I've reached the same place in my life, and I'm very happy to be here. I lived as a workaholic overachiever for way too many years.
The best hustle-escape I can think of is when I was a kid, and my family would spend the entire month of August at our camp in the woods with no electricity and no running water. After a couple of days, we would all be on "nature time." I could feel my entire body slowing down to align with the rhythm of our natural surroundings. It was heavenly!!
Kate, I am saving this piece for your excellent list of qualifiers. I constantly strive to step out of the rushing brook of mindless living. This is especially true at a time in my life when I am obligated to keep juggling as fast as I can without dropping a ball. My mother is in late-stage dementia and I am duty bound to manage her life as well as my own. It is exhausting and does require saying yes to every offer of help from friends and family. But my consolation lies in the rock-solid fact that this too, shall pass, and I will once again, like you, be able to examine micro nature and escape into pleasant and enriching philosophies without clock-watching. ❤️
“The rushing brook of mindless living” is a wonderful description, Pamela! I am sorry to hear that you are in one of those phases of life that is a precarious drain on your energies, and also for the extended grief of having your mother in late-stage dementia. I cannot imagine the stress of that situation. I am glad you keep the perspective that, as in all things, this phase will move to another that will let you restore and rebuild. Stay strong.
I love the soundtrack to your story Kate. Glad you are stopping to smell the roses and see the porcupines. The best writers always do 🙂
Aw, thanks Alia! So kind!
Yes!!!!! Love this!!!! I'm going slower these days and loving it!!!
Right?! I am so glad! Thank you for the kind words and restack, my friend!
I've reached the same place in my life, and I'm very happy to be here. I lived as a workaholic overachiever for way too many years.
The best hustle-escape I can think of is when I was a kid, and my family would spend the entire month of August at our camp in the woods with no electricity and no running water. After a couple of days, we would all be on "nature time." I could feel my entire body slowing down to align with the rhythm of our natural surroundings. It was heavenly!!
So happy to hear you've escaped the harried world.
I love the phrase "nature time" and can imagine what a fantastic experience that was for all of you. Truly a vacation! Great memories, too.
Yes!
Kate, I am saving this piece for your excellent list of qualifiers. I constantly strive to step out of the rushing brook of mindless living. This is especially true at a time in my life when I am obligated to keep juggling as fast as I can without dropping a ball. My mother is in late-stage dementia and I am duty bound to manage her life as well as my own. It is exhausting and does require saying yes to every offer of help from friends and family. But my consolation lies in the rock-solid fact that this too, shall pass, and I will once again, like you, be able to examine micro nature and escape into pleasant and enriching philosophies without clock-watching. ❤️
“The rushing brook of mindless living” is a wonderful description, Pamela! I am sorry to hear that you are in one of those phases of life that is a precarious drain on your energies, and also for the extended grief of having your mother in late-stage dementia. I cannot imagine the stress of that situation. I am glad you keep the perspective that, as in all things, this phase will move to another that will let you restore and rebuild. Stay strong.