BoomerGirl Diary

In recent conversations with friends, the subject of overwork and lack of vacations has popped up.

“How come you Europeans take such long vacations?” asked Denise.

This was in reference to my recent five-week trip to England and Ireland.

“Why do we Americans work so hard and why do we feel guilty about taking time off?” pondered Louise.

“I blame it on us boomers,” Kim announced. “Our grandparents and parents had to work so hard after the Depression, and now we’re trying to prove we can work as hard or even harder than them.”

Our conversation has been echoed in several American newspaper columns fairly recently.

When I worked in England, I had nine weeks of annual paid leave, plus Bank Holidays. I made five-week visits to siblings in America, and took the rest in two-week (or fortnight) blocks to go to places where work couldn’t find me. Economy holiday packages are readily available throughout Europe since travel is a massive industry.

European holidays grew from an older tradition. Originally these were “holy days” tied to church celebrations throughout the year. Sundays were “holy days” and most people took time off to recuperate from the week. During childhood holidays in County Donegal, Ireland; the only “work” my uncles did on Sunday was cow milking. Special Sundays, like Pentecost for example, were often extended into “the long weekend” with people resting from work on the Friday, Saturday and Monday as well.

The holy-day practice developed from the concept of the Sabbath (or seventh) Day when God took time to “rest from labor.” People took “a Sabbath” to care for the soul and revive the spirit. I love something Jesus said which is related to all of this:

“Consider the lilies in the fields. They neither work nor spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these.”

Why didn’t he just say: “Look at the lilies?”

Or even “Don’t you see those beautiful flowers?”

No, he said, “consider.” Considering invites us to really stop and look more closely. It is an opportunity for reflection. The poet William Blake wrote: “What is this life if full of care; we have not time to stand and stare?”

Life can be demanding for women, especially as our multi-tasking skills become less multi. I still think I should be able to do everything just as quickly and efficiently as I did when I was younger and did not have to think — never mind consider — too much of anything. No wonder I forget so often; my head is so full of “things to do.”

I know I need more balance in my everyday life, not just when I am on holiday. I need time to really consider the lilies and other miracles around me. I know I miss out on many opportunities for quiet and deep reflection. I often function as a human doing rather than a human being.

Taking holy-days and periods away from heavy schedules to revive our soul and spirit doesn’t have to cost much. I know women who turn off phones and computers, and have soul-refresher days at home. I recently told my boss I was taking a mental health day because I felt an emotional flu coming on. I lolled around at home all day and have felt much better ever since.

I know I need to ask why I allow myself get to the stage when I have to take such drastic action?

What do you do to renew your spirit and create holy-days or soul-time in your life?

Before summer ends all too quickly, let’s share some ideas for slowing down and getting in touch with our spirits.