Summer check in

Wow, it's been longer than I realized since my last post back in June. I have certainly had a busy summer. Lu has been to 9 weeks of interesting, enriching camps. We took a trip to NH and ME to visit family and friends. We've all been enjoying the frenzied pace of summer and all of its activities.

Work has been busy, with a successful launch of my latest project today. And I've been working on my personal growth, specifically on my intention early this year to relinquish control over more and to go with the flow. To surrender.

With over half of the year behind me, I'm reflecting on what has changed by fully embracing my new attitude. It's nearly universally positive. I'm still putting in every effort at work. I am being the best mom and wife that I can. I am slower to anger and arguing less. I am still busy, but somehow I am learning to stress less over little details and embrace the moment.

I'm off to Jamaica early tomorrow morning for a relaxing beach vacation with my husband. Unknowingly, he booked the same property we had stayed at 15 years ago on our first trip. The resort has a new name, but I'm sure it will feel like returning to a familiar friend's house after a long hiatus. I can't wait! Now to pack ...

You can turn it off?

I'm a big advocate of going on vacation. I'm fortunate to work for a company with a generous vacation policy and I never leave any on the table. Going on vacation, especially to a new place, inspires me, gives me much-needed time to reconnect with family and friends, and leaves me feeling enegerized and excited about coming back to work.

Ft. Myers Beach, my most recent vacation

However, I find it critical to really unplug during my short time away from the office. My key colleagues have my mobile phone number, so they can always reach me in an emergency. I'd rather just sort through my inbox upon my return than sift through a bunch of work-related mails while on the beach. It just stresses me out to know every detail of what's going on, and I'd rather be present at my vacation location: maybe people watch or become engrossed in my latest beach read.

I've written previously about how to turn off the annoying badge app icons on your iPhone. Today's tip is how you can completely turn off your work email and calendar so that you don't get pop-up notifications for meetings that are happening during your absence.

First, go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars. 

Click on your account (e.g., if you have Microsoft, it's Exchange).

Slide the green bar to the left to temporarily deactivate your mail, calendar, or reminders.

Then, just reverse the process on your first day back in the office.

I hope this allows you to enjoy your vacation time off to its fullest extent!