2020 has been one hell of a long year for most of us. Between the homeschooling, domestics away for extended periods during lockdown, working from home (at some unimagineable hours, just because you can!)…most of the people I know are not only experiencing the usual tiredness that this time of year brings, but even more so this year. As we approach the festive period with a virus that is definitely not going anywhere anytime soon – meaning for most of us that our usual social plans will perhaps be curbed – I’m curious to know whether you’re taking leave?
At the zebra, we have an annual 10day leave policy meaning that it is compulsory to take a minimum of 10days consecutive days leave (including public holidays but excluding weekends) every year. I usually take mine over December. This year, I must admit, I was reluctant. We are going down to Durban for Christmas and New Year and where in previous years, I’d have to carefully plan my leave around my workload and that of my teams in case I was part of the skeleton staff over the festive period, this year is a bit different as working from home means we can work from anywhere at any time right?! Having said that, I do feel that there’s great value in literally switching off your PC and doing nothing, even if it means watching series at home, spending time with your family or going for a drive and ice-cream because not only is it necessary to “refuel” after a long year, but I think 2020 has taught us that it’s all about the little things…the quality time spent together, and not about the extravagant things.
As I finish off the year with the boys’ birthday parties (another post for another day), teachers gifts, travel plans and Christmas gifts, I must admit that I am really looking forward to switching off and unwinding. I can’t wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus with my family and I have definitely been spending time reflecting on how blessed we have been this year. Amongst the chaos – a year in a virus with so many unknowns, loved ones lost and jobs lost, I have constantly been reminded over the last few months of the blessings our family have had this year.
So as you hopefully wind down!, I hope that you’re also able to reflect on your blessings. And I hope that you’re going to be kind to yourself. That you’ll take that well deserved break. That you’ll reconnect with loved ones, some who you probably haven’t seen in ages. That you’ll be able to look past petty arguments that have caused rifts in your relationships. That even if you’re just alone at home, that you’ll be able to look at the blessings in your life. And most importantly, that you are able to focus on Jesus, the reason for the season.
HOWE do you do?! 
Because I’ve been employed at the same company for soooo many years, I usually get 20 days leave a year. Both DH and I are directly involved with the running of the factory so we really only take leave during December, when the factory closes. We don’t usually go away during December, we usually go away over the Easter weekend (already cancelled this year). We are not planning on going anywhere and I’m even wondering if we should have the family over for Xmas dinner. Not a big bash, there is usually only 6 of us anyway, my folks and brother and DH’s mum.
I’m still at home and have already been asked to work during shutdown. Yes, there is something to be said about working from home and being able to do things at what ever times suits you, may day usually starts at 3.30am. Sounds hectic but there are lots of breaks in the middle to clean house, run errands, school, etc. Definately weird
Oops, apologies for mini blog
Can you plz do a full blog!!
Even though I was retrenched, and not working completely crazy this year, it has been tiring. All the homeschooling, housework and my actual work was rough. Emotionally, I need a break. School closed last week and I have been cleaning. I have been digging into forgotten shelves, 9 years of artwork, clothes, everything. And I have been packing boxes to be donated. I have a list of stuff around the house that I want to do. This is the first year in 9 years that I am having December break at home. I finally have time to get to those niggly tasks of sewing new slipcovers, organising toys, building puzzles. We are even playing board games and cycling regularly. The Christmas tree and decorations are going up, because we will actually be home. I am loving it. I am definitely on break.
I want to start playing games more regularly with the boys but being in a complex, they’re always busy with the other kids!! Glad you’re taking a break.
Lovely post, Jodie! I put in leave for 3 weeks although we’ll be at home. Being in finance, I will still have some duties to perform wrt payroll and payments, but I’m looking forward to the chill time and spending more time with the kids. The year has been hectic having to work from home all whilst having the kids home most of the time, even working through lockdown, so I feel exhausted… May there be many lazy mornings on the horizon for us
Debs, how do you control the game time with Jamie… Does he play TV games/online games?
Hey Jodie. To be absolutely super honest with you, I get the Bad Mom of the Year Award for controlling game time. Mainly because of lockdown, and working from home, also isolating for 2 weeks end November/beginning December. Right now Jamie loves his games – he plays some online games on his computer. His dad got him a computer beginning this year and it has been his saving grace with barely any sport or extra murals… So he has more gaming time currently than what I feel comfortable with. Hopefully when I go on leave I will have more time to keep the kids busy and doing things with them so that he won’t worry so much about his games. I pray so hard right now that the president won’t close our beaches, because that’s what we normally do over Decembers.
You can be excused this year 🤪 No I hear you… But we had to do what we had to do to survive. If I left these kids to their own devices, they would play games on their tablets alllll day!! Also hoping the beaches aren’t gonna close cos we’re going down to my folks in Durban.