The Art of Living

Our family returned from an amazing trip to Europe a couple weeks back, and when I say "family," I mean all five of us, including our four-year-old. Aye! Those familiar with us know that Martin family trips often involve just one parent and one child, given the constraints of kid school logistics and work commitments. Both my husband and I have demanding careers and managing them alongside three kids without assistance is no small task. These divided travel experiences have become the norm in a not so great way. Consequently, this trip marked a significant milestone as we ventured through the streets of Paris and Barcelona with the entire energetic bunch in tow.

Embracing Offline Freedom

This was truly my first "offline" vacation in many years. It was the first time I resisted the urge to join calls, let email alerts interrupt meals, or respond to work-related texts. Despite the demanding nature of my career over the years, the choice to not fully disconnect during my time off was entirely my own.

As I reflect on why I've harbored this inclination throughout my career to often prioritize work over life, I had to dig deep. Why did I always feel the compulsion to remain constantly connected? Why did I experience guilt when taking time off? Why did I fear that something might go awry if I detached, or that the office would judge me for not being present? Why did I feel the need to demonstrate that I could excel in my career while raising three children and never be offline, even when thousands of miles away? Every working mom I know struggles with this. We want it all.

Throughout these long, tethered years, exhaustion consumed me. I felt drained, worn out, and grappling with creative mindshare, which is crucial for someone in charge of a marketing team. I was perpetually running on empty. Work consumed all my effort and energy while motherhood amplified all my impatience and exhaustion. Messed up, right?

Embracing Presence and Finding Inspiration

As I journeyed the trip with my wonderful group of ferals, I gradually relaxed. It took me a full three days to break the habit of constantly checking my phone, scrolling through social media, reading the news, and checking emails. However, something remarkable began to occur. I started to feel revitalized and invigorated, with ideas flowing out of my mind more rapidly than they had in perhaps a decade. My family enjoyed having me around, and I took the opportunity to immerse myself in new experiences. I discovered the essence of living fully and approached adventures with a clear mind. I discovered the importance of serenity and concentration. I experienced a newfound sense of strength and empowerment, ready to take on any challenge that came my way. In essence, I learned the art of living.

And guess what that newfound invigoration did for that creative mindshare – it blew it up. None of this information is revolutionary, of course. We all know that taking time off is essential for promoting well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction, but the pressure to do it all remains – especially for moms. I had urged my team to really take their PTO, disconnect, and explore new experiences. So, why didn't I follow my own advice?

Life is short, guys. And it’s an adventure meant to be experienced fully. When we have those opportunities for free time, it's essential to truly disconnect and embrace them. Your family, your health, and your career will thank you.

"Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim." ~Tyler Gregson