October 22, 2019
I have a question for the women reading this: When was the last time you did something special for yourself?
Not a vacation with your family that you had to plan and manage — an actual getaway, just for you.
If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. Women disproportionately bear the unrelenting stress of trying to get ahead in business while managing the home. This mindset doesn’t just affect mothers and women in relationships, though — many of us, regardless of our home lives, also assume those tasks at work.
How do you know when you need a break? If the following rings true to you, it’s time.
Your creativity has dried up
Creativity is a battery that needs to be recharged. When was the last time you visited a museum or enjoyed connecting with the outdoors? When did you last create something just for the sake of creating?
You feel like you can’t connect
Women tend to put their own social needs on the back burner. Instead of recharging with friends over a glass of wine or meeting up with a running club before work, we tend to focus on making sure the people around us are OK. And yet studies show that people who cultivate their relationships live longer, happier lives.
You’re tired all the time
Women are more likely to suffer from insomnia than men — an astounding 57 percent of us report we experience insomnia at least a few nights a week. Without proper rest, we simply can’t handle the rest of our lives. It’s as simple as that.
You find yourself fantasizing about winning the lottery. A lot.
When your thoughts veer from daydreaming to escapist thinking, it’s a warning sign. Allowing yourself to indulge in too much escapism can create a cycle of low productivity and burnout.
If you see yourself in that list, consider recharging your battery with my Bike, Barge, and Bond 2020 River Cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium from Aug. 14-22, 2020. It’s a chance to forgo the usual madcap tourist dash for the slower pace of a bike and river barge. You’ll experience the Netherlands and Belgium propelled by your own power, with plenty of time to savor each new sight and sensation. During the evening, you’ll enjoy cultural walks, engage in thoughtful conversations, and learn how to maximize your potential.
By the end of the river cruise, you will have traveled from Brussels to Amsterdam and rediscovered your sense of adventure. This is a chance to do something for yourself, to recharge your creative juices, and to meet other fascinating women.
Space is limited to only 18 women, so sign up now — these spots will go fast! I hope you take this opportunity to carve out time for yourself.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Personal development, Travel, Communication, Etiquette Tips, Everyday Etiquette, Just for Fun and tagged Amsterdam canal, travel, personal growth, cycling, women, bike & barge, Amsterdam, Belgium, river cruise
April 14, 2011
I’ve been out of the country this week–traveling through The Netherlands, visiting with family, attending the Global Speakers Summit, and enjoying the miles and miles of sandy beaches. It’s been quite magical and I am trying to savour every moment of the journey. It’s always so exciting to me, to immerse myself in another culture.
I’m traveling with my son, which makes it all the more special. We’ve learned about the history of Amsterdam while sailing along the various canals. And we took a boat trip around the harbour of Rotterdam–which was once the largest port in the world (now the second-largest). Rotterdam is very modern, with some of the most unique architecture I have ever seen. Cube homes and buildings with large overhangs across the street or water. Certainly much larger than the overhang over the Grand Canyon!
It has finally sunk in why the Dutch are so hard working… it’s the caffeine. Yesterday, I was determined to keep up but I had to quit at 2 espresso’s 2 cappucino’s and 2 teas. Even while shopping, I was issued an espresso. There’s no looking at clothes until you’ve had a conversation about life, and had your COFFEE!
The current fashion trend here is boots, boots, boots. Ninety nine percent of the women were wearing boots. Tall, tight boots are for winter and cold days and ankle length wide-legged boots are for warmer spring days. Apparently, then the air can circulate.
Another new fashion trend is “treggings,” — a cross between leggings and trousers. Tight legged is the norm, with stretch. No woman is caught in the main centers wearing jogging pants.
Tunic tops and longer tops are everywhere, with short jackets. Remember when we would not be caught dead with blouses longer the jackets? Well the reverse now holds true here. Silver is everywhere and the jewelry is definitely big and chunky.
Makeup is minimal.
Our last errand of the day was to buy flowers to take to my mother’s twin sister. The cost of 20 roses was 6.50 euros, or just under $10. Why wouldn’t you have your home filled with flowers??!!
The Dutch are so much more direct and open than we are, especially about body parts. When the women were discussing
breasts (and not in general terms but very personal terms)Michael, my son, was a bit uncomfortable. A Dutch man simply explained to him in his broken English – “Isn’t it nice to hear woman talk about their breasts”.
As for me I’m just going with the flow. While in Holland I will do as the Dutch do as I explore my cultural roots.
Next up? A bicycle tour! (stay tuned for more on that!)
Life Explorer
Margaret
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Posted by Margaret in Just for Fun and tagged Amsterdam canal, culture, Holland, travel, vacation
