Summer has arrived!
The sun is shining and the outdoors is calling. It’s time for backyard BBQs with friends and swimming at the lake with family. Maybe you enjoy camping in the woods or taking a road trip across the country. Whatever it is you enjoy, be sure and make plans now to get out and do it.
I just got back from a much needed vacation to Seattle. The constant grind of being creative can wear you out if you don’t take time to relax. You can only be creative so long until your creative juices get squeezed dry. So take time this summer to get away and recharge.
Here are a few things a nice, relaxing summer vacation can provide:
1. Rest
Whether you want to admit it or not, you need a good night’s sleep. However, this rarely happens. With deadlines to meet, projects to get done, and families to take care of, it can be hard to find the time to get the proper amount of sleep.
Use your vacation to catch up on all that lost shut-eye. Sleep in as late as you want. Plan days where all you do is sit by the pool and do absolutely nothing. Your body will thank you.
2. Remove
As techie/creative types, we all have our favorite gadget.
Our iPhones and Blackberries, laptops and iPods. On top of that, in this social media generation, it is nearly impossible to go through an entire day without checking email or Facebook or Twitter or (insert obligatory social media tool here). Use your vacation to place technology on hold for a while and free your mind from all those distractions.
You’d be amazed at how freeing life can be when you turn off all the gadgets and fully engage in what is happening around you. Ignoring technology for a couple of days can really help clear your mind.
3. Recreate
The nature of church media means that each week there are tight deadlines. We work hard each week to make sure everything is ready to go by the time the weekend rolls around. After work there are other responsibilities like family and friends. Life just gets busy. So here is my suggestion.
Have some fun! Use your vacation to go do whatever is it that you love to do, but usually don’t have time for. Maybe you love roller coasters and water slides. Then go visit an amusement park. Maybe you love the outdoors. Go for a hike or mountain bike ride. Enjoy a paintball war with some friends. Visit some cool place you’ve never been before but have always wanted to go. Start an impromptu water balloon fight.
Whatever you do, have fun!
4. Reconnect
When working in the church it is easy to lose sight of our main purpose, growing the kingdom of God. We can get so caught up in creating for God that we neglect our time with God. If our relationship with Him begins to dry up, it will be harder for us to pour out into those around us.
Dedicate times during your vacation to getting off by yourself and reconnecting with God. Spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word. Go for a walk in the woods or by the lake and thank Him for the talents and gifts He has given you. Return to the source of why you are doing what you are doing.
A few posts on here lately have been talking about the importance of spending time away from our desks. Sometimes we just need to turn off the computer and get some fresh air. God didn’t make us to constantly produce. He tells us to take time to recharge our minds and bodies. Even Jesus spent time alone in the wilderness because He needed to refuel His tanks.
Make it a point this summer to get away. Take time off from all of the technology and let your brain rest. When you come back from your vacation you will be full of new and creative ideas. You can’t keep going and going and expect not to burn out.
Hopefully, when you include a vacation in your summer plans, the only burning you’ll experience will be from the sun.
James says
Great post! I’ve noticed how “Remove” & “Reconnect” are two essential things for me to be able to refuel.
greenhornet79 says
Thanks! It’s crazy how much we depend on technology. It’s sure nice to get a break from it every once in a while.
Marcus Williamson says
Love’m all but I really like #2. I know for me once I truly get away and have time to not “worry” about the next project then when I actually get back to doing it I come back refreshed and ready to rock it!
greenhornet79 says
That’s so true. Worry never helped anyone.
Adam Lehman says
Perfect. During times when I’m dry, I find that a weekend trip to visit old friends always seems to perk me up.
greenhornet79 says
Heck yes for road trips. And double for spending time with good friends.