I am away this week on a retreat, totally off-grid. Not looking at the screen at all.
I’m writing this in advance and as an advocate of stepping away from the fray. I do take weekends off and I do get more space in the summer. But a whole week away from all my obligations and routines?
It sounds good and it’s also scary. I noticed all my fears and patterns pop up like popcorn before I left. Would the food be enough for me? Would I get along with the other participants?
This summer I have really noticed how uncomfortable change is. DUH, right? It’s easy to feel the discomfort of where we are. It’s easy to feel desire for where we want to be. But between the two, we encounter a lot of thrash. We don’t easily let go of beliefs, habits, and fears that want to keep us in the known.
I witness my clients as they go through the thrash around writing and creating. Like most things, wouldn’t it be nice if it were just a matter of a slogan – Just do it! Or a schedule we could stick to?
But no. Life is meant to challenge us. If we want to grow, we have to go through the growing pains.
Here’s to giving yourself permission to have growing pains. Here’s to being kind to yourself as you go through the thrash.
What helps you get through the thrash? Feel free to share your thoughts on the Original Impulse blog here.
I just read your newsletter today and wanted to say thank you for speaking to the middle ground between where we are NOW and where we want to be. That middle ground is HARD and the THRASH is REAL!! Thank you for putting words to this feeling of frustration I have so often! And change really does seem to feel even MORE uncomfortable than usual these days, so I am doing my best to give myself space and time for some of the changes I am grappling with to move forward.
I wish I had something that helps with the Thrash, but I can say that Creative Play, JUST FOR ME with NO public sharing, has been helpful for me this year. The Creative Play has involved rag dolls and small stuffed toys, things I loved making as a girl, it’s bringing me much needed JOY!