You Deserve a Holiday Too
Why taking time for yourself on holiday isn't selfish - it's essential.
Scroll through social media from June and holidays look like something out of a brochure. Smiling faces. Sunset dinners. Matching outfits. Everyone relaxed, laughing and making memories together every single moment.
It paints a picture of everyone being together from breakfast until bedtime. Whether you're away with your family, your partner, friends, siblings or a group of people you love, it can feel like every moment should be shared.
But here's the truth...
It's a myth.
There's no such thing as the perfect holiday.
As much as we love the people we're travelling with, being together 24/7 is a lot. Different personalities. Different energy levels. Different expectations. Throw in the heat, disrupted routines and one too many ice creams and drinks, and it's no wonder we all need a breather now and then.
Yet so many of us - especially women- carry this quiet guilt that if we take a little time for ourselves, we're somehow missing out or letting everyone else down.
We're not. If anything, it's the opposite.
The Power of Small Moments
The best thing you can do on holiday isn't to be present every minute of every day. It's to make sure you're present for yourself too. Carve out little moments that are just yours.
Maybe that's a quiet ten minutes with your coffee before anyone else is awake. A walk along the beach. Half an hour in the hotel gym. Sitting with a book. Leaving your phone behind for an hour. Wandering through a local market on your own. Or simply sitting still and breathing.
Whatever fills your cup.
What Happened When I Finally Tried It
On my recent holiday, I decided to stop thinking about taking time for myself and actually do it. Instead of feeling guilty, I gave myself permission to take those moments.
And do you know what happened? Nothing.
No one complained. No one felt abandoned. Most of the time they didn't even notice.
While I enjoyed my downtime, everyone else naturally found theirs too. Some went for a swim. Some chatted. Some read. Some simply relaxed. The holiday carried on exactly as it should. The guilt I'd carried for years simply disappeared, because the thing I'd worried about never actually happened. Everyone was absolutely fine. And those small pockets of time gave me space to breathe, reset and reconnect with myself - which meant I actually enjoyed the time we spent together even more."
Quality beats quantity.
Being fully present for an hour is far more valuable than being physically there all day while running on empty. When I came home, I didn't just have photos and a bit of a tan. I came home feeling lighter. More rested. More like myself. Because making space for myself didn't take anything away from the people I was with - it allowed me to enjoy our time together even more.
Give Yourself Permission This Summer
If you're heading away this summer, try this simple mindset shift.
Decide what your 'me time' looks like before you go. Whether it's a morning walk, a quiet coffee, a gym session, reading a few chapters of a book or simply sitting in silence for ten minutes, think about what helps you feel like you.
Plan it in. Don't wait and hope you'll find the time. Protect it in the same way you'd protect a dinner reservation or a day trip.
Let go of the guilt. Taking time for yourself isn't letting anyone down. The people you're travelling with will find their own rhythm too, just like mine did.
Be fully present when you're together. Time apart isn't about disconnecting - it's about recharging so you can enjoy the moments you share even more.
Come home feeling rested, not resentful. Remember, whether you're travelling with family, friends, your partner or siblings, you don't have to spend every minute together to create wonderful memories. Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself and the people you love is permission to take a little time just for you.
How I can help
Putting yourself on your own list feels uncomfortable for so many women - not just on holiday, but in everyday life too. If you'd like some support with that, I'd love to help. Book a free discovery call and let's chat.