I hesitated booking a break for an entire month. I actually booked to be in Barbados, the country of my parents birth, for my 59th birthday in April 2021. As the month of March approached and the Covid case numbers showed no signs of abating, my hopes fell. My flight was moved to September and although I was disappointed it was for the best. Unfortunately Soufriere erupted in St Vincent and the Grenadines in April*. My birthday weekend would have been spent in darkness, heat and confusion indoors. The volcano caused devastation across its host island and nearby, especially Barbados. I felt for family and friends in both countries and feel extremely grateful that they were spared too much discomfort.
When August arrived I realised that many small businesses had chosen that month to rest and step away from social media. It made sense, as many of the businesses that I interact with have school age children so wanted to spend time with family in (supposedly) sunny weather. I must admit then, that I questioned the wisdom of choosing September, a month when many are returning to work and school to take an entire month away from my own business. 3 weeks and 5 days to be exact. Surely that’s madness!
Here’s the thing. September has always been a time of reflection for me. For 28 years September meant a return to my workplace . It was also time to ‘batten down the hatches’, take a good long look at my finances after a wild summer of frolicking, holidaying or chucking money at children’s activities. My credit card longed for a September break. It was TIYAD. But when I left teaching after menopause slipped in and I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, September took on a whole new meaning. 2015 found me in therapy and navigating grief after my Aunt Monica passed suddenly a few months previously. Plus the grief of leaving a long career behind. Teaching was something I thought I’d do until I retired. What now? As all my teaching mates were free when I wasn’t it was kinda lonely. So September became Barbados time. The moment Inset day was done I was packing to fly out. Freed from the tyranny of exorbitant school holiday prices it became the most sensible option too. Still a month was a stretch. Could I afford to take that much time off?
Turns out I could. I just had to work smarter. And it was just what I needed. Time with my family. Time to sleep. Time to eat my weight in Rum and Raisin ice-cream from Chefette - Barbados’ best know fast food joint. Time full stop. I was apprehensive about Covid and the paperwork, apps, and box ticking threatened to give me a headache. But, fully vaccinated, everything checked and printed off to within an inch of its life, I arrived at Heathrow on September the 3rd and landed a few hours later ready to… quarantine. Barbados is necessarily strict about its entry procedure and it was painless and streamlined. Two days later I was free to meet my family and live my life. I felt safe and confident when out and about as protocols for public spaces are clear and I trust Prime minister Mia Mottley’s leadership. Imagine trusting a government! Wish I could say the same for the UK. I said what i said.
I’m back in Blighty now. I have my customary UK sniffles and a bit of post holiday blues. But I’m ready to do it all over again…maybe even before September 2022. It is my 60th year after all! Wait and see.
Random photos of family, friends (old and new), food, beaches and lush vegetation. Plus my new Barbados ID card. Soon come.
Do you take time to reflect and recharge? Which is your favourite month to do so? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do comment below.
*You can donate to help St Vincent and The Grenadines recover and rebuild from the Soufriere eruption via the High Commission in the UK HERE
