Lucky Brand Ikat Cardigan, in straight and plus sizes

No one can Take a Break like I can. I have no problem leaving the dishes unwashed for days or eating saltines and Earth Balance for a week rather than going grocery shopping. So I am well-equipped on advising people how to take some time off for themselves. And for many people, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is the perfect time to take a little break. Relax from the holiday and year-end rush, reflect on the year ahead. So I thought I would share some tips on how to really take advantage of a little time off or even  just some “quieter than usual” time.

Don’t be afraid to say no to holiday invitations

If going to a festive gathering has you feeling more anxious than excited, just channel your inner Phoebe Buffay and respond, “I wish I could…but I don’t want to.” People can have a hard time letting you say No Thank You to their invitation, but stand firm. You will feel better in the end.

Caslon Button-Front Chambray Shirt, size 4x plus. Available in straight, petite and plus sizes.

Have at least 2-3 books at hand that you’ve been wanting to read

Not that you’ll necessarily get to all of them but a spare or two is good in case you start one and it’s just not resonating with you. Don’t feel guilty about putting a book down if you’re not enjoying the story-line or the story-telling. Pass it on to someone else who might enjoy it and lay back down on the sofa with the next book.

Edit Your Movie Watch List

The same goes for movies and/or series to binge-watch. Edit your Watch List ahead of time so when you finally get comfy with a blanket and a snack, you can just watch next next next for an entire afternoon of mindless entertainment.

Go Outside

Do get outside. Go for a long drive somewhere. Open the windows for a bit even if it’s cold. Go for a walk in the woods or along a beach. Get some fresh air.

Eat Somewhere New

Stopping at a new little cafe for soup and a sandwich can feel like a little mini-vacation if you really get outside your normal stomping grounds. Eat alone. Read that book.

Try a new skill

Draw. Paint. Tap out a tune on a piano. Make a birdhouse. Sew some curtains. Bead a bracelet. Wool felt a cute lil animal. Do something creative that will take all your attention for a little while.

Turn off your alarm

This is not the time for schedules or forced awakenings. Go to sleep when you feel sleepy, wake up on your body’s natural rhythm. Take a nap in the afternoon.

Take a long hot bath

Still reading that book? Bring it with you into the bathtub and just let the hot water soak into your muscles for a long, long time.

Do something productive

While doing something productive can seem counter-productive to taking a break, sometimes if I don’t accomplish anything I might feel I “wasted” my time. Sometimes things linger on your To Do list for far too long because you don’t have time for them while living your normally scheduled life. If you can wipe a thing or two (but don’t go crazy) off the list, the “break break” can feel worth it.

Schedule something fun for after the break

Give yourself something to look forward to in the future so the end of the break doesn’t feel like the end of fun forever and ever.

I hope all of you do have some sort of break right now. Even if you’re at work, I hope things are a little easier right now. At the very least, take a little weekend respite now that we’re through Christmas.

What I’m Wearing:

Today I’m linking up with Patti of Not Dead Yet Style on her Visible Monday link-up

Photography by Robert Mitchell Photography

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