Comments on: Time Off Clock Time

By: Dee

Dee — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:07:17 +0000

@ Krizia at Eat Smart Age Smart

I can’t get enough lattes and books to rejuvenate, especially if they could be in Italy! Funny latte in Italy experience I had. I ordered a latte, thinking, you know, the kind Starbucks has… the waiter looked at me funny, asked me if I wanted it hot or cold, confirmed… and then brought me hot milk.

By: Eat Smart Age Smart

Eat Smart Age Smart — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:18:51 +0000

Dee,

For me taking a break is going as far away as possible from my home. My destination of choice is Europe.

I find it essential to become grounded again. Since winter has been grey and long, I intend on heading down south in the next few months to “far niente” as the Italians say.

When it comes to taking a break here, it’s usually a nice cup of latte or heading to my favourite coffee shop with my favourite book for a few hours of balanced-relaxation!

Thanks for your great post!

Krizia from SITS!
Eat Smart Age Smart´s last blog ..10 reasons why I workout regularly

By: Dee

Dee — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:37:33 +0000

@ Leigh, You are so right about needing both in life… the long coffee taking in the view and the Starbucks to go. I think coffee has become the perfect metaphor for the subject of balance!

By: Dee

Dee — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:33:26 +0000

@ Lena, I think as long as its working for you Lena then that’s what’s important. If you start to find life too hectic, perhaps then you figure out how to find more time off the clock. Even my 20 minute siesta, which I got into the habit of in Spain, works wonders for me each day.

By: Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom

Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:09:37 +0000

just stopping by from SITS – love your blog… my husband is a prof and we are counting down to a sabbatical year which I think will be wonderful for our kids.
Welcome to SITS and I will look forward to reading more
Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom´s last blog ..‘Iwannastay’

By: Leigh Shulman

Leigh Shulman — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:12:48 +0000

This is a really lovely piece, Dee.

How true that peace and balance are all in your way of seeing things. Life with weekday lunches at home with the family and long coffees or a glass of wine require a different viewpoint than a fast to-go Starbucks in a paper cup.

I’m not saying that one is better than the other, but they do have different purposes and different outcomes.

By: lena

lena — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:23:33 +0000

I wish I could say I am trying to, but life is way too hectic. But sometimes, a day or two in a month I let myself lazy around doing nothing, having food in bed and watching movies or reading a book.
The last time when I actually had a longer period of time off for myself was during my vacation trip to India last Summer. I just fond myself again in an absolutely different rhythm of life. Felt great
lena´s last blog ..3 Facts: Barcelona

By: Dee

Dee — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:04:30 +0000

I am sure being completely freelance and traveling does pose challenges to accomplishing work. I remember that from my days in Spain. Now that I’m not traveling, I find myself getting pulled back into too much work and clock time. I like your strategy of weekly goals and boundaries. The boundaries are hard for me since I too enjoy my work and like to immerse in it.

Do you constantly travel and how often are you in one place? Do you find you still get to enjoy exploring and seeing new things or do you find yourself landing somewhere new and trying to set up “shop” all over again?

By: Anil

Anil — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:37:32 +0000

It’s hard for me since I’m completely freelance and travel at the same time. The temptation to relax and explore is always there but the reverse is true for me personally. I like to work and work hard when I do.

I need a schedule and set of goals for myself that I set usually at the beginning of each week. That way I’ve got boundaries to stay within but still feel like I’m accomplishing things when I’m off the clock too.