November was a very busy month for me, how about you? Sometimes when we realise that we’ve been working too hard, it’s too late – we’re already depleted of energy, feeling drained. It’s like the red warning light on the fuel gauge has been on for too long in your car and you know you’re running on vapours. The offer of a long weekend in the South of France was a blessing
although I wondered if I really had time to be away. Does that sound too familiar? There are always reasons not to do go away – lack of time, money, work (except I love what I do!) and all the other things to ‘do’, not to mention the Christmas shopping…. One of my friends booked her ticket to stay with our friend Julia and asked when I was going to book mine…. mmm…. a gentle reminder, it’s time.
As women, traditionally we tend to put our own needs last and a gentle reminder is welcome when we forget. So I booked my ticket a return flight to the South of France for £39! Bargain! And at the start of December, my coaching friend Hilary and I set off to meet our friend Julia who owns a Chateau Ventenac and our long weekend began. We left the cold, rain and drizzle at Luton Airport for the sunnier, more carefree climes of Beziers Airport one hour and 20 minutes away!
Isn’t it amazing how we can be running at 100 miles an hour and have a gazillion things to ‘do’ urgently and yet when the distance separates us from the ‘stuff’ to do, we can feel distance from the stresses? Maybe that’s just me? I could literally feel the pressures and stresses melt off me, and fall away. I began to relax, slow down,
and went from ‘doing’ to ‘being’ very quickly. Sitting on Julia’s terrace without a coat in December, gazing across the Canal du Midi, across the miles and miles of vineyards and nestling on the horizon the Pyrannes mountains sat amongst the fluffy clouds. It was purrrrrfect! I couldn’t have felt more at home, more relaxed and more at peace… heaven.
When was the last time you really stopped what you were doing and took some ‘me time’? Stopped what you were doing and went somewhere different? Even though you felt under pressure, chose to chill out? Being with my two good friends gave me the chance to unwind, catch up on their news and share some of my news too. We laughed, dreamed, wandered, contributed, sat by a crackling open fire and even watched X Factor with a glass of something red and giggly!
Since being back, I’ve been more productive, had more fun, slept better and it feels like I’ve been on a long holiday! It is truly wonderful. So a few days out really can make a huge difference… When are you going to give yourself some time out? Do it! Go on! Whilst I was at Chateau Ventenac I reflected on 2011 and made some decisions about 2012. Have you begun considering what you’d like to achieve in 2012? Exciting isn’t it?
Whilst I was away, I really wished I could share the gorgeous landscape, the beautiful chateau and the time out with my wonderful clients, I know that you too could do with some time to recharge and reflect. So, I mentioned this to Julia who runs her Chateau as a retreat/workshop business, if I could book a week in October 2012 – and guess what? It’s happening! I can’t wait to share more about this with you and I’ll be posting some information about it on this website soon, so keep checking back! 
It would be great to share this time with you, making some life transformations and relaxing too. If you’d like to see more of Chateau Ventenac please stop by Julia’s website http://www.chateauventenac.com.