I’ve just had my own massage.

I aim to have a treatment at least monthly – fortnightly if I can manage it. In my profession, it’s common to do “swaps” – go see another therapist, have a massage then swap over and give a massage to the other person. But I don’t like this.

I’m a therapist all the time.  Every now and then I want just to be a client. Just to be me.

I love to be able to take time out of my busy week and have a full hour’s massage. This is time just for me. It’s not just about the physical massage – although that’s always so valuable, especially right now as I’m working towards new running targets. It’s also taking time out to let go of all the stuff that is in my head – all the thoughts, plans, worries, to-do items etc.

During that hour on the couch I step off the world.

Everything and everyone can wait. My phone goes on silent, in fact I don’t even take it into the room. I discuss what I want and I let the therapist work their magic.

Whilst on the couch I decide how I want to feel at the end of the treatment – could be energised, enthusiastic, flexible, focused, calm … it’s my body and I can decide to feel any way I want.

Then I just breathe and focus on letting go of anything I notice. Anything at all.

At the end I am restored. Loose and flexible, tall and flowing, but I also feel strong and mentally ready for the challenges ahead.

I usually combine my massage with a couple of hours of time after – just to sit and enjoy space. This time it was a sausage and egg baguette (it was late breakfast time by then) and a huge coffee 🙂

When did you last take time out for you?