Caroline Kennedy

Time Out to Dance
February 11, 2008

I don't know about you all out there but I am tired! This winter show season has been a grueling marathon of travel, "dancing in the aisles" to view product and talk to exhibitors and retailers, writing show reports, attending industry functions and all else that goes with the trade show business. But it's not just me who is tired, I know. This is a hard time of year for vendors, reps and intrepid reporters alike.

"I don't know how you do it!" one reader exclaimed to me at the recent New York show. "You've been at all the shows! When do you have time to write and send out all those reports that we are receiving, let alone, do the magazine?!?"

Let me tell you, it ain't easy! Life goes on hold; there's little time for family and friends, let alone any humble homey tasks that need attending to. The dust bunnies have a heyday taunting me from their corners, when I finally drag myself home.

I missed my cat Jeremiah terribly, not only while I was on the road, but even when I was "at home." For the few short days that I was home between trips to Atlanta and Dallas, I did not disrupt his visit to his Aunt JoAnn's. It would have been too confusing for him; but I have to admit, it was really was strange to get home those few nights and he was not there to greet me at the door. And during the New York show, although I returned to my domicile at night, I was not really "home." All I did was sleep there; there was little “family” time for my boy.

But there was one unusual thing that I did, during the New York show — I took time out to dance. I left the Javits Center in the middle of the day and trekked down to the dance studio to have my regular lesson with my teacher Tony Scheppler. I don’t usually do this during show time, but this time I decided to get away.

As tired as I was, and as Jello-like my legs felt, it was amazing how restorative an experience it was! It was so refreshing to focus on something else away from the show and away from business. I had reached a certain show saturation point, so getting out and away from it all, helped to clear my head. When I left the studio, there was a new spring in my step and I was able to return to Javits with a refreshed spirit. The experience reinforced in me what we all know is important, but tend to ignore — even at our busiest, we need to take time out for ourselves.

Posted by Caroline Kennedy on February 11, 2008 | Comments (0)