I always find ways to slow down, but the feeling guilty part gets me every single time. I could relate to this entire read. I'm giving myself permission to put down all productivity books and hacks. Certainly at this age I can come up with what works best for me to get something done... well at least let's hope so. Great read.
Our bodies will say "no" to incessant doing, when our minds continue to say "yes". Going offline from the doing mindset and transmuting it is soul work at its best because it's alchemizing our social domestication into something that frees us. The higher part of us--our Soul Self--often intervenes when we have gotten lost in the wilderness of doing. It finds a way through the darkness using whatever pathway it can to pull us back into sunlight of alignment with our true selves.
"Who are you without the doing" is such a good one! I recently started a year away from work to slow down. I think I slept for 1-2 months, so I feel this. Glad you took some time too and are finding ways to slow down.
After having children, I stepped out of work all together. I am an artist who took to task with her work like a business... (because it was) and I had to learn to sit with the fact that without the business, I was nothing and everything.
And now is the dance of the present day to day and not farming out my life -- and wanting to create that future where I am on stage sharing my poems, again.
Your Spirit is getting louder! 🥰 You're hearing her through the noise of your Internal Housemate. You know the one that's ALWAYS talking and chiming in with its opinions based on the conditioning we all go though as we're growing up. Yaaay! 🥳 It can be painful and disorienting at times, but what lies on the otherside is BEAUTIFUL. 💖 Sending you SO MUCH love and BIG HUGS, my dear friend! You are never alone.
My sobriety over the last 5 years has shown me who I am “without the doing”, and while it’s taken me some time to adjust to allowing myself space for the nothingness, I’ve come to greatly appreciate the slow life. Sure, I still get obsessed with my to do lists and hobbies and chores, but I also intentionally take time to sit outside in the sunshine with my dog and just observe. I love it. Rest is not lazy, I’m learning. I really appreciate and enjoyed this piece. Thank you!!
Thank you Kelly, your note "calms" the frenzied energy in me somehow. I have yet to fully embrace what you wrote "rest is not lazy" but it is definitely what I'm going after. (Some internal stories take a long time to revise!)
I so relate to this sense of backing away and disengaging.... I'm halfway thinking that there's something wonderful in the fact that you _could_ take that time (and reread all of Harry Potter). That sounds a bit magical in and of itself, the flexibility to do that. I'm glad you reemerged with some new clarity and some intentional scaling back. The search for balance is so hard and so individual.
From the comments I'm reading, I'm starting to think the backing away and disengaging (from 'real life') from time to time may not be so bad. I've always thought of this as only something accomplished when away on your typical vacation. But that isn't the only way. Thank you for stopping by Amy and for leaving a note because I discovered your publication as a result and loved it!
All this feedback has me feeling excited about how many conscious souls there are coming together here to talk about how to direct their own lives and consider new paths that may not be visibly "productive" but are still so worthy. This conversation gives me hope.
"Who is the one who is not busy?" is a really good Zen koan (riddle) to sit with. Great that you are tuning in to your own truths and rhythms, as uncomfortable as that might feel at times I imagine.
I just started writing a piece about my annoying productivity urge this morning so I'm right there with you. Love the sound of planning a slower six months. Hope it works
"There was the voice… you know that voice… that nagged every chance she got, pointing to the growing list of tasks, making me feel guilty for checking out."
Oh yes, thank you for this article! I also relate so well to your story. I’m probably a bit older than you but I’ve been run by efficiency & productivity most of my life—and it’s often been a most joyful experience because I think I’m built to love work, to accomplish, to go deeply into areas of study & work.
Before our children went to college I knew I’d probably experienced a sort of fall-off-the-cliff, unmoored kind of feeling-so, as I do, I planned for it :)
However, what happened to me I could not have planned for—I, like you, had an unplanned hibernation. It was in the second 1/2 of the day—for months….I didn’t recognize myself but I was driven (ha) to check out.
When the cobwebs cleared I knew what to do and started another reinvention of me/my life, what I saw as the shifting palette of my responsibilities We were all coming out of covid at that time and I started a new career.
My days now are centered around hours that I keep for myself—trips that I take by myself. I feel almost selfish & greedy sometimes :)
But I see that feeling as a telltale, wispy, sort of friendly sign that I’m on the right track for me.
It has not been an un—bumpy experience!
Ps my children may be a little young for your article but maybe not—I’ll share it!
Oooh, I love this story, Rosemary - thank you so much for sharing it. I especially love this "My days now are centered around hours that I keep for myself—trips that I take by myself. I feel almost selfish & greedy sometimes :)" and want this for myself!
Your bear analogy struck a chord. It's as if we hibernate, lulled by the siren song of "slow living" while still clinging to the frenetic pace of our old lives. It's that sneaky voice, whispering "busy is better," isn't it? I've wrestled with that one myself! But, Lou, your story is a powerful reminder that sometimes we need a forced reboot to break free from the familiar narratives and embrace the unfamiliar rhythms of our own hearts. Bravo for having the courage to listen to that inner voice and prioritize what truly matters.
Thank you Alexander! I'm actually a bit surprised that my experience seem to resonate with so many. I really thought my forced reboot/hibernation was odd behavior. 😂 Now, I know we all go through similar periods in our lives. Thanks for leaving a note too, because it led me to your publication, which I love!
Thank you! And yes, I think the more we share, the more we realize that we aren’t always so different and there is so much that we can all relate with together.
My brain, about a few months ago, did a bit of a crash, too. Collectively, I think we could all use a big fucking break. The world is INSANE right now, and we're too wired to our devices. It's unnatural, so I'm trying to spend less time in front of the screen. Good for you for planning breaks! I need to follow suit!
What I'd really love is for everyone to take a break all at the same time 😂. Back in my consulting years, we used to love the Xmas holidays because everyone was taking it slow and there were no emails, no meetings to miss, etc. — so there wasn't that feeling that the world was leaving you behind. I really hope we can normalize hibernations. Cheers, Lani!
I can relate! Deprogramming the 'doing' = success is a tough one. The feminine energy is all about ebb and flow and ease and grace. On my most insightful days I can tap into that. On my least, I'm right back into the doing, doing, doing!
I always find ways to slow down, but the feeling guilty part gets me every single time. I could relate to this entire read. I'm giving myself permission to put down all productivity books and hacks. Certainly at this age I can come up with what works best for me to get something done... well at least let's hope so. Great read.
Hi Patti. We definitely know ourselves better (or should 😉) to find what's best for us at this season of our life, right? Let's do this! Cheers.
It is a process!
Our bodies will say "no" to incessant doing, when our minds continue to say "yes". Going offline from the doing mindset and transmuting it is soul work at its best because it's alchemizing our social domestication into something that frees us. The higher part of us--our Soul Self--often intervenes when we have gotten lost in the wilderness of doing. It finds a way through the darkness using whatever pathway it can to pull us back into sunlight of alignment with our true selves.
This definitely resonates for me Victoria and feels very true to my recent experience. Thank you!
"gotten lost in the wilderness of doing. " So well said. Thank you for your cosmic yes.
"Who are you without the doing" is such a good one! I recently started a year away from work to slow down. I think I slept for 1-2 months, so I feel this. Glad you took some time too and are finding ways to slow down.
I'm starting to think that regularly hibernating for longer than a weekend (!) is a good practice! 😊
After having children, I stepped out of work all together. I am an artist who took to task with her work like a business... (because it was) and I had to learn to sit with the fact that without the business, I was nothing and everything.
Yeeessss! Love this
And now is the dance of the present day to day and not farming out my life -- and wanting to create that future where I am on stage sharing my poems, again.
Great to hear from you Lou. Sounds like your summer happened just the way you needed it to.
Thank you Matthew!
Your Spirit is getting louder! 🥰 You're hearing her through the noise of your Internal Housemate. You know the one that's ALWAYS talking and chiming in with its opinions based on the conditioning we all go though as we're growing up. Yaaay! 🥳 It can be painful and disorienting at times, but what lies on the otherside is BEAUTIFUL. 💖 Sending you SO MUCH love and BIG HUGS, my dear friend! You are never alone.
Thanks so much my friend. The Spirit is definitely getting used to having a say! 😊 Big hugs back!
My sobriety over the last 5 years has shown me who I am “without the doing”, and while it’s taken me some time to adjust to allowing myself space for the nothingness, I’ve come to greatly appreciate the slow life. Sure, I still get obsessed with my to do lists and hobbies and chores, but I also intentionally take time to sit outside in the sunshine with my dog and just observe. I love it. Rest is not lazy, I’m learning. I really appreciate and enjoyed this piece. Thank you!!
Thank you Kelly, your note "calms" the frenzied energy in me somehow. I have yet to fully embrace what you wrote "rest is not lazy" but it is definitely what I'm going after. (Some internal stories take a long time to revise!)
It absolutely takes time to change the narrative 🖤
It absolutely takes time to change the narrative 🖤
I so relate to this sense of backing away and disengaging.... I'm halfway thinking that there's something wonderful in the fact that you _could_ take that time (and reread all of Harry Potter). That sounds a bit magical in and of itself, the flexibility to do that. I'm glad you reemerged with some new clarity and some intentional scaling back. The search for balance is so hard and so individual.
From the comments I'm reading, I'm starting to think the backing away and disengaging (from 'real life') from time to time may not be so bad. I've always thought of this as only something accomplished when away on your typical vacation. But that isn't the only way. Thank you for stopping by Amy and for leaving a note because I discovered your publication as a result and loved it!
I think you got a lot of great feedback! Thanks so much for the reply - I'm glad to have found your substack.
All this feedback has me feeling excited about how many conscious souls there are coming together here to talk about how to direct their own lives and consider new paths that may not be visibly "productive" but are still so worthy. This conversation gives me hope.
I agree Corie! I feel the same way!
"Who is the one who is not busy?" is a really good Zen koan (riddle) to sit with. Great that you are tuning in to your own truths and rhythms, as uncomfortable as that might feel at times I imagine.
Ooh - I like that Zen koan. Thank you for sharing that with me, Maia!
I like that riddle!
thanks so much, Lou for mentioning my publication Un-Rush. Appreciate it.
And I enjoyed reading your piece on resurfacing from summer hibernation and finding ways to slow down....
Cheers Claudia. I love your publication!
🥰
I just started writing a piece about my annoying productivity urge this morning so I'm right there with you. Love the sound of planning a slower six months. Hope it works
Thank you Trevy. Looking forward to reading about your experience too!
I suspect it won't be long before you're doing just that ✨
"There was the voice… you know that voice… that nagged every chance she got, pointing to the growing list of tasks, making me feel guilty for checking out."
Oh yes, I know that voice!
🤗
Oh yes, thank you for this article! I also relate so well to your story. I’m probably a bit older than you but I’ve been run by efficiency & productivity most of my life—and it’s often been a most joyful experience because I think I’m built to love work, to accomplish, to go deeply into areas of study & work.
Before our children went to college I knew I’d probably experienced a sort of fall-off-the-cliff, unmoored kind of feeling-so, as I do, I planned for it :)
However, what happened to me I could not have planned for—I, like you, had an unplanned hibernation. It was in the second 1/2 of the day—for months….I didn’t recognize myself but I was driven (ha) to check out.
When the cobwebs cleared I knew what to do and started another reinvention of me/my life, what I saw as the shifting palette of my responsibilities We were all coming out of covid at that time and I started a new career.
My days now are centered around hours that I keep for myself—trips that I take by myself. I feel almost selfish & greedy sometimes :)
But I see that feeling as a telltale, wispy, sort of friendly sign that I’m on the right track for me.
It has not been an un—bumpy experience!
Ps my children may be a little young for your article but maybe not—I’ll share it!
Oooh, I love this story, Rosemary - thank you so much for sharing it. I especially love this "My days now are centered around hours that I keep for myself—trips that I take by myself. I feel almost selfish & greedy sometimes :)" and want this for myself!
Your bear analogy struck a chord. It's as if we hibernate, lulled by the siren song of "slow living" while still clinging to the frenetic pace of our old lives. It's that sneaky voice, whispering "busy is better," isn't it? I've wrestled with that one myself! But, Lou, your story is a powerful reminder that sometimes we need a forced reboot to break free from the familiar narratives and embrace the unfamiliar rhythms of our own hearts. Bravo for having the courage to listen to that inner voice and prioritize what truly matters.
Thank you Alexander! I'm actually a bit surprised that my experience seem to resonate with so many. I really thought my forced reboot/hibernation was odd behavior. 😂 Now, I know we all go through similar periods in our lives. Thanks for leaving a note too, because it led me to your publication, which I love!
Thank you! And yes, I think the more we share, the more we realize that we aren’t always so different and there is so much that we can all relate with together.
My brain, about a few months ago, did a bit of a crash, too. Collectively, I think we could all use a big fucking break. The world is INSANE right now, and we're too wired to our devices. It's unnatural, so I'm trying to spend less time in front of the screen. Good for you for planning breaks! I need to follow suit!
What I'd really love is for everyone to take a break all at the same time 😂. Back in my consulting years, we used to love the Xmas holidays because everyone was taking it slow and there were no emails, no meetings to miss, etc. — so there wasn't that feeling that the world was leaving you behind. I really hope we can normalize hibernations. Cheers, Lani!
I can relate! Deprogramming the 'doing' = success is a tough one. The feminine energy is all about ebb and flow and ease and grace. On my most insightful days I can tap into that. On my least, I'm right back into the doing, doing, doing!
I want more of that feminine energy for sure. Thanks for stopping by Bridget!