Taking A Breather

Sometimes, taking a sleep in is the best idea for a short break. During the past six weeks, it has been very hectic. I was a part of open day, auditioned for AYO (Australian Youth Orchestra), performed in two gigs  in MYS (Melbourne Youth Strings) and PGYO (Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra), auditioned for piano duo and duet (which I unfortunately didn’t get in), pass my hazards, and recently taken another shift at work. Whenever I look back at those six weeks, it feels like a blur pretty much. I think it is because I tend to just focus on what I have on today, and take it one step at a time. Part of myself always be thinking, “Am I still alive?” with my hectic schedule, or I unconsciously think, “Just GO GO GO!”.

Sometimes, taking a break is a hard decision to make for myself, because I keep myself going. I tend not to realise it until my other half says, “GIRLL, YOU NEEDA BREAK. WAKEE UP!” *slaps my face theoretically* I do agree with my other self when analysing and reflecting how hectic and tiring those weeks has been. Haha.

Here some of the things I usually take a breather:

  • Cuddling with my cat
  • Watch an episode or movie
  • Not thinking about any thing
  • Focusing in the moment
  • Listening to music
  • Working out
  • Catching up with friends
  • SLEEPING INNN!

Whenever I have a busy schedule at uni, I love going to system gardens and have lunch. It’s peaceful, not many people hanging out, and it’s one pretty garden to hang around. I rarely go into union house nowadays, because it’s very crowded, or past the south area of the uni unless if I needed to for classes. It may look like I’m isolating myself from the general university community, but not really towards MCM community, since it’s always down at the south side. It has been a realisation since the start of the year, but I came to accept it any ways.

To summarise my thoughts in this blog post, taking a breather is like, for me, taking a break for my brain. I do take a break once in a while, and I listen to myself more often nowadays. Once in a while is a great thing to do; sleeping in, having a different breakfast routine, and a different schedule. It’s a very nice feeling to take a break, and I cherish it very much when I do. If you have a hectic schedule, no sleep in break whatsoever, do take it once in a while. It feels so satisfying!

And yes, I’m taking my day off today. 🙂

Wednesdays, I have a day off, but I still go to uni. I start my day 8 to practise till 11am, then watch my Music and Health lecture from 11am till about 12:30pm at Lenton Parr library, have lunch at uni, go off for a swim before work, which ends my day at 7:15pm. If I choose to have a “day off” which is staying at home, I sleep in, and study at home, with no practising, or going out with friends with absolutely no studying or practising. Wednesdays are usually a good day to have a breather, if I really need to, since I have work later on. 

-Nicole

2 thoughts on “Taking A Breather

  1. I’m so pleased to hear you’re putting looking after yourself first. It’s sooooo important. Research has shown that taking breaks actually improves our performance. And even if we can’t take a long break, you’re right, just a change of routine can make things feel so much better. Keep it up!

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