Welcome to The Pause, dear friend. Come on in and make yourself comfortable.
Wherever you find yourself reading this, my hope is you know you are appreciated and loved. And, just in case I caught you in one of those moments where some reassurance would be welcomed, please know you’re doing a great job. Keep going. It’ll somehow all work out the way it’s supposed to in the end.
Let’s take a moment today to let go of the outcome and celebrate the effort.
Settle in, take a deep breath, and get ready to pause in 3...2...1...
⛰Worth Celebrating
When I start contemplating what I’m going to write for The Pause I’ll sometimes catch myself obsessing about how enough it is.
Is this meaningful enough?
Is this funny enough?
Is this short enough?
Is this profound enough?
It seems that, even with years of therapy under my belt, my brain still insists on sneakily trying to reprioritize what’s of utmost value in the art I create — attempting to stack appeasing the opinions of others over valuing the discovery of myself.
I know myself enough to know the order of prioritization matters. When I prioritize appeasing the opinions of others it oftentimes leads to the creation of pieces that sound pretty and put together but feel almost like wearing a shoe that’s one size too small: tight and a little forced. When I prioritize valuing the discovery of myself it feels something like wearing house Crocs (though not the prettiest): so damn good.
Whether I want to be there or not, I find myself participating in a seemingly never-ending game of hide-and-seek with the people-pleasing part of my brain.
Will they think this is worthwhile enough?
Will they think this is important enough?
Half the time, I don’t even know who “they” are, which can feel especially frustrating given that it has been years of work and self-reflection. I mean, at what point am I going to be able to keep the figurative “they” from showing up in the first place?
Perhaps the answer is never.
And, perhaps, even if it feels frustrating, that’s actually where the gold is.
Because every time I start a new draft and “they” are there, I’m challenged to take a look inside and get right with my own creative intentions.
Is this to appease they,
or is this to discover me?
And I’m given the opportunity to decide.
Will I choose to prioritize what looks right or will I choose to prioritize what feels right?
Today, take a moment and bring focus to something you’ve been working on for a while.
Maybe it’s reprioritizing the people-pleasing part of your brain.
Maybe it’s communicating with a kinder tone.
Maybe it’s not gossiping or engaging in conversations about people who aren’t in the room.
Maybe it’s seeing yourself with more compassion.
Whatever it is, take a moment to appreciate the opportunity for growth that comes with it.
Appreciate that, even if it feels frustrating and annoying and like you just can’t seem to get it, you’re putting effort into becoming better and that effort is worth celebrating even if you haven’t mastered the outcome.
⏸ Pause & Reconnect
**There are no right or wrong answers; just what’s true for you.**
What’s something you’ve been working on that feels like, no matter what kind of effort you’re putting in, you just can’t “get”?
Can you take a moment to let go of the outcome and appreciate the effort you’re putting in to change?
I hope you leave this month feeling grateful for yourself and your effort to become even a little bit better every day.
Sending you and yours love.
Until we meet again. 🖤
- L
P.S. I loved this pep talk from Glennon about allowing art to be untamed. If you’re someone who creates in any part of your life, I hope you’ll take a moment and enjoy.