Ahh the thought… the sand between your toes, the fresh breeze in your face and the salty smell of the ocean. It rings the word HOLIDAY to me!

With the year coming to an end, most businesses have tight deadlines to meet before the end of the year. I don’t know about you, but I am one of those people that take my work with me when I go home. My mind never seems to shut off, it is always in work mode. I sometimes catch myself even dreaming about the next day’s tasks and what needs to be done. At the end of the week, I feel my shoulders all tensed up and I feel stressed, even though the week might not have been so stressful.

It’s time to take the heels off and put the slip-slops on. What I am trying to say is this year has been tough, and slip-slops are something you would wear to an informal event oroccasion such as the beach, or when gardening or perhaps when you are at the Boeremark on a Saturday. It is important to take your mind off work when you are not at work. What works for me to relax when I get home, is simply taking off my work shoes and putting on comfortable shoes, such as slip-slops, I really am of the belief that you can wear those babies anywhere, except to church of course or to work... Although I see some people do these days.

Since I was born to be an over-thinker, I have really prioritised me-time lately. I know it sounds silly, but sometimes I feel one needs to escape from the busy hustle and just focus on yourself, and do things that will be beneficial to yourself, such as pampering yourself by doing your hair or nails, perhaps evening reading - that novel you have always wanted to read for the past three months now. Some people are such workaholics, that they don’t even know that they need a break until it is too late!

With last week being such a hectic week with the robbery and all the documents that needed to be sorted out, a well-deserved weekend was definitely on the cards! I thought to myself that I needed to take my mind off of what had happened and off work and just relax, recuperate and forgive and forget. Believe me, it can sometimes be one of the most difficult tasks to do - to take your mind off work and adult-life and just do what you enjoy. It’s almost like you need to mentally council yourself to just breathe and not worry.

Many of us struggle to balance work life and social life. According to an article I read by Life Hacks, bringing work home means that other family members have to endure the stress and tensions that arise from work, and it can even increase the risk of depression.

A couple of great things to do that I have discovered in my three and a half months in Bloemfontein:

The Boeremark on a Saturday is always a winner. The food is delicious, the pancakes are amazingly fresh, and, not to mention, they sell almost everything and anything!

Naval Hill, the only nature reserve in the world situated in the centre of a city, from where you have a bird’s view of town. There are also wild life to see, for free!

Weltevreden Lodge, where the rugby player got bitten by a lion. It’s a beautiful place to go away for a weekend, game drives and you get to see lions – just don’t touch them of course.

Botanical gardens - nice place for a picnic.

If you are the party type, Mystic Boer has live music and cheap drinks until 4am in the morning. However, I do not think I have ever partied so late in my life.

I must say, Seven on Kellner has the best pizzas, a bit pricey but if you are a fan of wood-fired pizza’s it’s the place to go to.

My news manager took me to the Oliewenhuis Art Museum. You can either check out the beautiful art, or explore the walking trails around the museum. If you are hungry - like I always am - there is a cool restaurant to try out.

This weekend I want to go to the Mangaung Rose Festival. So, if you struggle to take your mind off of work, take a break and do something fun and stress-free on a weekend!

-Josca Human