On Rest, Inspiration, and Freedom

I’ll be the first to admit that this sweet little blog has had some long radio silences as of late. After reliving some of my early blogging days in my podcast interview with Merritt a few weeks ago I’ve been thinking about how much things have changed. Not so much in blogging, although there has certainly been a lot of change there, but in my heart toward my career. I’m bowled-over thankful for the chance to work from home while I raise our boys – to be with them full time and still have an outlet for creativity and overall chattiness. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t reflect on this blessing. Truthfully, though, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t usually feel burned out in some aspect of my job either. Whether it’s never-ending admin work, loss of inspiration, fighting the comparison trap, or having to rally to get it all done, it’s hard to not just want to throw in the towel sometimes.

 

Before I start to sound too bratty, though, I really have been reflecting on the past few months as a really long season of rest. Having two children has thrown me for a loop to be sure, and prioritizing them has meant that I’ve had to knock my Type-A urges down the totum pole a bit. The big zero in my inbox is no longer a daily goal. Playing the social media game has proven to be a soul-suck, so when I post things it’s usually through a scheduler or because I really had something to say or show. Saying no has started to come more easily, although I still word and re-word email responses a million times to try and keep from burning bridges. It’s all in the name of rest and making sure my family knows they come first, no matter what.

 

A funny side effect of the rest season has been an increase in inspiration. Before I was struggling to come up with ways to mesh the recipe needs of the internet with the way we eat at home. Then the other day I sat down with a pen and paper and planned out a full few pages of ideas for this fall, and it felt so good to feel “back.” Actually feeling prepared to make things that I think y’all will enjoy and that I feel good feeding my family is priceless! Lucky me, this inspiration is coming at a time when my off season is coming to a close and the busy season starts to wind up!

 

I think the best part of rest this summer has been the way that it’s allowed me to give myself some freedom. I realize fully that I’m free in soul and spirit, but giving myself the actual space to breathe, to step away without feeling like a failure – I’ve tasted what freedom looks like as an entrepreneur and self-motivated worker. I’ve seen that it’s not a luxury, but a necessity. Rest leads to a better job, more motivation, better time management, increased self-care, creativity overload, increased inspiration. It has made me a happier wife and more attentive mother. And it’s given me the space to breathe in life for a change.

 

Have you ever struggled to rest? How did you change that? And what did you experience afterwards?