“I’m 28 & Finally Listening To My Body – Why I Cancelled My Holiday Plans”

Summer holidays are supposed to be a highlight – the perfect reset after months of work and grey London days. But what happens when the trip you’ve been looking forward to suddenly feels like another obligation? That’s exactly what happened to me this year, and here’s why I chose to listen to my body and cancel my Croatian festival plans.

When rest became the real priority

But then, somewhere in the lead-up, things changed. Summer crept up on me—as it always does. A few spontaneous trips (cough, three…) before the actual festival, paired with the full force of London’s summer social scene, really started to take its toll. For the first time, I began to understand that classic line: ‘hangovers get worse as you get older.’ I’m not 21 anymore – I can’t bounce back from a five-day Ibiza stint and be bright-eyed at my desk by Monday morning! Both my best friend Katie and I reached a point where we craved something different – a trip where we could still have fun but also come back feeling refreshed, rather than completely wiped out for a week afterwards.

For the first time, I began to understand that classic line: ‘hangovers get worse as you get older.‘

The plan B

So why did visiting my dad in Greece feel more aligned? Greece has always been my happy place – it’s slow, peaceful, and so beautiful. I feel really lucky that my dad lives there, so it’s always within easy reach for a quick reset. Katie feels exactly the same way, so when I floated the idea a week before we were meant to fly to Croatia, we both instantly latched onto it. The promise of crystal-clear water, fresh and delicious food, and zero pressure to stay out until sunrise suddenly felt so much more aligned with what we both needed.

Recharging, not just escaping

After a summer that felt non-stop, I wanted to return from this trip feeling recharged rather than drained. For me, that means good sleep, nourishing food and slow mornings. Emotionally, I think it’s about having space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with what actually feels good for my body and mind, without the constant background noise of parties, late nights, and FOMO.

Resetting my expectations

When it comes to social plans, I’ve always been the epitome of ‘easily influenced, can’t say no’. My inner monologue was usually, “but what if this is the best night of your life?” – and honestly, that mindset carried me through my 20s in the best way. But something has definitely shifted this year. Whether it’s my Saturn Return or simply getting a little older, I’ve started to really value balance. I still love the party and the spontaneity, but I also deeply cherish my downtime now. Protecting that space to rest and reset feels just as important as saying yes to the fun.