Trwyn Tal retreat

Recharge, refocus, relax

Recharge, refocus, relax in the Welsh mountains

Work Life Balance

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“Work-Life Balance” … it’s a very familiar phrase, often talked about, frequently identified as something to “sort out.” But what does it actually mean?

This week we’ll be exploring work-life balance from lots of different angles –  clarifying what it means for you, introducing ways that you can create and maintain a better balance for yourself, and exploring perspectives that increase the choices open to you.

So what is it that draws you to work-life balance?

It often becomes a hot topic when work feels like it’s taking over, occupying more time and/or energy than you’d like. You may also be seeking more flexibility in your working hours to accomodate time with your children, space for professional development or to focus on your health. You may be seeking promotion, considering going self-employed, or wanting to discover how you can earn your living doing something that you love.

Work-life balance will change if you are starting  a family, extending your family or entering retirement. You may seek to adjust the balance if you want to take up a new hobby, meet the partner of your dreams, care for a loved one or are handling an illness. You may want to be able to give more to your community, friends or family. Or you may just have some general internal feeling that “something’s off kilter.”

Work-life balance succeeds when you cover the elements that are relevant for you in a way that feels good to you. There is no standard answer, no “bish-bash-bosh” pre-determined balance formula. But there are tools, techniques and questions that make it easier for you to find out what will work for you and your balance. That’s what the More to… Work-life balance week is about.

My hope is that these blogs provide you with some clarity about your current balance, how you can create or re-establish a balance that works for you, and how you can maintain that balance. Sound good? First step coming right up.

Step 1: More to life in Work-Life balance

 

Welsh Mountain Retreat Holidays to help you recharge, refocus & relax

Look for the easy way

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Do you look for the easy way? Most British Mountains have steep bits, gentler bits and bits that are something in between. Some might be pretty gentle all over, some might do the opposite and have some “seriously don’t-fall-off-here” bits with extreme risk. All mountains have a summit. That is, after all, how they are defined.

Spot the "Seriously don't fall off here" bit

Splendid, so that’s squidged all the magnificence, variety, playfulness and challenge of our British mountains into a few short sentences.

The interesting question is what kind of route you look for:

If you have the skills and want a bit of excitement, you might seek out one of those steeper bits, understand the risks, be well equipped to enjoy handling them and shin straight up.

A safe bit of shinning straight up

If you don’t have those skills or you find that kind of steep terrain somewhat terrifying, you might also be tempted to dismiss the entire mountain as unobtainable. After all, you’ve seen what other people have to do to get up there, and it looks impossible and dangerous.

Come to think of it, even if you could stroll up, you might dismiss the mountain because you think, “it rains lots and walking in the rain means getting wet and that stinks”. In short, getting up the mountain looks sufficiently unpleasant, scary, unsafe and just plain hard that you have no motivation even for a single step.

Bleaaargh.

Now swap the mountain for something you want but are not currently pursuing. Maybe for years you have promised yourself you’d change job, address your stress level, go self employed, get fit, find a soulmate…Have you ever wanted something, looked at what other people go through to get it and reluctantly, or fearfully, dismissed your entire mountain?

Hang around a little longer, lets look at the mountain more carefully. Some people like going up the vertical bits, fine. But there are also gentler ways. If you assume that there might be an easier way for you and you actively go and look for it, you are very likely to find it. If you’re willing to search, if you’re prepared to zig and zag a bit rather than take a direct line and if you patiently persist with taking little steps, you can get to the top in a way that suits you. Your only responsibility is to look out for the way that feels easy for you.

So whether you’re choosing your next mountain walk, or looking at something that feels challenging:

What’s the easiest way that works for you?

Possible side effects: Spare energy, enjoyment

Mountain Retreats, rediscover what makes you smile

P.S Yes, there are also easy ways that you can look for the easy way…!

Two Pairs of Socks

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Comfy feet… comfy walk. With all the luxurious, clever walking gear out there these days, you can expect to walk without your boots rubbing up blisters. To enjoy that kind of comfort, you just need the right socks and the right boots. So click on this link for our tips on how to buy boots you’ll love and read on for the all important guide to…Socks

Golden Rule

ALWAYS wear proper walking socks for hill walks. Proper walking socks are designed to wick moisture away from hot feets, they’re comfortable even when wet, and they’re padded in all the right places.

Cotton socks are outrageous for hill walking and will blister your feet with a fiendish cotton blistering skill. They don’t do the wicking thing, and the fibres are ruffer. Say NO to cotton socks.

Even ski-ing socks will not be so good – they are designed for a different purpose (er … ski-ing) and do not stand up to mountain walks.

Liner Socks

These are thin little chaps, designed to reduce any potential for rubbing even further and keep your paws happy. They go under your main socks and quietly do their thing.  So you wear two pairs of socks.

Walking Socks

These are the cuddly socks with plenty of padding, particularly on the heel and ball of the foot. Look for trekking socks, hiking socks and similar. There’ll be summer and winter versions and varying degrees of padding. Check out what works best for you and your boots (take them along to try them with the socks if you’re getting walking socks for the first time).

There’s loads of brands to choose from like Bridgedale, Thorlo and 1000 mile, and they’re widely stocked in outdoor gear shops.

Two Pairs of Socks?
I’m often asked if the liner socks are essential, and I think the answer has to be no. The walking socks are essential. The liner socks are worth trying, but go with what works best for you and your boots. I use liner socks for longer walks and when I’m doing multi-day treks with long days; other days I just use my walking socks without liners.

As an alternative, you will now also find some “fusion” socks in the shops, which claim to do the job of liner and walking sock combined. I haven’t tried these out yet, as my current socks are doing just fine.

Socks and Boots
Finally, when buying boots, make sure you wear your walking socks, it does make a difference to the fine tuning of boot fit.

So there you go, two pairs of socks, boots that you love and you can pootle as much as you like without blisters or sore feets.

Happy Walking!

Sarah x

Relaxing, inspiring, pampering Mountain Retreats – with magical walks & Sticky Toffee Pudding: http://www.more-to.org

In the famous Llanthony valley, near Hay-on-Wye.

No socks were harmed in the writing of this post.

Four Valley Views

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Welcome to the Ewyas Valley, in the Black Mountains above Hay-on-Wye… Beautiful in all seasons, all weathers!  I have been leading walks in the valley since 2001, and running retreats at the farm since 2009. I am undeniably besotted, biased and in love with this valley. Here is just the smallest taster of its Autumn moods:

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September warmth, looking towards Gospel Pass
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Mellow grey skies set off the green and gold
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Crisp November colours – vibrant!
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Soft October morning mist … peaceful

Of course, in real life the valley is much, much more beautiful!

Relaxing, inspiring, uber-flexible Mountain Retreat Holidays – with Chocolate Pudding:

In the famous Llanthony valley, near Hay-on-Wye.