So this week I’m on leave from work. I’m a little embarrassed to say I’ve found taking leave quite difficult lately. My employer actively encourages it (as all should) but travel by myself doesn’t appeal right now—partly for financial reasons and partly because I can find it quite isolating and lonely. Part of the joy of being somewhere else for me is having people to share the experience with. A week at home would feel more appealing if I didn’t already spend most days working here. 1st world problems I know, and I’m definitely not looking for sympathy, but holidays aren’t what they used to be.

I’m adapting, but these things take time. I’m hoping once I can get a little further through the divorce and have more clarity on the house settlement that I could start saving towards some kind of trip. It’d be nice to have something to plan and look forward to.

So, no travel plans, but luckily sunshine has arrived in Dorset. I hope it stays. I’m going to try to fill my week with little bits of everything. I have quite the list of life admin tasks to complete, plenty of university work to get through, and some spring cleaning to tackle—both in the house and the garden. But I also want to make sure I’m getting out and about, staying active, and not spending all my time within the same four walls that I usually work in. We will see.

I think I might need to set myself a little checklist of “un-productivity” tasks to make the week feel more holiday-like:

• Have a whippy ice cream (flake included)
• Fill up my camera roll with photos of random things
• A hike in the sunshine
• Eat a nice meal out (actually, I did this on Saturday, so I’m counting it as done)
• Go for a swim in the sea
• Drink some cocktails and have a dance

You get the idea. I’m not sure I need yet another to-do list, but I guess if it helps with the motivation and brings some balance, then why knock it?

What would be on your list for a holiday at home? And does anybody want to join me for a chilly swim, an ice cream, or a cocktail?