Month of Rest, Vacations, and Returning to Yourself

In the heart of summer, when the sun shines at its highest, the days seem endless, and the world slows its breath for a moment, a season arrives that carries something almost sacred within it.

July – a month of warmth, light, but also of silence and returning to oneself.

For many of us, it is the time when, after long months of responsibilities, stress, and constant rushing, we finally allow ourselves to stop.

Not because the world has stopped turning.

But because we realize that we do not have to chase that world.

July is like a deep breath after a long winter of the soul.

It is a time when we can once again sink into ordinary joys – the scent of freshly cut grass, the touch of sunlight on our skin, the taste of fruit that ripens only when nature is fully alive.

During this season, we are reminded that we are not machines.

We are not algorithms built for performance.

We are human beings – hearts that beat in their own rhythm, bodies that need to slow down, and minds that long for silence.

We do not need to be constantly productive, efficient, and available.

Sometimes we only need to be.

To sit.

To breathe.

To notice.

And that is not weakness.

That is wisdom.

Rest is not a luxury.

Rest is a basic human need.

Just like breathing, sleeping, and eating.

We need it in order to live fully, to create, to love, to work, and to forgive.

Without rest, we become exhausted.

Without vacation, we lose connection with ourselves.

Without relaxation, we become only shadow versions of our dreams, desires, and possibilities.

Vacation and rest are not rewards for having "functioned well" throughout the year.

They are not something we may allow ourselves only when everything else "works out."

On the contrary – they should be a consciously planned part of our yearly cycle.

Just as spring brings new beginnings, summer should bring slowing down and gathering energy.

Vacation does not save us only from burnout.

It gives us the chance to sit down with our own life again, as if with an open book.

To turn the pages.

To pause.

To understand the story.

Perhaps to change direction.

Perhaps to return to values we had long forgotten.

As I once wrote in my diary:

"A person needs a vacation not because they are weak, but because they are alive. And everything alive needs to breathe."
— Jakub Kováč

Vacation is not an escape.

It is a return.

To our roots.

To ourselves.

To those we love.

To nature, to silence, to the simplicity we lose sight of in the daily carousel of life.

And that is why July is more than just a month in the calendar.

It is a reminder that we have the right to slow down.

And that in that slowing down, we may find something essential – perhaps peace, perhaps inspiration, or perhaps only the simple feeling that we are alive.

And that, after all, is enough.
 In a culture that worships busyness as a status symbol, rest is often mistaken for laziness.

We have come to believe that the fuller our calendars are, the less time we have for lunch, and the longer we stay online, the more valuable we become. The more successful we appear. The more needed we feel.

But somewhere between coffee on the go, work messages at midnight, and mindless scrolling between meetings and presentations, we lost touch with what it truly means to be human.

Society teaches us that being busy is a badge of honor.

That answering "I'm too busy" somehow earns respect.

That anyone who allows themselves to simply sit, look out the window, or lie down in the middle of the day must be lazy, weak, or unfit for the modern world.

And so, every day, we race against our own exhaustion.

We tell ourselves that we will rest over the weekend.

Then during the holidays.

Then after retirement.

And some people never get the chance.

People who allow themselves to stop are sometimes seen as those who have "given up." As people who were never aiming for anything great.

But the truth is exactly the opposite.

Rest is an act of strength.

It is a conscious decision not to burn out.

It is the ability to say, "Enough," while there is still something left to save.

It is an expression of responsibility toward ourselves and toward those around us.

Rest is not about weakness.

It is about wisdom.

Only a wise person understands that even an engine needs a cooling system.

Even a light must occasionally be switched off so that the whole house does not go dark.

Even a fire, if it is to burn steadily, needs moments between the logs.

Psychological research clearly confirms the benefits of regular rest.

According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2019), 76% of people reported that regular rest helps them cope with stress more effectively, improves their relationships, and increases their work performance.

Other studies suggest that people who take regular breaks throughout the day have better cognitive abilities, learn faster, make fewer mistakes, and experience greater satisfaction at work.

In other words, the more we allow ourselves to switch off, the better we are able to switch back on.

Rest is not a break from performance.

Rest is the foundation of performance.

What is particularly interesting is that many of the world's most successful people—entrepreneurs, creatives, scientists, and leaders—openly speak about how carefully they protect their time for rest.

They schedule quiet hours during which they do not communicate with anyone.

They take long walks without their phones.

They plan regular vacations.

They understand that mental health is not something to sacrifice on the altar of career success.

As the philosopher Alain de Botton once said:

"One of the greatest luxuries of modern life is not having more money, but having more free time and knowing how to enjoy it consciously."

Rest also reconnects us emotionally with the world around us.

When we live in a constant state of stress and performance, we gradually become emotionally numb.

Relationships turn into transactions.

Joy quietly disappears.

Our identity shrinks into nothing more than a function.

But when we allow ourselves to become still and rediscover who we are, we return to life fully—with empathy, perspective, understanding, and above all, with the strength to create instead of merely survive.

It is time to change the narrative.

Working twelve hours a day is not an act of heroism.

Knowing when enough is enough—that is.

The true art is not exhausting yourself.

The true art is replenishing yourself.

And perhaps the greatest act of courage today is allowing ourselves to rest—with a clear conscience, without guilt, and without feeling the need to apologize for it.

In a culture obsessed with constant performance, rest will always seem like a radical act.

And that is precisely why it is so necessary.

It is not only about being tired.

It is not merely about exhausted muscles, feeling sleepy after a long week, or being worn out after completing countless tasks.

It goes much deeper than that.

A vacation gives us the opportunity to rediscover ourselves—but this time without all the masks, roles, and expectations.

In everyday life, we play countless parts.

We are employees, managers, entrepreneurs, parents, partners, students, and friends.

Every day we switch between identities to meet the expectations of others.

But what about ourselves?

While on vacation, something almost miraculous can happen.

Suddenly, we are no longer responsible to everyone else.

We are responsible only to ourselves.

We no longer have to prove anything, explain ourselves, or constantly be available.

We can simply become the purest version of ourselves—the person we truly are when nothing is expected of us.

When we can feel the wind in our hair and simply gaze toward the horizon.

When we suddenly notice that even the air feels different because we are no longer rushing.

A vacation is a return to our senses.

To flavors, scents, textures, and colors that become blurred in the speed of everyday life.

It is a return to the present moment—the very place we so often forget.

And the present moment (I recommend reading the article The Power of the Present Moment on the Remíza blog) is the very foundation of happiness.

Not the past.

Not the future.

Only here.

Only now.

And a vacation—conscious rest—has the remarkable ability to bring us back to it.

It does not matter whether you travel to a beach in Italy, spend time in a quiet lakeside cabin, or simply stay at home wearing your pajamas with a good book in your hands and your phone switched off.

The destination is not what matters.

The state of being is.

The ability to disconnect.

To give yourself permission simply to exist.

Without guilt.

Without that inner voice whispering that you should be doing something more productive.

Rest is productive.

It is one of the most valuable things we can ever do for ourselves.

And allow me to share something personal—something I no longer see as a private embarrassment but as a life experience I feel compelled to share.

A few years ago, I burned out.

Not "a little tired."

Not merely "overworked."

Completely.

I lost track of the days.

I couldn't sleep at night, and during the day I would simply sit there, unable to decide what to eat.

At work, only my body remained.

My spirit had long since disappeared.

I couldn't enjoy music anymore.

I couldn't read a book.

Even a phone call from someone I loved made me feel overwhelmed.

Everything seemed unbearably heavy.

Meaningless.

It felt as though I were trapped beneath the surface of the water, watching life continue above me without being able to reach it.

Until then, I believed that rest was something I had to earn.

That I first had to finish everything, satisfy everyone, and only then would I deserve to step away.

The truth was very different.

I did not leave the stage.

I collapsed from it—exhausted and broken.

And no one applauded.

Only my own body finally said, "Enough."

Quietly.

But without compromise.

Since then, I have looked at rest differently.

I no longer see it as a bonus.

I see it as a condition for survival.

As part of basic hygiene—like taking a shower to remain clean, present, capable of feeling, and truly alive.

Today, rest is a non-negotiable part of my life, regardless of what my employer thinks, what my bank account looks like, or what my own ego tries to convince me of.

I am no longer afraid to say no.

I am no longer ashamed to turn off notifications, disappear into nature for a day, or cancel a meeting when I know I have reached my limit.

I no longer allow the fear of losing my job to become more important than my health.

I choose to rest even when it seems like "the wrong time," because I have learned that the right time never arrives by itself.

We have to create it.

And above all—we have to allow ourselves to deserve it.

I know that many people are afraid to rest.

They fear missing opportunities.

They fear being judged.

They fear someone else will move ahead of them.

But I want to tell you one thing:

"No one will ever get ahead of us in our own life if we allow ourselves to live it fully. And without rest, that is simply impossible."
— Jakub Kováč

Rest is not a break from life.

Rest is part of life.

And a vacation—no matter how simple or modest—is like oxygen.

Without it, we may continue breathing for a while.

But we will never truly breathe deeply.

Our bodies are incredibly wise.

They do not need an app to know that something is wrong.

They do not need analytics to realize we are pushing far beyond our limits.

They send us signals.

At first, they are gentle.

Later, they become stronger.

And when we continue to ignore them, they begin to scream.

Not with words.

They scream through pain, exhaustion, angry outbursts, sleepless nights, loss of appetite, tense muscles, weakened immunity, anxiety, and emotional emptiness.

They scream through silence.

A silence that slowly steals our joy, our peace, and sometimes even our ability to think clearly.

Chronic fatigue, headaches, sleep disorders, irritability, mood swings, feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, and the loss of motivation are not "small problems."

They are cries for help from our bodies saying:

"I need a break."

Yet modern life has taught us to suppress this instinct.

We have learned to endure.

To push through.

To grit our teeth.

To keep going.

Until we finally break.

Many people do not take a vacation until they are physically incapable of continuing.

Not because they choose to stop—but because their bodies make the decision for them.

They are forced into rest by collapse, hospitalization, divorce, losing their job, or an ultimatum from the people they love.

And that is tragic.

Because at that point, a vacation is no longer prevention.

It becomes firefighting.

Treating burns instead of preventing the fire.

Yet all it would take is learning to listen.

To give ourselves permission to hear our own body and mind before it is too late.

To stop seeing rest as weakness and start seeing it as maintenance.

Just as a car needs regular servicing, our minds and bodies also need moments of stillness.

We need to check the pressure.

Change the oil.

Clean the filters.

Otherwise, we eventually fall apart on a road that was supposed to be beautiful but slowly turns into suffering.

It is time to stop feeling ashamed for wanting to rest.

If anything, we should feel ashamed for refusing ourselves that right.

For working ourselves into illness rather than saying,

"I need a pause."

For risking our health, our relationships, and our peace of mind simply because we do not want others to think less of us.

And if you feel that something inside you is changing but you cannot quite put it into words...

If you sense that something is wrong but do not know how to explain it...

I would like to recommend another article I wrote from personal experience:

"When the Soul Cries Quietly" – on the Remíza blog.

In that article, I describe those moments when nothing dramatic seems to be happening on the outside, while inside we are quietly falling apart.

A silent inner collapse that no X-ray can detect, yet one that hurts more than many physical wounds.

That is exactly why I recommend reading it.

Perhaps it will help someone finally name what they have been experiencing.

Perhaps it will help someone realize they are not alone.

Or perhaps it will become the first step toward an important decision—to slow down,

to rest,

to allow themselves to breathe without guilt.

"Not every cry can be heard. The most important ones often happen in silence."

Let us learn to listen to our own silence.

Because that is where true self-care begins.
 One vacation a year is not enough.

Just as it is not enough to drink water only once a day, it is not enough to rest only once every summer.

Our bodies and minds need regular contact with peace.

Not occasionally.

Not exceptionally.

Not only after everything on our to-do list has been completed.

We need rest as much as we need our daily bread.

A daily exhale.

A daily return to ourselves, even if only for a few moments.

Many people still believe that relaxation is a luxury—something reserved for the wealthy, the unemployed, or people who "have no real problems."

But the truth is exactly the opposite.

Those who live under constant pressure are the ones who need to fight the hardest for moments of rest.

Not because they have earned them.

But because they need them.

Relaxation does not have to be something extraordinary.

It does not require a weekend in the mountains, a visit to a luxury spa, or an expensive wellness retreat.

True relaxation is hidden in the small things we often overlook because they are right in front of us.

Sometimes all it takes is thirty minutes of silence.

Waking up a little earlier and sitting alone with a warm cup of tea—without a phone in your hand.

Taking a walk among the trees with no destination.

Listening to music that once healed your soul but that you have not had time to play for months.

Meditating—even if it simply means sitting quietly in a chair and paying attention to your breathing.

Enjoying a slow lunch without the television.

Listening to your own body.

Asking yourself,

"How am I really feeling?"

...and patiently waiting for the answer.

These moments are like miniature vacations.

Tiny oases in the desert of our hectic days.

We often underestimate them because they do not look like anything extraordinary.

Yet these small spaces of peace make the difference between merely surviving and truly living.

It is not only about resting.

It is about living consciously.

Sitting quietly and listening to the rain.

Walking to work while noticing the sky, the trees, and the people around us.

Choosing silence for a moment instead of constant conversation.

These simple acts ground us.

They restore our nervous system.

They help us return to our bodies after the world has pulled us into endless thoughts, plans, calendars, deadlines, and tension.

If you believe you do not have time for this...

That is exactly when you need it the most.

If you think that nothing bad will happen if you skip your rest...

The truth is that everything slowly begins to happen.

Quietly.

Gradually.

But inevitably.

Your body wears down.

Your soul dries out.

Your thinking becomes slower.

Conflicts become more frequent.

Your ability to concentrate fades.

And one day you realize that you are exhausted even after sleeping.

Irritable for no obvious reason.

Sad without understanding why.

That is not simply a bad mood.

It is the result of living too long without any real connection to yourself.

That is why we must not wait until we burn out.

We cannot keep telling ourselves,

"Just one more month."

"Just one more week."

"Just one more project."

Rest should never become a reward given only after we have exhausted ourselves.

Rest should be part of the process itself.

Part of the system.

Let us not allow the only moment we truly reconnect with ourselves to come in the silence of a cemetery—

when there is no longer anyone left inside us to listen to.

Let us rest consistently.

Regularly.

Simply.

Let us set aside ten, twenty, or thirty minutes every day to return to the present moment.

If we do so consciously, we may save ourselves years of unnecessary suffering—

from health problems,

to emotional breakdowns,

to damaged relationships.

"Relaxation is not an escape from reality. It is a return to reality without the mask of performance."

And that is something we can give ourselves every single day—

if we choose to.

If we allow ourselves.

If we decide that rest is not the enemy of productivity,

but its greatest ally.

When talking about vacations, there is one more important topic that deserves attention—money.

It often happens that people treat themselves to vacations they simply cannot afford.

They take out loans.

They max out their credit cards.

All because they do not want to fall behind everyone else.

They long to experience something beautiful and unforgettable—and that is completely understandable.

But it should always remain in harmony with reality.

A vacation financed by debt is not true rest.

It is merely postponed stress.

When you return from the warmth of the Greek islands to the cold reality of monthly repayments, everything you tried to escape may suddenly come back even stronger.

Financial experts recommend planning vacations well in advance.

Ideally, create a dedicated vacation fund into which you regularly set money aside.

It does not have to be a large amount.

What matters is that it is intentional.

And that it matches your financial situation.

There is no shame in not being able to afford the Maldives.

The real mistake is pretending that you can, while burying yourself in debt simply to impress other people.

True rest is not determined by the destination.

It is determined by the peace you feel.

You can experience that peace in the mountains, beside a quiet river, in a library, or even in your own garden.

A budget is not a prison.

It is a compass.

It keeps us from taking roads that eventually lead into mud.

It also allows us to build a financial reserve for unexpected situations.

Illness.

Lost luggage.

Unexpected expenses.

These things happen.

And people who have prepared for them do not panic.

How to plan a vacation wisely

1. Start planning early.

Even if you have not chosen your destination yet, begin building your vacation fund in January.

Saving €100–150 each month can make an enormous difference.

2. Consider every expense.

A vacation is not only about accommodation.

It also includes food, transportation, travel insurance, excursions, souvenirs, and unexpected costs.

Always leave room in your budget for surprises.

3. Do not compare yourself with others.

Just because your colleague is spending their vacation in New York does not mean you should do the same.

Everyone has different priorities, responsibilities, and financial circumstances.

4. Consider slow travel.

Travel slowly.

Travel affordably.

Travel deeply.

Instead of trying to visit five destinations in one week, choose one place and truly get to know it.

5. Think about your return home.

Do not come back the night before work starts again.

Give yourself at least one day at home to unpack, recover, and ease back into everyday life.

What does a vacation really give us?

Time with family.

Many relationships quietly suffer because work consumes our attention.

A vacation creates space to reconnect.

Creativity.

When we switch off our working minds, our creative minds finally wake up.

Health.

Less stress.

More movement.

Better sleep.

Perspective.

Stepping away from everyday routines allows us to see life more clearly.

Memories.

The moments we cherish most rarely come from work.

They are almost always born during times of rest.

Never forget—rest is part of the journey, not a reward at the end of it.

We live in a time when stress has become normal.

When people collapse—and still keep going.

When vacations are postponed until it is too late.

This article is an invitation to change that.

An invitation to return to peace.

To enjoy a vacation without guilt.

To experience a summer that belongs to you—

not to Instagram,

not to other people's expectations,

but to you.

Even if all you do is spend half an hour each day sitting on a park bench listening to the wind,

you will have done more for yourself than you probably realize.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog article.

I sincerely hope it has offered you inspiration, peace, and perhaps a gentle reminder that you are allowed to rest without feeling guilty.

Summer is short.

Let us not allow it to pass without feeling the warmth of the sun,

without laughter,

without giving ourselves permission to stop pushing life forward—even if only for a little while.

I look forward to meeting you again in August, when we will explore a new topic together—how to plan your future, your dreams, your goals, and how to become the author of your own story once again.

— JK -