The bliss of doing nothing

A planned staycation grants Diana peaceful days enjoying her Greenfields garden, as well as exploring new and favourite destinations close to home

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Locking the door to the studio comes with a sense of finality today, and if I'm being completely honest, a bone-deep weariness too. Even though my days as a burnt-out COO feel like a distant memory from someone else's life, I still, on occasion, fall back into bad habits of over-committing to clients, tipping the work-life balance scale out of my control until said work is finally delivered. Which is why this break, the ultimate at-home staycation, is all I've dreamt about over the last month. The anticipation of what the next 10 days will bring is dancing around like butterflies in my belly.

From past experience of what not to do - namely, fill all my time off with DIY or daily chores - entering into staycation mode has become somewhat of an art form I revel in. It begins with a change of bedlinen to the ‘good’ stuff in an attempt to rival the softest cottons of a luxury hotel. There is nothing like clean bedding, your best PJs and a tidy bedroom on your first evening off the clock - and even better than that, your own bed. Don't get me wrong, the decadence of travelling to a bijou country retreat or far-flung beach resort will always hold great appeal, but I challenge you to find anything as luxurious as your own bed and the cold side of your favourite pillow.