We’ve officially crossed the half-year mark. All the generous public holidays that bled into weekends are behind us. With only a small reprieve in the form of Women’s Day and Heritage Day (which in fairness, does deliver a long weekend), a lot of us will be thinking ahead to the end of the year. Add to that our body’s natural leaning towards hibernation during colder seasons, and we have the annual lethargy of the mid-year slump.
But, if we know that this phenomenon occurs every year, surely there are provisions we can make to not only survive it but strive through it?
Those with kids find themselves having to entertain another school holiday; providing the perfect opportunity to apply for leave and travel. Taking a break as the mid-year slump sets in is the easiest way to give your body the recharge it needs to make it to the festive season.
If you’re lucky enough to have the leave (and the means) try and take advantage of South Africa’s shoulder season:
• Flight costs tend to be cheaper (though domestic and international prices are starting to look the same these days – and school holidays can increase demand).
• Hotels and lodges run competitive specials to entice travellers.
• Tourist attractions aren’t as busy as they would be during peak periods.
I tend to migrate east, myself, over this time as the Cape of Storms gets a little too rough and tumble for my liking. Cape Town is a dream during summer, and the lack of sun coupled with days of torrential rain gives me the winter blues. Somehow 28’C Gonubie weekends help me wade through the weariness of the mid-year slump!

What can those who don’t have leave days to spare – or their mother’s beach house to run away to – do?
Incorporating self-care into your daily schedule might be your saving grace. The weekly treat of putting the pots away for a night of takeout or running yourself a bath is sufficient when you’re riding a productivity wave. When your brain is feeling a little foggier than usual, however, a micro act of intentional love and consideration every day is important. If you’re a goal orientated person, revisiting your 2023 vision board, and adjusting it realistically might be what juices you up until December. Social butterflies who find they’re lacking the positivity they pull from spending time with loved ones should consider joining a gym. Sign up for a spinning or yoga class and you’ll find yourself meeting people in no time – and you’ll be dosing yourself with added endorphins from the exercise.
Daily meditation, imposing a digital detox (no devices 7pm – 7am), investing in a quality bed and orthopaedic pillows to ensure your rest is top shelf are other things you can introduce into your routine to improve your quality of life is simple ways. Even at my age, I put aside a flavoured milk (yes, really!) to enjoy at the end of the day, as it gives me something to look forward to and is a reward for giving each day my best. Consider decorating your days with similar motivators and you’ll surprise yourself by how you’re able to turn your mood around.
It’s worth remembering that we’re all in this together. You’re probably feeling as run down as your neighbour, and vice versa. So, treat yourself with the same amount of patience and compassion as you treat friends and colleagues, and you’ll get a natural sense of the reserves within yourself that need replenishing this time of year.
Mindful Musings

Marketing Musings
by Kate Bellairs-Lombard
Unleashing the Power of Influencer Marketing
Social media has revolutionised the way we consume information and make purchasing decisions. And a trend which continues to grow is influencer marketing. By using popular personalities, you can leverage their influence through platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. It’s a powerful tool which delivers:
- Authenticity and Trust:
Over time, influencers have cultivated a loyal and engaged following by sharing their personal experiences and opinions. When an influencer shares their travel adventures, it creates a sense of authenticity and trust among their audience. This genuine connection helps travellers feel more confident and inspired to explore new destinations. By partnering with influencers who align with their brand values, travel companies can tap into this trust to build a positive reputation and attract potential customers.
- Reach and Exposure:
Influencers possess an extensive network of followers who actively seek their recommendations and guidance. By collaborating with influencers, travel brands can access a vast audience that may be interested in their offerings. Influencers often create visually stunning content showcasing unique experiences. This content increases brand visibility and drives organic engagement. The power of this potential reach can be harnessed to target specific demographics and geographic regions, attracting new travellers, and expanding market reach.
- Targeted Partnerships:
Influencer marketing allows travel brands to identify influencers whose content aligns with their target market. For example, adventure travel companies can collaborate with adventure enthusiasts and outdoor bloggers who share their love for exploration. Luxury resorts can partner with high-end lifestyle influencers who cater for affluent travellers. These targeted partnerships ensure that the content reaches the right audience, resulting in higher engagement, conversions, and return on investment.

Influencer marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy to for the travel industry, providing opportunities for brands to connect with potential travellers in a compelling and authentic way. By leveraging the reach, trust, and aspirational content created by influencers, travel companies can inspire wanderlust and build brand awareness. As the travel industry continues to evolve, influencer marketing will remain a key tool in capturing the attention and loyalty of travellers worldwide.
What The World Has Been Musing Over

Barbie’s Dreamhouse available
Thinking pink? Barbie’s Dreamhouse in Malibu has been listed on Airbnb for a limited time. Soon, fans will be able to live out their Ken and Barbie fantasy.

Love-struck tourist could be facing jail time
One love-struck tourist could be facing jail time, and thousands of euros in fines. The now identified man was caught on camera carving his and his girlfriend’s name onto the wall of a beloved Roman Heritage Site

Digital detox looming
Whether you like it or not, it seems a forced digital detox may be in all of our futures as NASA warns of an impending internet apocalypse.