Hey what’s up! Got some time tonight after a long weekend of getting some air out, meeting with family over food and cleaning the tiny house after we moved 3 weeks ago.

Got some time to check my life in lately. Got finally some real downtime.

We kickstart 2021 with so many plans in mind and we were not stopping. We, meaning I and Franz, my husband, in case you didn’t know yet that I’m married already. ❤ Since March, I and Franz were always out over the weekend buying construction materials and on weekdays, we take turns on checking out the construction and all the countless errands at home and of course, accompanied by taking care of the hyper doggos here in the house and of course, our day job which takes up so much of our everyday life.

But really, I felt so productive for both life and work since March. From the time, we decided to pursue our plans to construct an extension of our house and build a tiny loft house for us and the dogs, we are totally on the game. We are definitely tired, but everything was worth it and was an amazing learning experience for the both of us. There are times that we were about to give up because sometimes, it gets frustrating. It’s even draining – financially draining. 😀 But again, all the stress, hard work were totally worth it. Our set up was pretty simple – office area, toilet and living space for the dogs on the ground and on the loft is our sleeping zone and a tiny balcony facing Mt. Talomo. I’ll check with Franz if we are ready to share our building masterpiece. 😀

So that was almost 5 months of unstoppable days! Though we are not done yet of the home renovation because we still have 1 more this coming October which we will start preparing on by next month. And I’m just glad we got back our reenergizing days since we moved in and I am enjoying every bit of it until the end of September.

From this experience, I have totally learned setting boundaries between my work and the one we so-called “life”. Though work in reality is part of life. 😀 If you have read my previous blogposts, you’ll know how I was so immersed in my work and escaping to life through my spontaneous travels. But in 2020, I came to a turning point in my life where I was so down and helpless after getting drowned from all the overwhelming stress and pressure I give myself. And right now, I’m glad I’ve finally learned how to manage it. Depression if treated will not promise that it will not comeback. Life circumstances, work stress will trigger it to come back. But when you get treated just like me, I get to learn how to cope from it, sail with it and rise again from it.

Though right now I’m still taking my medication with lower dosage, it would be of great help if we also strictly impose ourselves with healing.

• Taking rest when tired.
• Listening to your body.
• Learning to stop or pause.
• Setting boundaries and limits
• Not feeling guilty when your doing nothing.

And for you to be able to do that, you need to learn to set some time – specifically downtime.

So, if would ask me when do you need a downtime, my answer would be – you better ask yourself.

• Ask yourself if you’re tired – physically, emotionally, mentally.
• Ask yourself if you have heard your body lately – do you get enough sleep? do you eat healthily or on the right time?
• Ask yourself when was the last time you enjoyed and had fun – maybe just binge watching a series? enjoyed a dessert?
• Ask yourself when was the last time you lived a day just thinking of yourself – no work, nothing just you!

Well from these questions, you’ll know if you need some downtime right away. If you get confused while answering, I’m leaving you with a reminder that …

Give yourself something you will be thanked of and not regret of. Because no one – even work- should dictate when you need some downtime.

Have a great week ahead! 🙂