I'm writing this post on Easter Monday -- Ostermontag -- an offical holiday in Switzerland. My terrace doors stand open to the cool, sunny Spring breeze. I've been away from working since last Wednesday. Just took a one-hour mid-morning nap on my sofa because I felt like it. The relaxed feeling in my bones tells me to be grateful.
Through the last three weeks of March, I often wrote in my journal that I could sense the deep fatigue of burn-out creeping into my spirit. I needed some space to rest and time to recharge . I fully enjoy my business, my clients, the way of working. But good old Task Mistress jill can still take over.
So in the quietness that sets in here just before holidays, I spent last Monday mostly on administrative work: catching-up e-mail, details, little stuff from so many meetings. And Tuesday a half-day on the creative market planning side of my business (something I need to do more of...I used to always allow 1/2 day a week for this and will try to reinstate that habit now; I've grown to believe there's a dangerous mentality one can develop in professional services -- that every minute should be billable. Seeing only the numbers can crush the spirit and inspiration. Needs a bigger picture view, I think).
Tuesday night, I chaired "New Executive Committee Meeting Part 2" for the Professional Womens Group of Zurich. We split the meeting into two days to accommodate people's holiday schedules. Between the two discussions, it became clear to me that our first task is to clarify our identity and purpose. Our members bring extremely diverse perspectives and experiences -- which is the treasure and also the challenge of creating a common view.
And then I left (let's say, nearly ran) for the mountains. 
Phone turned off. A day in a spa. A day of walking.
Four days of luxurious feeling being home with no plan. Gardening a little. Time with friends. Drinking a Cola Light watching people at the Bellvue tram station. Blog Expert Helen and I sharing music, Thai take-out and books to read. Warm Easter celebration with an added surprise that Dorothee & Farouk married after already a 13-year relationship. Just what I needed. The reminder of love. The smiles of friends. And time to let my own creative spirit wander.
What I say most to that is "thank you!" I have finally learned something about accepting & managing my personality. I have changed what I do when I sense burn-out ...which feels like it brings out a better part of who I am. Not perfect. I still had a restless night or two feeling stress and discouragement over certain things I cannot change. But overall more living and the good moments that come with it.
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