Style - June 14, 2017

Why I Took a Personal Day with Marks & Spencer

marks and spencer red bikini with parrot print sarong wrap on sailboat outfit

As I’ve mentioned recently on my site, the last couple weeks have been…off. I haven’t been feeling like myself, am incredibly burnt out, not exactly motivated, overwhelmed, you name it. I’ve been in a funk. And of course I’ve experienced a funk before, but this one has lasted weeks – which is definitely longer than usual. I’ve tried working through it, working out, reading, sleeping more, etc., and nothing was really working or pushing me out of it.

marks and spencer red bikini with parrot print sarong wrap on sailboat outfit
marks and spencer red bikini with parrot print sarong wrap on sailboat outfit
marks and spencer red bikini with parrot print sarong wrap on sailboat outfit

During this time, my roommate Dani asked if I wanted to head over to Lake Lewisville here in Dallas. I’m not usually one to blow off work on a weekday, so my first answer was “no thanks.” I had deadlines, needed to finish a project, organize my calendar, and the list went on. Spending a day on the lake or having free time would have to wait, I told Dani.

She, being the positive, caring person that she is – who had also witnessed me struggling lately – basically forced me to turn that “no” into a “yes.” She said an adventure was just what I needed, I needed to get out of my own head, a day on the water would help, etc. And somewhere between her list of reasons why I should do this, I changed my mind. I did need this. I did deserve this. The work could wait – especially since I was basically starting at my computer screen with zero inspiration or motivation anyways.

And in all honestly, I had a package of really cute new summer swim stuff that was another source of motivation. Clothes always motivate me, is that weird? The package was from Marks & Spencer and was full of outfits for a day near water, so it kinda felt like fate (not being dramatic). Spending a day on the lake with my friends, taking work off, and wearing beachy outfits that were already put together for me felt right.

marks and spencer red bikini with parrot print sarong wrap on sailboat outfit
marks and spencer red bikini with parrot print sarong wrap on sailboat outfit

I think a lot of my burnout was surrounding work and forcing work lately. Or more specifically, grinding, as I feel like I have to do 24/7 to keep things afloat around here. So instead of focusing on working hard to try and force myself out of the funk, I decided (OK Dani did, mostly) that I was gonna take these adorable summer clothes and give myself an excuse for a day off in them. A personal day. No responsibilities (other than photographing the cute clothes which isn’t hard when you’re on a lake), just pure pleasure.

M&S black bikini with rose gold trim and black knot front kaftan coverup
M&S black bikini with rose gold trim and black knot front kaftan coverup

Though we were planning on just lounging by the water, we pulled up and saw a sign for sailboat rentals. Like, the cutest little sailboats ever. Now, usually I’d try to justify why that wouldn’t be a good idea (money, we don’t know how to sail, we’ll look silly, etc.). But I knew I needed a happy day – something to feel brave about, something that let me focus on that moment and what sounded fun vs. what I should be doing. And you know what sounded fun? Being on the freakin’ sailboat.

So we rented it. True story, y’all. (well we had to get a driver too since I have zero idea how to sail…but he was fun!) Not only did we laugh our butts off, but it was exactly what I needed during my funk. A moment to fully let go, embrace the day, not worry about my to-do list or all the “shoulds” at home. I was YOLOing in the truest form. Surrounded by water, no computer or phone in site, and pure bliss. We spent the day laying out on the boat, cracking up trying to sail and take photos, and it was SO much fun.

M&S black bikini with rose gold trim and black knot front kaftan coverup
M&S black bandeau bikini with knot front kaftan close up

It was an amazing day, but I’m still feeling a bit out of it to be honest. Though I’d love to say that day pulled me out of my funk completely, I’d be lying. What it did do though, was remind me to not be so hard on myself and to go on adventures when I have the chance. To say “yes” to more than just work responsibility. To mix work and pleasure! I did come home feeling a lot…better. My head was clear and it was nice to relax.

Have you ever heard of or shopped from Marks & Spencer (the brand I was wearing that day) before? Their brand is all about enjoying life’s pleasures. Seriously! It’s what they base their brand’s values around which I think is awesome. Enjoying the now, not waiting for the future to wear your favorite outfit or burn your favorite candle, or in my case, not keeping my head down with work even when I was clearly hitting a wall. They’re all about cherishing life’s best moments and what’s important to you. And on the day on the lake, what was important was my happiness.

If you’re in a rut or for some reason need me to give you an excuse to do you – do it! Take that personal day off this summer (your boss doesn’t have to know you weren’t actually sick!). Treat yourself to whatever you need right now in life – even if that means it’s a whole day off. You deserve it.

P.S. A sailboat, some good ol’ Vitamin D, and a lake is a really, really good idea.

Outfit No. 1: (c/o M&S) Red Bikini // Parrot print sarong wrap // summer boater hat // sandals

Outfit No. 2: (c/o M&S) Rose gold trim bikini // black knot front sarong // striped nautical beach bag

Thanks so much to Marks & Spencer for sponsoring this content and making this post possible!