I realised that social media has been playing a major role in filling the gaping void of connection in my life.

I felt connected. I saw the holiday pictures of friends, commented on stories, liked the posts of fellow practitioners I knew. I was up to date… so I wasn’t reaching out as much in other ways, picking up the phone for a chat, checking in, or making dates to actually meet. And forget putting myself out there to make new local friends…

But the thing is, this sense of connection I was getting through social media was largely false. Yes, it gave me a short-term feeling of connection, but without the depth of a proper catch-up.

For as long as I can remember, holidays have been my escape. 

A pause button.
A place that felt better than my real life.
Somewhere I could breathe, feel lighter, more myself.

When I think about it, I realise this is most definitely a hangover from my teaching days… and come to think of it my own education prior to that!  My life was divided into periods of several weeks spent working before the next holiday arrived, and I constantly found myself counting down, hoping for time to pass quickly so I could finally feel 'free'.

But the thing is, and without realising it, that pattern fully embedded itself and quietly whispered:
“The grass is greener somewhere else.

That has, in turn became a mantra that has ruled every area of my life.

This last holiday showed me something different.