March - A first
March was a good month. This was mainly due to the fact that I was on holiday. And not just any holiday. I went skiing. For the first time ever.
March was a good month. This was mainly due to the fact that I was on holiday. And not just any holiday. I went skiing. For the first time ever.
People either grow up going on skiing holidays with their families, learning to master the slopes at age 3, 4 or 5 - or they don’t. The latter was true for me. That’s why I was a bit nervous when we booked the holiday. Harry has been skiing almost every year since he was 5, loves it to bits and was so excited to share this love with me. This made me all the more nervous, worried I might not like it. But after I had all my equipment sorted and the days to take off were approaching, I started to share his excitement. There were ten of us flying to France together. We moved into a large chalet with a view, pool, sauna and, above all, a private chef - what a luxury. That alone makes this holiday worthwhile.
I spent the mornings at the ski school with three friends. It’s so good to feel like a child again. Doing something for the first time. Learning something new. Even if it’s not necessarily easy. After a few falls and some tears only helt back by my goggles, I felt much more confident on the fourth day and started to really enjoy skiing.
On day 5 I had the aha moment. I get it now. That feeling between runs when you’re sitting on the ski lift, the snow blocking out all the noise. Then you’re skiing down the piste with your friends, listening to music in the distance and suddenly discovering a bar. The sun is shining. The snow is brilliant white against the deep blue sky. The DJ is playing good music. You take off your skis, sit down on the deckchair, Chocolat Chaud. This is the life.
Ending the holiday was so hard. Saying goodbye to everyone. Knowing the real world is waiting. The promise to do it again next year. Another hug.
And yet - so lovely. Coming back home. Getting back into routines. Giving me peace and quiet. Going to the market, cooking, the yoga class I love. It’s so nice at home.
That’s why holidays are so important. A break from normality to enjoy normal life again.