Mindfulness Lessons You Need For Your Annual Leave.

There’s a funny difference I’ve noticed when people talk about time off work. In Nigeria, we often say “I’m on leave” when all it really means is: I didn’t travel anywhere, no road trips, no boats, no flights, just a pause from the office. On the other hand, “Vacation” feels like the big league, something reserved for the “bigger boys” who pack their bags, hop on planes, and explore destinations far and wide.

For me, this time around, it was simply leave, just like my HR calls it. But here’s the twist: I decided to get the absolute best out of my leave, like never before. And to my surprise, those two weeks turned out to be more refreshing, more fulfilling, and more memorable than some people’s so-called vacations.

(Quick pause before I dive in, if you’ve been following my writings, you know I just released my new book "The Mirror Principle"

A deeply personal guide on how our thoughts shape our world. It’s available now, and you can place your order here. Trust me, it will completely change how you see everyday moments, just like it did for me during this leave.)

Now back to the story. As I sit here, resuming work again, I find myself reminiscing about those days. The laughter, the little moments, the intentional living, it all lingers like a song you don’t want to stop playing. And that’s why I thought to share it with you: the six simple, mindful things I did during my leave that turned it into one of the best times of my life.

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Mindful Things I Did During My Annual Leave That Changed Everything

1. Rediscovered laughter and play with my kids
The highlight of my leave was simply being present for my children. I laughed with them, joined in their play, and cherished the small details of their personalities I had often overlooked. It felt like reading a book I thought I knew, only to discover brand-new chapters.

2. Intentional quality time with my wife
I listened more deeply to my wife, from her little wishes to her big dreams. We carved out time to talk, reflect, and plan for the future, financially and emotionally. Those conversations reminded me that presence is the foundation of love.

3. Decluttering as a family ritual
We made decluttering fun by trying on old clothes, laughing at forgotten outfits, and giving away items that no longer served us. It wasn’t just about cleaning, it was about creating space for new memories and lightening emotional load.

4. Becoming the family chef
I surprised myself (and my family) by stepping into the kitchen more often. Cooking meals became a way to serve, connect, and add a little flavour to our daily moments together.

5. School runs as moments of connection
From enjoying the final days of summer to school resumption, I found joy in taking my children to school and picking them up. What used to feel like a routine became a sacred chance to connect and encourage them at the start and end of their day.

6. Strategic family planning time
My wife and I used this leave to re-strategise how the family should run, from finances to daily routines. It was less about strict planning and more about aligning our values and priorities, ensuring that we grow together, not apart.

👉 And the truth? These are just six highlights: there were countless little mindful moments tucked into those two weeks that made it unforgettable.

At the end, I tied it back to my just-published book The Mirror Principle, reminding myself (and my readers) that life is always mirroring our attention. When I gave attention to my family, joy reflected.

"I’d love to hear from you. What’s one mindful moment you created during your own break, holiday, or weekend? Share your story in the comments; you never know who you’ll inspire."