Sky Gazing

This week I was ‘home’ for the holidays seeking a much-needed break.  Lately, I have been too much in my head.

Home is a country town where small cafés, wide streets, red brick houses and old pubs are all in good order. 

Slowing down is a not only possible but mandatory as soon as you enter the town limits. The best part of any visit is the unpaved roads winding you to abandoned beaches, surrounded by big trees that cast shade from the hot summer sun.

Perfect conditions for sky gazing.

I learned the ‘bliss’ of sky gazing from a young chez yogi who proclaimed adamantly that whenever calm evades you – find a tree, take a seat and look up.  Marvel and wonder await.

The ritual of sky gazing can be found in the ceremony of preparation; the precise laying of beach towel to balance shade and sun.  Rubbing  sunscreen into skin, drifting scents to your nose signalling your brain to relax.  Lastly wriggling around to get comfortable as you iron out lumps of sand with your back.

The ritual complete, I settled in becoming aware of my surroundings;  the lapping of the waves against the shore, the softness of the towel, the breeze tickling my skin.

It was the sway of the trees, however that created a sparkly dance of light and clouds shifting into fantastic lifelike shapes that faded into wispy nothingness which brought me back to centre.

Finally relaxed I was suddenly all too aware of just how tightly I had been holding on, trying to master things that were not mine to control (I am sure you have been there)… as my breathing slowed, I noticed the pent-up exhaustion leaving my body, perhaps released into the plush earth below.

With Koop Island Blues softly playing, I drift into a semi-conscious state and 40 minutes later I am feeling refreshed and mentally light, more so than I have in months. 

Four days later, after a few more sky gazing sessions, I was driving on the busy highway, heading back to my big city life.

Reflecting on my new state of mind, I remembered a piece of Banksy’s art I had seen early that day sagely advising  – ‘if you get tired, learn to rest, not quit’. 

Quite Banksy, quite.

#poolhangs

#poolhangs

Recently I checked my out-of-office to ‘hell yes’, packed my bags and departed to a far-enough-away, hot and humid tropical oasis.  I was desperate for some serious R&R. 

Pulling up to my casa for the next 72 hours, the loveliness of the muggy pungent air snaked it’s way around my body and seeped into my skin. Making my way into the resort, I clocked the infinity pool and knew I was in for some solid chill time.

As time has became the tradable commodity of my life, travel has given way to short sharp #vacays, because as anyone with a taxing professional existence will tell you – if you don’t make time to get away, it won’t be long before they put you away.

These days carefully scheduled weeks to press pause are part of the rituals I have adopted to set me on a path to relaxation redemption.   

To gain the most from the experience, the place chosen to lay one's head should have done all the work (and thinking - oh, the joy!).  

Every one of my needs should be carefully considered and delivered without request or in-fact knowing that it is required (*sigh*).

I have come to realise that the highlight of any solo break and real cure for exhaustion as well as awkwardness and loneliness is a #poolhang. 

The perfect #poolhang starts with ocean views, an accessible bar, poolside waitstaff, soft tunes. Add in a luxury sun bed, soft fluffy towels and azure blue water and you are set. 

Getting up early (sans hangover due to an early night) to beat the throngs of pool goers, I aim to find the perfect spot and settle in for the day.  As the sun begins to warm my skin, relax signals flood my tired body and I feel the hamster wheel of mindless (and endless) problem solving begin to slow.

The warmth of the day building, it's time to take a plunge.  Diving in for the first time is exhilarating - the salt and pepper mix of piping hot sun-warmed skin and icy blue water instantly strips another layer of fatigue as my nervous system flushes with energy.

Climbing (hopefully all insta worthy) out of the pool and curling up on a sun-warmed fluffy towel, my favourite cocktail has stealthily appeared as if like an apparition. The sweet and sour goodness touching my lips, I contemplate the thought that this is a timely version of heaven on earth.

Deep relaxation grabbing hold, I drift in and out of light sleep, calmed by the gentle breeze and background base beat of soft music.

After three straight days of crafting the art of sunny relaxation, I jump on a flight, back to reality a little browner, blonder and calmer.

The world looks a saner and more pleasurable place.  Each spine-tingling swim replenished my inspiration and motivation. I feel capable and yes! excited about the challenges ahead - which is just as well because as one of my favourite sayings goes: "being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is always optional" - (Roger Crawford).