnecting with myself, my partner and my family.
From Boardroom to the Land of Pasta.
I swapped conference calls for mountain trails, hiking through the breathtaking Dolomites where the air feels fresher and even your thoughts slow down. I traded my inbox for boating across Lake Garda, feeling (at least in my mind) like the new 007.
I put my OCD to rest in Puglia, as we explored sun-soaked coastlines, slowing down enough to savour every gelato and every salty breeze. In Rome, I dodged vespas and selfie sticks with the agility of a true local.
Self-Care Is More Than Bubble Baths and Quiet Time
We often talk about self-care as something you fit into the corners of your week, a yoga class here, a mindful coffee there. And while those moments matter, I learned that true self-care is about creating enough space to actually change your pace, not just slow it down for an hour.
For me, that meant a full digital detox. No emails. No work messages. I even scheduled my social media posts for four weeks so I could step away without feeling like I’d “disappeared.” This wasn’t just time off, it was space to truly disconnect and let my brain and body recalibrate.
Self-care is permission. Permission to step back, to rest without guilt, to disconnect from constant “doing” and reconnect with “being.” It’s choosing presence over productivity for long enough that your nervous system remembers what calm feels like.
Reconnecting With What Matters
Beyond the adventures, the biggest gift was reconnecting with my family in Italy, spending time with my partner. Over long meals and laughter, I remembered that self-care isn’t just about rest, it’s about connection, joy, and the simple moments that fill you up in ways no “productivity hack” ever could.
The Recharge I Didn’t Know I Needed
Four weeks away didn’t just give me a tan (though that’s a nice bonus). It recharged my energy, refreshed my perspective, and reminded me that stepping away from work isn’t a luxury, it’s an investment in my creativity, resilience, and leadership.
Now, back at work, I’m more energised, focused, and ready to take on challenges with a fresh mindset.
If you’ve been putting yourself last, waiting for the “right time” to take a proper break, stop waiting. Self-care isn’t a reward for working hard; it’s the foundation that makes meaningful work possible. Your career will thank you, your mind will thank you, and so will everyone around you.
