The holiday Covid almost stole…

Chasing Skyscrapers and Sunsets: My Singapore & Bali

2020. What a year! We had our well-deserved rest and relaxation holiday to Singapore and Bali booked. The countdown from the eight months from when I booked was happening. and then lockdown. The closer August came, the worse the feeling of despair became. The email that landed (think my pun is pretty good!) from the airline did not fill me with joy. It did fill my bank account again with the refund that was coming my way. Singapore and Bali were going to have to wait. Five years is a fair wait… but Covid didn’t win!

I’ve always had a sense of excitement when I’ve booked a holiday but this time there was a unique thrill that bubbled up in me. The first long haul adventure in over two years, five years since the trip that wasn’t and it was to, for me, the exotics. There was that initial spark of excitement, knowing I was going to be trading my daily routine for new sights, sounds, smells and sensations and more importantly, no work! I made a commitment that I wasn’t going to plan, prepare or type anything for 2.5 weeks. No laptop, no charger, 

and I felt like Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, ‘Freedom!’

And suddenly we were on our way. London. Singapore. Bali. That initial bubbly feeling was now a waterfall as we set off. I secretly hoped for an upgrade (you can always hope) but it was not to be. It didn’t matter. I was going on holiday after an extraordinarily busy year of working long hours. 

Finally! 

Having been to Singapore before, I knew what to expect. Humidity. Breathsucking humidity. But the beauty of Singapore with its sleek architecture, the incredible efficiency, the dazzling lights of Gardens by the Bay and my favourite place, the orchid garden within the Botanical Gardens, seems to resits the humidity and therefore so must I. Nothing can compare with the beauty of the orchids. With sweat running rivers down my face, I admired every orchid, marvelled at their creation and rested within the quiet. And that’s when it hit me. This bustling island was also tranquil within these beautiful gardens. I could just stop and relax, something that I hadn’t been able to do for months.

Now, as someone who works with clients and promotes separating work and pleasure as well as taking time out, it might sound obvious that I do it as second nature. Um, no. I sat in the gardens watching a small monitor lizard rustling some leaves thinking about work. And the penny dropped: There's a world of difference between intellectually understanding it and truly living it. I made a decision. A conscious decision. No work. Nothing. There were over the next few days opportunities to, "just check emails" or "quickly respond to that message" and each time, I consciously chose not to (except for the one that needed a holding email). Relief. Freedom. Enjoyment. Peace. My business was not going to fall apart because I was taking a well-deserved rest. 

And then Bali.

From the moment I stepped off the plane in Bali, I felt it – something was different. The warm, humid air, the scent of frangipani, the vibrant colors, and the gentle hum of local life immediately made an impact. Not even the customs declaration portal and the failed e-gates could detract with the peace and gentleness that I could feel. And with that embrace came a deliberate decision: work was staying firmly out of this zone.

There is something magical about Bali which is hard to describe. It’s a combination of stunning landscapes, beautiful people and a gentle spirit. I was not going to lose that magic by doing work. My phone remained largely in my bag (I use an Olympus camera for most photos), my iPad stayed firmly shut and I absorbed. 

Some mornings we set an alarm only because we wanted to make the most of the day exploring and other times we ‘slept in’ to 8am. A long, leisurely breakfast next to the villa pool and no mental checklist of impending deadlines. We explored ancient temples, bargained (and still got ripped off) in bustling markets, floated in an infinity pool and there was no thought given to workshops, clients or social media updates. Bali was my peace of heaven. It was a space where the only agenda was discovery, relaxation, and joy.

But what is the reality for so many business people? 

Work and holidays are such poor bedfellows because they clash. Work demands your attention, your problem-solving skills, and often, your stress. A holiday, by its very definition, is about stepping away from those demands. It's about rejuvenation, exploration, and regaining perspective. When you drag work along, you dilute the very essence of your escape. You're physically present, but mentally, a part of you is still back in the office, tethered to responsibilities. That precious sense of freedom, the kind that truly allows you to recharge, simply can’t fully materialise.

This trip was a powerful reminder that the true value of a holiday isn't just in the places you see, but in the mental space you create for yourself. It’s about letting go, completely. It’s about allowing your mind to wander, to be inspired, and to simply be. I practice what I teach, and this Bali and Singapore adventure was the perfect testament to the profound benefits of a truly work-free holiday. 

If you're planning your next escape, take my advice: leave the laptop at home, silence those notifications, and embrace the glorious freedom that awaits. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it.

Lovina Beach Sunset - Can't get better than this.

Next time: Decluttering your workspace - Getting ready for the new season.