As the year draws to a close, I’m reminded of the excitement I used to feel - leaving the pressures of work behind. Disconnecting from projects, budgets and deliverables, even for a few short weeks, felt like a rare gift 🎁 .
It was a time to mend family relationships strained by life’s demands, to escape the city and immerse myself in a seaside holiday or inland camping spot. These places, shared with others seeking the same solace, became sanctuaries of rejuvenation.
I recall the joy of packing the car and trailer, preparing to head off. My kids could run free, embrace their independence and bask in the fresh air. My wife and I reconnected, rediscovering the harmony often lost in daily life’s rush. But is this harmony only tied to holidays?
🌟 Or can we bring some of that joy into everyday life?
🌟 What changes would it take?
🌟 What control would I need to relinquish?
🌟 What anxieties about the future could I let go of?
Many midlife men survive from one weekend or holiday to the next. How do we bring joy into our messy, demanding daily lives? How can we be more present at work, engaged with our families at home and attuned to ourselves in moments of reflection?
Surviving is not thriving. Thriving requires intentionality and discipline. Viktor Frankl, in "Man’s Search for Meaning", reminds us that purpose and meaning are critical to fulfilment. Thriving requires breaking free from societal expectations and embracing our unique selves.
Isn’t this the life worth seeking ❓
As the year ends, energy often depletes faster than it can be replenished🪫. Tolerance wanes and grace diminishes, impacting relationships at work and home. In the past I found myself withdrawing, seeking distractions that pull me away from those who matter most.
I tell myself, “All I need is a holiday.” But this cycle repeats every year.
Surely, there’s more to life than this?
Eckhart Tolle’s "The Power of Now" offers a vital insight: presence and mindfulness transform how we engage with life’s demands and joys.
The truth is, there is more.
A harmonious, joyful life is possible, but it requires openness to change. Richard Rohr, in "Falling Upward", emphasises midlife as a time of profound growth when we embrace deeper truths. Letting go of the image that has defined us in our careers and communities allows our authentic selves to emerge🪞.
This holiday season, I invite you to reflect and aim for a different ending to 2025.
If you’re ready to improve relationships at work and home and seek a fulfilling life, let’s connect for an exploratory conversation. Take the first step toward thriving.
