I’ve had a bit on my plate of late. I’m not really ready to detail all of it publicly, but needless to say I’ve got a few healthy serves of stress on my plate. I’m trying to chew through them as best I can.

However it’s become quite clear that I’m not coping as well as I’d like to. The fuse on my temper is way too short, and I have transformed into a screaming banshee at the drop of a hat more than once in the past week. It’s not pretty.

Yesterday after a run, brunch and some errands, I managed to snare the best spot in one of my favourite Sydney pubs. A sheltered, sunny corner on a clear but cool and blustery Sydney day. And with a jug of Ciderlicious – a mix of cider, berries, pear schapps, ice and fresh mint, sitting in front of me, I did something I rarely do. In fact I’m quite bad at doing.

I called a time out.

I aplogised to my friend, but explained that I needed to go home, have bath and a nap. And that’s what I did.

Whilst it hasn’t solved all of the challenges I have in front of me at the moment, taking some time out was dearly needed. Some time to relax and recover. To suspend the burden on my shoulders. And I felt a helluvalot better for it.

Do you call time out? How do you take a break from what’s on your mind?