We took the weekend off. It’s very rare we go away for the bank holiday, I prefer to avoid the masses of people that had to the Lake District and go off-season. The weather can be less predictable but travelling, parking, eating out is so much easier. But sometimes I get restless and it’s usually a sign that I need a break. We’re both self employed and even with the best intentions of a stress free weekend at home, the internet comes calling. We don’t have the budget for a bank holiday cottage in The Lakes’ hot spots like Keswick, Coniston or Ullswater but an hours googling found the perfect bargain just outside the National Park in a tiny village called Gilcrux near the coast. Yet within an hour of my favourite Lake’s hotspot of Buttermere.
I’ve swum (outdoors) lots, walked high mountain walks, spent valuable time with my loved ones and dabbles at Paddleboarding. I’ve recharged, but also come back absolutely exhausted.
The 9 mile fell walk, covering 4 almost 3,000ft peaks was difficult and tiring at 32. 20 years later it is tougher still, but very worth it. I have swum solo in Buttermere, I wanted to swim end to end, but the logistics of having the dogs with us prevented me. I did, however, swim for an hour which was approximately half way and back. I’m thrilled with that achievement. Then we paddle-boarded, walked more, swum more. We came back late on Monday to avoid the traffic and I was in work Tuesday before swimming again.
I felt tired, but rejuvenated mentally and that is really important to remember because today it has hit me physically. I don’t bounce back as quickly as I used to, some of that may be side effects to my cancer treatment, but some and perhaps most is just down to that extra 20 years. The weekend and additional activities have left me physically drained. Where the mind has benefited, the body has struggled and I need to remember to allow my body a little time to recover too.
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Carolyn Trafford is a Creative Life Coach, supporting others in reaching their own goals in a creative way sine 2010. Author of “Don’t Just Dream It – Achieve It!” (A great way to kickstart those goals). This interactive book is available from her online shop: https://carolyntraffordart.ecwid.com/Dont-Just-Dream-It-Achieve-It-Book-p196854491) . She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on the 20th September 2021 following her first routine screening with the NHS at 51.
Carolyn Trafford
Artist & Creative Coach
07714 216388
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