What’s your New Year’s getaway? Mine’s a Vespa

In the dark recesses of my garage there lives a Vespa Piaggio (an Italian motor scooter). Liveried in effortlessly cool pistachio green, I bought it many years ago after landing my most senior corporate role. I’d always wanted one and what better way to celebrate the big job than by getting something entirely frivolous even if it felt counter intuitive with my new responsibilities. But it wasn’t just about fulfilling a long-held biking ambition; regular rides on the Vespa also helped me escape the stresses and strains of corporate life. Every time I rode it I felt free and it was like being 25 again!

Why am I telling you this? In the cold, bleak days of January, there is no better time to think about what you can do to connect with the side of yourself that often remains buried beneath the day-to-day responsibilities of your work and home life. For me, it was my scooter that provided the opportunity to get away for an hour or two, but it doesn’t have to be a vehicle; it could be a lunchtime walk in the park, a dip into a great book, or it could just simply be a special object collected from a holiday or memorable occasion that, when you hold it, helps you to relax as your mind clears.?

Something or somewhere to clear the mind

Many of us rarely take the time or the opportunity to step away from our roles – even for five minutes – so having something or somewhere that can make that happen can only be a good thing for our mental and physical wellbeing.?

And what of the Vespa? I’m sad to say that in recent times those outings have been few and far between – there’s work and home life getting in the way again – but the other day I pulled it out of the garage and it started first kick. Surely that’s a sign to take to the road to release some of that pressure.?

So, if you see a green Vespa out and about, it may well be me. Give me a hoot – I’m carefree, thinking of nothing but the open road, and I’m 25 again!

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