Life & Living

RELAX, it’s summertime!

July 18, 2017 10:54 am

YouNow is created for the everyday individual who seeks to gain a deeper understanding of Self in order to achieve their highest potential, while staying true to their essence. These write-ups are designed to help you become more conscious and deliberate in your interactions and day-to-day living

The streets of Lagos last Friday evening sported a different look.

Cars drove by freely, hawkers ran longer and faster, there was a general calmness on the otherwise ‘traffic’ ridden roads.

To what do we owe this freedom?

Summer holidays are here!

We all know that summer vacation is the longest break in the school year with holidays lasting up to 3months.

The economic recession is something we have all blamed for cramping our travel plans.

‘There’s no money anywhere’ they say. Yet, every airliner out of Nigeria is fully booked during summer. Initially not a very ‘Nigerian’ thing, summer vacations are now here to stay.

This is when those Nigerians that do “holiday” take their leave.

I assure you, many are not travelling to see Buckingham Palace or the Eifel Tower or the Statue of Liberty.

They are going shopping – and it is usually serious cash-backed shopping.

Our idea of a good holiday is when we return, to be able to deck your wife’s or girlfriend’s neck in new ‘baffs’, wear new shoes, foreign school supplies for the children and stock your living room with new electronic gadgets.

We may then take a few days off to rest from our shopping spree.

To us Nigerians, who travels for Rest?

Many of us have created excuses for not taking a vacation. A family vacation is now perceived as luxury. Either there is too much work to be completed or there isn’t enough money.

When you begin to feel mentally and physically exhausted from your everyday routine, it will become obvious to you that you do need to get away from it all.

Go on a family vacation. It does not have to be an expensive one.

We sometimes overlook the need to invest in quality time with our families. After all, we all live in the same house, don’t we?

The idea is this- Taking a family vacation will create fond memories. Children will not remain so forever. This time together enables us discover things about them we may have ordinarily overlooked. Brain development and emotional stability are a few of the advantages especially for the younger ones.

You may not have the financial ability to take luxurious vacations. However, taking a vacation locally is a great way for you and your family to get away from the usual routine. Don’t let opportunities to take a family vacation slip away. Vacations are healthy. You and your family will benefit from a well-earned break.

So whether you’re going to London to see the queen or to Ekiti to see the Warm Springs, relax, it’s summertime!

Remember Freedom is Peace, Optimism is Nature. Action is always within reach. BE MORE!

Yetunde Bankole-Bernard is The identity Coach™

Certified as an Image Consultant, Human connection and Personality type practitioner and Work place psychologist.