I’m back from my blogging break. I mentioned in my last post I was going to take some time off for about “a week or so,” and one week turned into three. It was a conscious choice, but it wasn’t easy to give myself permission to take a break.
Do you ever feel that way? You’re tired, but you keep telling yourself, “I have to do just one more thing, and then I can relax.”
I’m not tired of blogging. Writing is one of the most fulfilling things I do. But I don’t always create the time or space to do it. Ideas pop into my head, usually while I’m in the middle of something else. But instead of jotting them down in the black leather journal I keep in the diaper bag (the one my friend gave me for my birthday, the one I was so excited to receive), I save the ideas until later. But usually, when later comes, I’m too tired. My energy is zapped.
As I sat down to write this post, I recalled something I read many months ago on Johanna Harness’s blog. If you’re running on empty, go there now. I’ll be here when you get back.
This sentence stays with me:
The first thing I tell anyone, no matter what dream they’re following, is to quit making your dream a chore. ~ Johanna Harness
Last week, my son had surgery (he’s fine!) and my goal was to get “the list” under control, so that in the days before and immediately following the surgery I could focus on my 4-year-old– one of my life’s most precious gifts. But as it got closer to the surgery day, I realized that to accomplish my true goal, I had to let some things go. So I just scratched them off the list– forever.
I think the big myth is that to be a productive, contributing individual we have to stretch– and stress– ourselves to the max. I tend to focus on the “energy zappers” first, to get them out of the way. The to-do’s take precedence, and the dream gets what’s left. When I live this way, I’m not being productive with my love. I’m not being productive with my God-given gifts.
I have seen and experienced the magic Johanna is talking about. To quote the Indigo Girls, “The hardest to learn is the least complicated.”
It’s summertime. I’m ready to shift gears and turn towards the people, places and things that give me energy. I’m sure all that energy won’t make my to-do list spontaneously combust, but wouldn’t that be awesome?
What gives you energy?
This made me cry happy tears. Amazing how closely we’re all connected. I’m honored by your words. Thank you for this post.
I’ve read your post on Energy so many times. It speaks volumes of truth. And it found me at the perfect time!
Welcome back! And with such a great post, too. I printed out the quote – love love love it. Thank you for sharing!
Welcome back, Angie! You were missed.
That’s a great quote, and I like the rest of Johanna’s post, too. I’ve realized that I was berating myself for spending my precious few hours of sitter-time some mornings going to the gym & grocery store instead of writing and working — what I’m “supposed” to be doing. But you know what? Working out gives me energy and so does having healthy food in the house, as well as checking a chore of the list so I can spend the afternoon with my boys & not worry if there’s enough milk for dinner.
Hey Angie,
Do you feel rejuvenated? I agree taking a break makes a huge difference, especially if you take the break to do what you really want to do. If we’d just put ourselves at the top of the “to do” list. Maybe make a “want to do” list and it will be easier to write or sing or paint or whatever makes us come alive.
I make singing a priority. It goes to the top. My range continues to widen because I heap so much attention on my voice.
Glad you’re back. I’ve noticed a lot of bloggers seem to have written their last entries back in April or mid-May. Maybe it’s a universal need to take a break?
Enjoy!
Giulietta
It’s very hard for me to give myself permission to JUST relax, instead of waiting until after I do just one more thing…and one more….and one more…
Lately the blogging has been the biggest thing to go, but I’m trying not to worry about it. Something about the start of summer and the almost end of school for my boys means that I’m definitely called to just be with them. Work has to get done and it does, but blogging and twitter they can fall by the side sometimes and that’s okay!
Glad to see you back though!
Welcome back, and I’m so glad to hear that your son is doing well! I’ve taken blog breaks before, sometimes out of necessity, sometimes just to have a little internet downtime. In the summer, long walks with my daughters energize me. The sea does too, as does being in my vegetable garden, urging those Jet Star tomatoes to grow, grow, grow! It’s definitely a leisurely time of year.
It’s funny, because I was just whining about having gotten only 1/3 of the way through today’s “To Do” list. My husband said “why do you make the list so long? Then you just feel demoralized when you don’t get it all done?”
Realistic expectations…that’s good advice.
And so is putting the most important things at the top of the list. Like children, and writing, and music.