Do Good Work. Rest. Repeat.
Monday, December 7, 2009 at 8:32AM 
seaside hotel, Cannon Beach, Oregon (July 2009)
I am tired. This is most of what I've been feeling and thinking for the past few days. After a summer and autumn of monthly travel and monthly school deadlines, and the last four weeks of creative madness that resulted in a book, I am deeply and profoundly exhausted.
It is winter's beginning here, and already I can't seem to get enough sleep or hot tea. I am nesting, hibernating, going inward. I wish I could take the next month to lounge and drink tea and read. I'm doing those things, but there's also a to-do list tapping me on the shoulder, clearing its throat in a meaningful way, raising its eyebrow and looking at me sideways. I glance at it every so often and give it a kind little pat on the head. There, there now, To-Do List. You'll be alright, I say.
I've shifted into bare minimum mode, doing just enough to get through each day, just what's needed and no more unless I really want to do it. I'm learning to be kind to myself on a new level, learning to recognize when I've done good work, learning when it is time to rest.
Over the next few posts I'm going to write about the experience of creating Lanterns: A Gathering of Stories. Think of it as a behind the scenes look, the director's commentary, if you will. I'll share what I learned about doing such a project in the hope that you'll find some useful lessons, too. The book is at the printer this week, and I'm getting ready to ship out all the pre-orders as soon as I have my mitts on those lovely little squares of kindness and inspiration. You can place holiday pre-orders until next week, so if you need a gift or two, check out the discounted bundles.
I am tired, but I am also deeply and profoundly happy and satisfied. It feels good.
Reader Comments (7)
Sleep well. Dream big.