When I started writing this post, I searched "letting things go" on my blog to make sure I hadn't used the title before.
It felt like something I've felt before - and if it's something I've felt before, I've probably said it before. And if I've said it before, I've surely written it before, so my thoughts were that I'd be repeating a sentiment with this piece.
The good news? I hadn't used those three words in a previous blog post title. The not-so-good news? I've definitely expressed this sentiment before: here, here, and here.
I had a bit of a breakdown recently, where I tearfully admitted that "Nothing feels fun anymore." This blog has led to an incredible amount of awesome opportunities doing things that I've really enjoyed. Sure, there have been downsides to it too - chasing freelance publications for monies owed, uncomfortable clashes between online/offline life, battling my own insecurities and imposter syndrome symptoms - but even the crappy moments have become wonderful teachable moments that may not have felt great, but served important purpose. The major lesson I'm learning now is that I've hit a wall, and instead of trying to find my way under/over/through it, I need to just sit there for a while with my back against its firmness, and just...be.
At my annual physical, my doctor noted that some of my bloodwork results looked a bit off, and sent me back for a do-over. I'm awaiting those results now, but made the poor decision to find my way down a rabbit hole of WebMD and Mayo Clinic websites, getting more stressed and worried with every click. I'm sure that - as has always been the case - I'm fine, and the majority of my concerns are related to stress that I don't manage well. In those posts I mentioned before, I'm sure I acknowledged my issues with control, stress, worry, taking on too much, not finding a good balance or taking a break when needed, but I clearly didn't do a good job of remedying them. I feel like this is the moment where I need to really work on those things and find a way to a healthier and happier me, and I need to be serious about it this time.
I always start out excited about things. Sometimes I'm giddy and passionate about an idea I've come up with, or I'm honoured to be approached by someone else who wants to work with me. Sometimes I see a posting for an opportunity that I know I'd be perfect for. Other times I say yes to something because of what I hope it will lead to. The FOMO (fear of missing out) hit me not as a fear of missing out on social media, but a fear of missing out on some incredible opportunity. I'd say "yes" then find myself in the midst of emails and meetings and drafts and rehearsals and busyness with nothing but good intention, ready to grow as a multi-faceted person who's aware that she's cultivating a personal brand at the same time. Some of the things I was excited about recently have left me feeling anything but. Chasing entities for thousands of dollars owed, being asked to work for compensation below my worth, consistently showing up for others and noting that reciprocity isn't in everyone's vocabulary - these things have been draining me lately, but I've kept pressing on. Other things I remain excited about, but I feel burned out to the point where I have nothing left to give them right now. I miss things like Sunday mornings before anyone else is awake - just me, a cup of tea, and my blog. I miss feeling like I'm not always behind or chasing an ever-lengthening to-do list. I miss taking the time to enjoy life and be inspired by it. The work is fun until it's not - and it happens so rarely that when I feel it as strongly as I do now, I need to heed the message.
All of the things I do are supposed to compliment each other and give me outlets that other parts of my life don't provide. When my outlets start feeling like burdens, it's the most frustrating thing - where do you turn next? During a Twitter chat about making your side hustle a full-time entrepreneurial pursuit, I tweeted that it was crucial to protect your passions - just because your passion becomes your full-time gig, that doesn't mean you won't ever end up disillusioned by it like any other job. My passions need to be protected right now. My health needs to be protected right now. My desire to be and do and create needs to be protected right now. All of these things need to be tended to, cared for, nurtured back to a place of fruitfulness and rejuvenation, otherwise nothing that I am or do will ever be where I want and need it to be.
It's a new season, and we always joke about the cold weather being our sign that it's time to make like bears and hibernate from the social scene. Instead of thinking of it as hibernation, I'll take my cue from the trees. There's something beautiful about the way trees shift, change, and let go, taking time to be still before flourishing again. Maybe that's what I need. Maybe that's what more of us need. There's much to be said about the doing of life, but none of us can afford to miss out on the being. This is the season to pick and choose; to be careful and intentional about what I do and how I do it. I'm sure that soon enough the balance, inspiration, passion, and fun will all return for me, and until then, I'll just take my time.