Planning a Year of Rest

The start of a new year always brings that mix of excitement and overwhelm. As a founder running a couple of businesses, I know this feeling all too well — the pull of calendars filling up, the reality of big deadlines for the new year already creeping up all too quickly, the pressure to have the whole year figured out from yesterday, and the constant hum of tasks that never seem to end. Over the past few years, I’ve learned that the only way to truly reclaim a sense of calm is to plan ahead, intentionally, for rest. Not just for work, but for my own mental health, for moments with loved ones, for connection with my partner, and simply to give myself permission to slow down. And I’ll be honest, this is something that I still struggle with.

That’s why this year, my New Year’s resolution is simple: to place moments of rest firmly in my calendar before work, meetings, and obligations fill every available space.

The Value of Planning Ahead

When we leave rest to chance, it rarely happens the way we hope. First of all, I’ve found that if you leave it to chance, it doesn’t actually happen. Then when you actually scramble to put in a last-minute trip, you often end up feeling stressed with getting it all over the line and you also miss out on the best part – the anticipation. Did you know that much of the joy of travel comes waaay before the trip itself? That excitement when you’ve put it in the calendar or you’ve booked your tickets or the hotel. I’m sure you’d agree that the mere planning process in dreaming up your next vacation already gives you flutters of excitement. Studies actually show that knowing that a break is coming provides mental relief long before the trip itself. In many ways, the anticipation becomes part of the healing.

We pour so much effort into strategic planning for our businesses or teeing up our career development plans for the year ahead…why aren’t we as efficient in doing this for our personal life?

Booking ahead transforms the experience entirely. Here are other reasons I’ve come across:

1. Clarity and peace of mind: Knowing that a weekend or getaway is already reserved allows your mind to let go of planning stress. It’s a mental reset even before you leave.

2. Better experiences: Early planning often means you can choose the best accommodations, quiet rooms, or experiences that are truly restorative (and often at decent prices!).

3. Intentionality: When rest is scheduled, it becomes a priority, not an afterthought. It’s easier to protect that time, whether it’s for family, a partner, or yourself.

4. Family and partner connection: Having planned moments gives your loved ones something to look forward to, too — it strengthens relationships when shared experiences aren’t left to chance. Here's a good one a friend shared with me recently: Have you heard of the ‘2-2-2 Rule’ for couples? The idea is that you:

   • go on a date every 2 weeks,

   • spend a weekend away together every 2 months, and

   • take a week vacation together every 2 years.

Practical Tips for Booking Your Restful Year

• Mark the calendar early: Take a look at long weekends, public holidays, and any personal milestones. Treat them as sacred blocks for rest and connection. I'll share a list of long weekends in the Philippines you might want to consider. Personally, I started out by:

  • Allocating at least half a day with myself to 'do nothing'. By 'do nothing' I mean reading a book, watching TV, or pottering aimlessly around the house. 'Do nothing' means many different things to different people. For me, it just means 'switch off your brain and don't do work!'

  • Then, allocating time off at the weekend to give the kids my time. This sounds really obvious but when you're running around like a headless chicken, each day seems to meld into each other and not a day goes by that you don't have something to fix or have a project that requires your attention.

  • Reflecting on the reality of my kids growing up so fast and that there are a finite number of summers before they reach adulthood and live their own independent lives. For my eldest, I've only got 5 summers left before university! So I'm already starting to plot out our dream destinations as a family. Changing careers and starting new businesses (for both my husband and myself) had meant that family vacations to new long-haul destinations had become a luxury beyond what they already were, for many reasons. One of which was not being able to leave the businesses for even a day. At least now we've reached a point where we have great teams behind us and we can look forward.

• Decide your type of rest: Some weekends are for total disconnection, some are for gentle adventure, and some are for wellness and self-care.

• Set intentions for each trip: Go beyond logistics — think about what you hope to feel or achieve: connection, excitement, reflection, calm.

Long Weekends to Consider in the Philippines (2026)

Here are the confirmed and likely long weekends that we're preparing for at Nuuk Taal. If you’re planning intentional weekend getaways in the Philippines, these are perfect opportunities to look forward to:

• March 19/20-22: Eid'l Fitr - This might end up being a long weekend depending on the moon sighting

• April 2-5: Holy Week

• May 1–3: Labor Day (May 1, Friday)

• June 12–14: Independence Day (June 12, Friday)

• August 21–23: Ninoy Aquino Day & National Heroes Day (Aug 21, Friday)

• August 29-31: National Heroes Day (Aug 31, Monday)

• October 31-November 02: All Souls'/Saints' Day (Nov 2, Monday)

• November 28–30: Bonifacio Day (Nov 30, Monday)

• December 24–27: Christmas weekend (Dec 24/25, Thurs/Friday)

• December 30-January 3 2027: (Dec 30 Rizal Day, Wednesday)

(Some dates may shift slightly depending on official announcements, including the addition of Eid holidays — but it’s always better to plan and adjust if needed.)

A Personal Reflection

I’ll admit — it hasn’t always been easy. Running businesses often feels like there’s always “one more thing” that requires attention. But I’m learning that the best decisions, the most creative ideas, and the most meaningful connections happen when I make room for stillness.

So this year, I’m inviting myself — and you — to put rest in the calendar before life fills it up. Whether it’s a long weekend with your family, a quiet retreat with a partner, or a solo escape to reflect and recharge, planning ahead makes all the difference. I've seen many of our repeat guests at Nuuk Taal do this (they come regularly to unwind and some don't even leave the hotel until they've booked in their next quiet weekend with us) and I often ask myself why I haven't followed their lead. Like I said, this is still a work in progress for me but when I’ve done it right in the past, I realised that planning rest is a mental health practice. We could all do with setting boundaries for work, giving yourself permission to slow down and creating pockets of joy that we can look forward to.

Think of it as an investment in clarity, energy and perspective. Think of it as a gift to your future self.

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About Nuuk Taal

Nestled on the tranquil shores of Taal Lake in Batangas, just a short drive from Manila and Tagaytay, Nuuk Taal Boutique Hotel is a luxurious lakeside retreat with breathtaking views of Taal Lake and Volcano, offering an unforgettable escape from the city. With elegantly appointed suites, intimate event spaces, and personalized services, Nuuk Taal is perfect for romantic and family getaways, destination weddings, corporate retreats, wellness escapes, or simply a relaxing weekend by the lake.

At the heart of our property is Ilulli, our in-house restaurant serving Nordic-inspired international cuisine where guests can enjoy a range of experiences—from curated culinary experiences to multi-course tasting menus, and private celebrations. For those looking to explore, nearby attractions include Tagaytay’s scenic spots, hiking trails, golf courses, local farms, and cultural tours, making Nuuk Taal an ideal base to combine relaxation, adventure, and memorable experiences. Every moment at Nuuk Taal is thoughtfully designed to feel effortless, authentic, and deeply personal.

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