Life: Afternoon Breaks

Afternoon Breaks

Remember when you were at school and every day included a lunch time as well as a morning and afternoon break? It was time to run around, have a snack, and generally give your brain a little time out so you could go into your next class feeling fresh. The teachers needed it and so did us students. When we got older and found ourselves ‘proper’ jobs, the break times disappeared and often, so did the lunch breaks. Hands up who else munches on a sandwich without even looking up from their computer screen?

9-5

These days I blog full time and as lucky as I am, it’s not a 9-5 job, it’s more of a 9-9 job. Seriously. I try to start work around 9am (although I often wake up at 8am to post an Instagram photo and then doze til about 9:30am until my coffee kicks in). Then I write content, reply to emails and take photos until mid-day and then it’s back to the grind, more photos, emails, social media and writing. After dinner, I often get my laptop out again and continue working whilst I half watching a documentary with my boyfriend by my side. I went through a phase of trying not to work in the evenings, but it didn’t last long. Now, I let myself do a little work in the evenings and I’m ok with it, I do the ‘jobs’ I love the most; I write the posts I’m really excited about publishing, I create Pinterest boards, edit photos… anything I really want to do, rather than the more mundane jobs like raising invoices, replying to emails or working on my SEO. I consider these my ‘day’ jobs!

Taking Breaks

Being a blogger is a little like being your own mini online magazine, you have to manage everything from your diary to SEO, photos to content, as well as keep up to date with deadlines, emails, trends and any changes to google or social media platforms. It can be quite intense at times and it’s important to work hard, push yourself and always stay true to who you are. Whilst I fully appreciate my working day is pretty long, I still feel really lucky and I try my hardest to take breaks throughout the day to keep some a balance.

Switching Off

I find it really therapeutic to stop, close my computer and put it at the other side of the room. I try to avoid screens (TV, iphone and laptop) and if I do look at my phone, I force myself to only use it for personal reasons,  like texting a friend or playing music out of. Instead of looking. At screens, I might flick through a coffee table book, rearrange the ornaments on my fireplace or just look at the window at the sea or at Dreamland. I often take the opportunity to light a candle, if I haven’t already and make a snack. Crisps and chocolate might seem like an easy option, but they don’t make me feel great. Instead, I love to have a bowl of fresh fruit and Onken Yogurt. I absolutely adore yoghurt; it’s sweet enough to satisfy my cravings, filling enough to subsice hunger, yet not so much it makes me feel sluggish or ruins my dinner. I’m currently obsessed with Onken’s Coconut Yogurt with which limited edition and so tasty (read more about it here). Sometimes during my afternoon breaks I listen to music, generally old favourites like weezer, pulp, suede, Lana del Rey or Elton John. No matter what it is, I try to slow down, cosy up, eat my yogurt, rest and refresh. It’s probably only 20 minutes out of my day, but it feels important.  I always remind myself of the breaks which were scheduled into our school day and how important time out is. I know when I get back to my computer and carry on with my work, I will make the time back as the break will probably make me feel more productive in the long run. I know it’s harder if you work in an office, but it’s important to give yourself some breathing time in the day and at the very least, make sure you go out at lunch time and clear your head.

♥

This post is sponsored by Onken. For more recipe inspiration and to view the full range please visit www.onken.co.uk