The Gift of Living Out of Context

We recently had the privilege of spending a week exploring England. It’s been a while since I took a whole week off! Rest is not my strong suit.

When we got back, a friend who also recently took a vacation commented, “now that I am back, I feel like I remembered that I’m a person and not just my roles.”

That struck a chord as I settle back into the usual routine. I don’t mean to live like I’m the sum of my roles, but it’s easy to slip into that mindset. Rest, travel, and no data on my phone took me out of several roles for our week away. It was like living out of context – and for that, I’m grateful.

Here’s to lessons learned and re-learned by living out of my usual context, lessons like:

• Not multi-tasking gives my mind and soul room to breathe
• Reading before bed beats TV before bed
• Daily walks are underrated, the fresh air and movement are worth the time

• Art and history aren’t just niceties, they’re stretching and inspiring and filling
• Overthinking what happened each day isn’t as helpful as I assume in the moment

• Trying new foods – even just a bite – is pretty fun
• Airplane mode is a great way to stop mindless scrolling

• Digital connection isn’t the same as time together in person (so grateful for my dear colleagues in the UK, and for getting to meet the amazing Lesley in person!)
• Awe of God’s creation and work in His people is extra-sweet when you go slow and savor it

• Matt’s pretty great, even if his British accent isn’t (he’ll either be chuffed or gutted I included this note, we’ll see…)

Pictured, not in order: Wonderful people, Winnat’s Pass, Peak District, Peveril Castle, York Minster, York walls, The Parthenon Sculptures, Matt smelling a phone booth, Seurat’s Grandcamp. There are a few thousand more, but another day… 

What have you learned when living out of context for a time?

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