Greetings Mind Movies community!

Well, the time has come. I’m taking a vacation.

After over a year of lockdowns, navigating a pandemic, launching my new children’s social and emotional learning curriculum in schools, and finding love, I felt that it was time for me to kick my feet up and take a break from work.

And although it’s a short break, I know it’s going to allow me the time I need to reset, refocus, reenergize, and recenter.

You see, my guy and I have the incredible opportunity to take an amazing trip together, and I couldn’t be happier to nurture our relationship by spending quality time with one another.

But to be honest, in the past, I’ve always felt guilty leaving my work at home and taking proper time off. Just knowing that there is work waiting on me back home is something I’ve always felt a little uneasy about.

So it’s understandable if you, too, have a habit of lingering in feelings of guilt and worry when taking time off. And particularly in the workforce, this can be for a variety of reasons like:

- Thinking you will miss too much work

- That your higher-ups think you aren’t pulling your weight

- Feeling like you have to fabricate the truth about why you’re needing time off (when you really just need a vacation!)

- Or even feeling like you might get fired

But, based on what we teach here at Mind Movies, I must remind you that the story we tell ourselves is half the battle. We shouldn’t guilt-trip ourselves into thinking that we aren’t deserving of taking time off, especially after all the hard work we do.

The good news is, it IS possible to take a guilt-free vacation and not feel like your job or position is on the line. So exactly how do you do this?

Well, one of the best things you can do is to plan ahead.

When you value the work that you do, showing initiative and prepping those around you for your time away is paramount to enjoying your vacation. So that while you’re away, you know that all of your bases are covered and no one is left waiting around for your return.

Also, prioritizing your tasks and your days ahead of your time off is going to alleviate any stress or worry that you may have while on vacation mode.

And if you tend to still feel guilt while you’re away, it’s important to reframe the story you are telling yourself. If you are granted vacation time, then it’s important to do just that: use that time to vacation! You are not violating anything here.

You see, when you find yourself constantly working on autopilot mode, without taking breaks for your mental health and well-being, it’s easy for stress and burnout to creep in without you even realizing it. This can affect your ability to focus, and often, productivity can suffer as a result.

So I encourage you to shift your focus to seeing time off as healthy and beneficial to your mental and physical wellbeing. Know that upon your return, you will come back to work feeling re-energized and motivated.

And during your time away, if you still feel that itch to check in and do some remote work, again I encourage you to reframe the story to reassure yourself that you don’t have to. It’s okay to give yourself that option, but remind yourself that it’s not required. Because remember, you’re on vacation.

And the following affirmations are my gift to you that I also use, which I think will also really help you! If you’re struggling with anxiety or feelings of guilt, these affirmations will help you get grounded and live in the moment:

I am at peace with myself

I am fully present today

I allow myself to enjoy my free time

I give myself permission to relax and unwind

I feel confident in asking for what I desire

I treat myself with kindness, love, and respect from this day forward

Forgiveness is a gift of freedom that I give to myself

I welcome self-love and self-compassion

I am confident in the boundaries I set

I hold space for peace and calmness

I am grateful for all that I have

My time is valuable

I enjoy living in the moment

I am worthy of having peace of mind in my everyday life

I have a life worth living

And before I embark on my vacation journey, I’d like to leave you with another little gift – something you can take with you the next time you’re away. It’s a set of our pre-made Mind Movies that you can use to get your mind and spirit in the highest frequency to attract all that you desire in life.

So if you’re still feeling a little guilty or uneasy about taking time off from work and ready to release that worry, use the manifesting power built into these Mind Movies to start feeling the positive, powerful effects of the Universe.

So here’s to a guilt-free vacation, and I’ll chat with you when I’m back!

Ciao,
Nat