When Your Cup Is Empty.
This is going to be a shorter post, because this past month has drained my cup. Nope, I’m not immune to it either. From moving apartments, to business stuff, to personal/family issues, I haven’t had much bandwidth to write.
And you know what? I didn’t force myself to. I thought about it, but I didn’t. I figured it was better to model taking a step back and caring for myself, rather than churning out half-hearted content that I wasn’t really psyched about. I knew that was a recipe for even worse burnout. So I did the opposite. I leaned away from the guilt and toward self compassion and realistic expectations of myself. And I didn’t feel bad about it.
Did I feel disappointed that I wasn’t able to post, knowing that people had subscribed wanting to read my content? Absolutely. But I don’t regret taking the time I need for myself. I don’t regret not overextending myself. I don’t regret behaving authentically to myself. After all, that’s what this whole thing is about.
I expected to lose some subscribers during my hiatus, and I would’ve understood. I actually gained a few, though, so I’m grateful for that. Will I lose a few after this post? Maybe. It might read like a worn out person making excuses, which is what my inner bully is telling me. Or, as I intend it to, it might read as a call to action - or in this case, inaction. This is my message to you, telling you not to overdo it.
Take a break from the thing. Cancel the thing. Reschedule the thing, and that other thing too. Not indefinitely, but for now. Give yourself permission to cast a few things aside (temporarily) to refill your cup. There are plenty of “must-do’s”, but not everything on your list falls into that category. Your brain may tell you it does, but that’s just another lie that will wear you out. Trust me.
I hope you’re all doing okay, or at least better than I’ve been. If not, I’m right here with you. Tomorrow is a different day. Only forward from here.