Thank you for reading my newsletter! Your support means more than you know. Please consider sharing & subscribing here if you like what you're reading.
********************************************************************************
Letting go is hard but holding on when you're losing yourself is harder. Release what doesn't serve you.
I wrote these words in my journal and have been keeping them close lately. Balance and boundaries around work have been so hard for me. I love my career, being a facilitator and writer, but I lost my footing when taking breaks from work became non-existent. I felt like a machine ready to break down at any moment. For the first time in almost two years, I've cleared my calendar and will be "slow to respond" until January 1st. I won't be taking on any new work or partnerships because my boundaries became blurry from "squeezing" things in and constantly saying, "I can make that work."
Burn out set in.
Creativity vanished.
Fatigue from the things I love so much started to emerge.
Gratitude felt fleeting.
I was off-center, on edge, and unhappy.
All I had to show for the work I said I loved was overcommitment, feeling drained from not wanting to do the things I squeezed in, and burnout. Clearing my calendar and deciding not to take on any new work made me feel relieved almost instantly. I thought I'd feel more nervous and guilty, but instead, gratefulness washed over me. It's interesting to see what feelings come up when we set and honor the healthy boundaries we put into place. Boundaries are vital for emotional rest and freedom.
As an entrepreneur, I got hung up on loving my work so much that I convinced myself that I didn't need any days off. Working for myself and being passionate about my job isn't an excuse to overwork to the point of depletion. I had to get honest with myself and ask if I was working a 9 to 5 for someone else, would this be okay with me? And the answer was no. Boundaries aren't just for others to follow; they're also for us.
I feel freer today than I have in months. After sitting with the choice to take much-needed time off, there's a sense of freedom and bravery at the surface. I feel hopeful about tapping into my creativity again so I can get my next book done. I feel grateful that I've made a promise to myself to honor these boundaries and find new ways to rest and relate to myself and work.
During this time, I am vowing to become more clear-minded and welcome presence into my life in a very intimate way. I'm committed to not feeling rushed and chaotic when it comes to work and life and balance. I am getting reacquainted with being open to possibility and wonder. I plan on staying close to who and what creates goodness, comfort, and flexibility in my life. No more self-sacrificing in the name of "I love my work." I can love my job and rest, too. I want to live a life that feels nourishing to both my mind and body. Uncovering gratitude through my lack of boundaries has been eye-opening. I'm excited for what's to come out of this time of restoration and re-centering.
Community: What have you learned this season about gratitude and accountability?
Calls to Action
Listen to my Gratitude Meditation on Alignment here.
Watch this video on adapting to change here.
Join me Sunday for our free community breathwork session. Register here.
Leave a comment or email me your answer to the question above (gratitude@alexelle.com)
