Creating a Life You Don’t Need a Holiday From: Where to Start?

Picture this: waking up every day and actually looking forward to it. No Monday blues, no desperate countdowns to the next holiday, no yearning to escape the grind. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, here at The Urban Croft, we’re all about turning that dream into reality. You can absolutely create a life that’s balanced, fulfilling, and joyful – a life you don’t need a holiday from.

Where do you start? Right here. Getting your head around the fact that this could (maybe even should) be a possibility you consider for your own health and sanity.

Now - what I am NOT saying is that you never take a holiday again in your life, but the truth is, the modern hustle culture leaves many of us burnt out and craving escape. What if your daily life didn’t feel like something you needed to run from? What if you built balance in from the very beginning so you could live full of purpose and energy and didn't NEED two weeks out of the office just to regain your sanity from the crazy pace of life? What if instead you build a life that has:

• Joy in the Everyday: Finding contentment in simple routines and activities.
• Balance: Creating space for rest, work, play, and connection.
• Sustainability: Designing a lifestyle that nurtures your body, mind, and spirit.
• Freedom: Living on your terms, not society’s.

It’s not about luxury or perfection. It’s about feeling good about your days and making them work for you.

Step 1: Declutter Your Life – Physically and Mentally

A clutter-free life is a stress-free life. Less stuff means less cleaning and if you have ever had to clear a home after losing someone close you will know the overwhelming nightmare of leaving a house full of things you have no connection to for someone else to sift through. So lets's start by tackling your physical space and engaging in some bin-bag therapy. After all you have to create space forth new to come into your life - right?:

• Simplify your surroundings: Donate or sell items that don’t serve you. Keep only what you love and use.

• Organise your home: Create systems that make daily life easier, from labelled pantry jars to a dedicated mail station.

And don’t forget mental clutter:

• Identify energy drains: Are there commitments, habits, or people weighing you down? Set boundaries where needed. (I know, I know - but once you can practice and do this life gets so much better I can promise you)

• Practice mindfulness: Journaling, meditation, or a simple walk can help clear your head. It is not selfish to want some "alone time" in fact as you relax into the flow of deep thinking again you will uncover ideas and creativity that have been set aside for years.

Lighten the load and create space for what truly matters.

Step 2: Build Joyful Routines

Life isn’t about big, grand moments; it’s about how you spend your days. Routines give structure while leaving room for spontaneity. Start small and instead of throwing out all your old routines all at once just add a new supportive one instead. Soon you will crowd out that which does not support you and be left with what does:

• Morning rituals: Swap the chaotic coffee-and-run for a calm 10 minutes of journaling or stretching.

• Daily pauses: Schedule short breaks to breathe, enjoy a cup of tea, or step outside - without that darned phone!

• Evening wind-downs: End your day with gratitude journaling, reading, or a relaxing bath. My favourite is to sit on the step in evening light and listen to the sounds of my garden.

Your routine should feel like a warm hug, not a rigid to-do list. Precious moments of joy throughout the day where you get to do what refreshes you and fills you up with well-being. Time to do a singular thing - where you can stop and let the world go on spinning without you for a few moments.

Step 3: Connect and Celebrate

Humans are social creatures, and connection brings meaning to our lives. Modern life serves to isolate us, keep us locked in our offices, tucked away in our homes .. but women with an active engaged community live longer and live better! Community however is something you build and nurture and engage with. Strengthen your bonds by:

• Spending time with loved ones: Share meals, play games, or just chat. Lay that table and invite them to join you for dinner instead of shoveling food up in front of the telly.

• Joining local groups: Community gardens, crafting circles, or volunteering are great ways to meet like-minded people. My favourites are the "Free Stuff", "Seed Swap" and local gardening groups - between us we can source, share and fix just about anything!

• Celebrating milestones: No matter how small, mark achievements with a toast, a treat, or a handwritten note to yourself. - or even someone else! Imagine the joy of finding a beautiful card as a thank you on your doormat instead of another circular or mailshot to buy funeral plans or expensive credit cards!

The more you invest in relationships and gratitude, the richer your life becomes. The wider and more engaged in your community you are the more future proof you become. Commit now to reaching our and connecting with someone today!

• Set Goals: Perfection is a myth, so don’t aim for it. Instead, focus on small, consistent steps toward your dream life. One of the biggest sources of happiness chemicals for your brain is when you complete a job and look at it with a sense of satisfaction. Game the system by having lots of small goals to achieve instead of huge ones. NOTE- this can get addictive very quickly!

• Prioritise What Matters: You can’t do everything, so choose the things that align with your values. Time is finite so stop going with the flow and examine all that you do. Does it support you - or does it drag you down? Time to start releasing those things we can’t stand doing any more.

• Be Flexible: Life changes, and so should your approach. Allow room for growth and adjustment. Urban Crofting is about being resilient and flexible. A rainy day doesn't mean disappointment, it means a day where you choose to enjoy an extra pot of tea and an inside job. A run of fair weather means you hit your garden hard ... and does it really matter that dinner is simple and quick when you are building food security for the future? Longer summer days mean dirt under your fingernails - short winter ones means cats on your lap and knitting in your hands.

And remember: it’s a journey, a walk through the year and a walk through your own life. Every step you take toward creating your ideal life is worth celebrating.

Here’s the thing: creating a life you love isn’t about spending loads of money or quitting your job tomorrow. It’s about making intentional choices that align with your needs and values. At The Urban Croft, we’re all about:

• Frugality: Find joy in resourcefulness and living within your means.

• Community: Share, barter, and grow together.

• Simplicity: Embrace what works for you and let go of the rest.

For every new thing I add to my croft - I let go of something else! My garden plot means less time in front of the telly. Home-cooked meals mean less takeaways. Preserving my own food mean less shopping trips and working from home means less money spent on a working wardrobe to impress absolutely no-one.

It’s time to take the first step toward a life you don’t need a holiday from. Go grab one of those notebooks that I just know you have been hoarding and for the next week, jot down what you could add to your life to make it all the sweeter.

What’s stopping you? Your dream life is just a decision away. It feels very big - but its actually very small!