Like many people I have been looking at what I do and starting to eliminate those things that no longer support the life I want to live. I am convinced this is THE takeaway lesson of the current economic situation, and want to be sure I no longer fritter time and money away as I have in the past.
To this end I am working longer hours, and think twice before jumping in the car to run an errand. I walk to local family-run shops instead of driving some distance to larger shops. I have rediscovered the joys of cooking, and feel better for eating fresh food at home, and am in the process of getting rid of things that no longer reflect who I am. These are all very worthy acts, but even doing worthy acts can leave you in a rut, feeling a little bored and frustrated.
Like a fairy godmother recognizing a need, I found a link from Barbara Winter to say she had article on this very subject. In it she asked why only academics have built in sabbaticals, time to recharge their batteries, get out of workday routines and reawaken buried passions? One section that particularly caught my eye was where she talked about taking a creative sabbatical. I realized that one of the reasons I was feeling caught in a rut was that in my attempt to be responsible, the part of me that gets joy from designing and creating had been pushed to one side.
I mulled over the idea of taking a sabbatical, and while embracing the concept, realized I needed to break out of this rut now! Every week will have a field trip to somewhere that refreshes my mind, provides examples of others creativity, or provides down time to ponder and play.
Simply giving myself this option has unblocked the creative juices! I found my mind racing with alternative ideas for projects I was working on, as well as new projects that would complement them. At 12:15 this morning, unable to sleep for the ideas racing round my brain, I was online researching the viability of the most promising ones.
My take away from this is that even when life is serious, it is important to remember to take the time to nourish those parts of yourself that uplift and re-energize you. This whole re-evaluation process is about improving the overall quality of life, but it can too easily slip into a feeling of deprivation. Recall what gives you pleasure, and find a simple way to reconnect with it!
