Practice Non-Attachment
Allow non-attachment to create a space of possibility in your life and in turn - peace, joy and contentment.
I attended my first retreat (as a guest, not a host) in November of 2023, after almost 20 years of hosting retreats! It took me that long to give myself permission to pause. I enjoyed it so much, I plan to retreat quarterly. I know now that I deserve it, but I didn’t always think that way.
I’m an ardent believer that a pause makes everything better. Whether it’s a few minutes in a busy day or a day/weekend/even longer away from the hustle of daily life.
Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy. ~Guillaume Appollinaire
In order to give myself permission to pause, I had to acknowledge what was realistic. These acknowledgments allow me to honor myself with what I need.
Making peace with the unrealistic expectation that I "need" to get everything done immediately is the hardest step. It is also the most crucial.
Giving yourself permission to leave things undone is powerful.
Leaving things undone can look like:
As women, we continually take on more and more and that's usually when we start to lose ourselves. I experienced it first hand in my marriage and again when Mason came to live with me – it's been over six years and I'm happy to say I've found myself again.
Taking a pause doesn't look the same for everyone, and there's no set time frame. If possible, try to limit your phone usage during your pause.
A pause is NOT: doing laundry, shopping, vacuuming or scrolling endlessly on social media. Brené Brown calls that "stresslaxing" and it most certainly is not relaxing! I know because that used to be how I relaxed!
I'll say it again because it was hard for me: give yourself permission to leave things undone and pause. When you unpause, you will discover everything you need to do is still waiting for you.
This blog is intended to provide helpful suggestions for self care and overall well-being. I am not a mental health professional. If you’re struggling I encourage you to seek the help of a professional. Find a Mental Health Professional | National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988