Are we disenchanted with the lives we're expected to live?
Why are so many of us hitting the "pause" button of our lives right now?
I have a little bit of energy this morning, so I thought I’d touch base with you all. How are things in your part of the world?
Even though I recently announced that I would be pausing my 100-day project, I am feeling the need to be curious about this question.
Why are so many of us hitting the "pause" button of our lives right now?
Every day I read or hear about someone who is overwhelmed, suffering from depression, and many more permutations. People who have decided to take one or many steps back.
I did it myself a few weeks ago.
For many, it involves taking a break from social media, trying to "do everything", writing that regular newsletter, or doing that latest challenge. In reality, it is often a complex combination of many things that we want to take a step back from.
We are hitting the pause button.
For me, it was about giving myself some space to breathe, to process and let some things go.
A shift
What I admire most about reading people's stories, is that they are unashamed to share their feelings, to share their state of mental health.
It seems to me that more and more of us are beginning to shed the idea that feelings must be frozen, hidden or buried in order to live a good life.
It seems to me that we are opening ourselves up to being more vulnerable, to being more honest with ourselves and therefore others.
I see a subtle shift - we are no longer afraid to state that we are hitting the pause button publicly!
Quintessence
I leave you with this thought: Are we disenchanted with the lives we're expected to live?
I wonder if we are yearning to write what Sarah Blondin calls "a story we want to live in", rather than stories we’ve been spoonfed our whole lives. I know I am beginning to write the story I want to live in, even though it is proving to be a tough road to take!
Hopefully, I will slowly but surely begin to thrive, to live each day as best I can.
To do things with intention.
To be aware of how I am living my days.
What about you: are you writing the story you want to live, or are you thinking about it?
"We are made of story, which means we are also storytellers actively participating in creation. We must be wise and artful with what lines we contribute and what stories we carry into every room" (Sarah Blondin Folding In).
The card art
There's not much to say about the card art - it’s a simple piece. The background is a watercolour wash, overlaid with a simple watercolour leaf shape.