Are You Okay? Checking-In amid the Busiest Slowdown

Dear Reader,

I hope this message finds you well in mind, body, and spirit.

To say this present season has been . . . a lot . . . would be an understatement. How are you doing? Are you resting? Are you asking for help? Have you given yourself permission to downgrade some things that don't really need High Priority status? Permission to disengage? To prioritize you?

Finding Meaning

I read something referring to the transition of nature in the autumn season that really resonated with me :

...the oak and all its neighbors began to prepare for the winter to come. In a blaze of golds and reds they celebrated the harvest's passing, and then, leaf by leaf, they let go of the pageantry of autumn. On an exhale they began returning their energy to their roots, drawing their sap down into their core.

- from Maia Toll's "Wild Wisdom Companion"

I love the imagery of returning our energy to our roots, bringing our focus back to the core of our beings.

Practice This

Lately, I've been appreciating the benefits of adding small practices or rituals into my days and weeks. If you find value in that as well, here's one to try that accompanied the above reading:

Think about what you have created this year. From this place of deep connection with yourself, evaluate what you need in your life right now and what you can let go. List what you will release and why, then tuck that note [somewhere you'll remember later]. Revisit this note so that you, like the oak tree, can let go with ease and grace.

If you're like me, it's probably pretty easy to think of what you want to release right now. But evaluating what I needed took a little more reflection. I learned that I've been needing:

- Sleep (much more than I typically allow myself)
- Sunshine and fresh air
- The company of kind and compassionate people

What things would be on your list?

What's New with Me

It's been two whole months of having all three of my kiddos enrolled in school - for the entire day! And you can believe me when I tell you I'm reclaiming my time! =D

So far, I've managed to:

Increase my involvement in local community organizing
Become a member on TWO volunteer boards
Start the process of opening a pop-up book shop, and
Organize a local holiday pop-up market

That while still managing a short term rental property, attempting to finish a novel, and - you know - just everyday house and family stuff. *Whew!*

By the way, for those of you local to the Seattle area, come see me at the Newcastle Holiday Pop-up Market, Sunday, December 8th from 12 - 5pm. We'll be at the Coal Creek Safeway parking lot, located at 6911 Coal Creek Pkwy SE, Newcastle, WA 98059.

Newcastle Arts Council Holiday Pop-up Market banner

When Both Can Be True

Now, it's not lost on me the irony of evangelizing rest and slowing down in the very same email I enumerate the myriad of things I've been doing. Because look, both can still be true. We can be productive and busy and still take breaks to rest. We can move through our days doing what needs to be done, while dedicating moments to focus on our own needs. We can process, grieve, and withdraw from the world for a time, and also have a burning desire to show up, activate our community, enact change, and fight. It's simply called being human. And aren't we just trying to be the best humans we can be?

That's why I've been revisiting the things that have helped and nourished me in the past. Perhaps you'll find them helpful for you too.