Back to 'work'

I’m back focused on ‘work’, having just returned from a creative break over the summer. For anyone interested, I’m sharing more about that experience here, partly because I have become a strong advocate for taking extended breaks and want to provide one example of what it can be like. If you’re able to organise a break designed to meet your needs, do it. I didn’t always feel that way. Despite my intuition telling me at the beginning of the year to take a break over the summer, I struggled with committing until my Action Learning Set group helped me. Initially, I was thinking in binary terms – either you work or you don’t work – but what I came to understand is that doing other things, resting or exploring other kinds of activities is still ‘work’ or will directly/indirectly contribute to my work overall. During July and August, I actually went quite deep into my creative break, focusing very little on traditional ‘work’, and I know it was not just the right thing to do but also will contribute to the outcome I wanted. I didn’t expect a huge transformation, but I expected what needed to emerge would emerge so I can better do the work I need to do going forward. In fact, a few important things emerged (so far), none of which are ground-breaking, yet they certainly did shake me up a bit.

I let go.

Generally, when I commit to investing a chunk of time it’s to add something – a degree, a certification, a new set of skills. This time was different because my time was mostly unscheduled, and I often started my day without any set agenda. I discovered the importance of going slow, even if intellectually I had previously embraced the concept. This led to a deeper understanding of what I was holding on to and that some of it didn’t really matter or serve me. I have started letting go of those things. For example, I realised ‘work’ is often performative, so I know I will be better going forward by letting go of a need to perform and focus even more on being. Now, I feel even more confident and grounded in who I am and what I am here to do. One of my words for 2022 is ‘Focus’, and I have emerged from my break with a stronger focus on who I am, what I am here to do and what matters to me by letting go of what was getting a bit in the way of seeing clearly.

I got out of my head and into my body more than usual.

I have been a serious weightlifter, an aspiring bodybuilder, for close to 30 years, so being ‘in my body’ is not something new for me. I’m a trained exercise physiologist, so the gym isn’t a hobby, but a lifestyle and part of me. However, with the luxury of time, I knew I had this window of opportunity to focus even more in the gym and on my diet. I used my time to ensure I got enough rest (often laying in the sun thanks to the amazingly warm, sunny UK weather) to aid my recovery. I gave up wine for the most part, which was one of the hardest parts of supporting my intention to get leaner! When I say I worked hard the last two months, I really mean it. I point this out because it helped me understand the importance of focus and how much time it takes to really excel. I gave myself a break, remembering the choices I made in the past to focus more on work rather than the gym which meant I wasn’t ever really able to achieve my body-related goals. I’m the closest I’ve been to where I’ve always wanted to be, and I realised the importance of time, patience and perseverance to make a wish turn into a dream and then work every day to make that dream come true.

Saying yes.

Being unfettered by a defined work schedule meant I had the freedom to be more spontaneous, so I intentionally started saying ‘yes’ much more often to things I wanted to do. Sometimes that was meeting up with friends, reading all afternoon or spending the day on a beach with a photographer for a photoshoot (see below). One Wednesday evening my husband and I had dinner with a friend in town from India after which we went for a drink. We met a couple of interesting people who eventually suggested we all go out to a club. We did and ended up staying out until the early morning hours – on a Wednesday! Saying yes more has certainly been fun, but it also helped me be much more conscious about my boundaries. Having more perceived freedom to decide what I will do every day means I’m much more conscious of what I say yes to and also when to say no.

I am intrinsically motived and give my all.

While I learned the value of slowing down and letting go, I also better understand that I am driven by nature. I am motivated and can’t help giving my all. Part of saying yes during my break was to say yes to new experiences. For example, I was invited by a couple of photographers to do shoots, and I realised it was something I enjoyed on multiple levels. The creative process was both energising and exhausting, and I think it’s always challenging to both be the object of attention and then the object of your own observation when you’re going through 600 images of yourself. Instead of doing a couple of shoots, I will have completed about eight by the end of September and have more planned. I really go after what I find interesting with energy, and I will be better at honouring that part of myself going forward.

Aside from the creative outlet photoshoots provide, I had more time to make things. Several years ago, I taught myself to sew, and I’ve worked my way toward making a commitment not to buy any new clothes when I can make them myself. I wouldn’t have been satisfied with making cushion covers! I made a few things during my creative break, including a whole outfit I can’t wait to wear out.

What’s next.

The big thing I’m taking away from my break is a sober confidence to simply go after what I know I’m here to do and what makes me happy. What I discovered is that I didn’t need something to emerge through the creative break process, but simply that I needed to let go of some things that were holding me back from seeing what was already present—what I already know. Professionally, one example is evolving my coaching offer to include a more holistic coaching experience across the mind-body-spirit continuum for those who want a transformative experience that isn’t just limited to ‘mind’ (more on this soon). I bring with me an appreciation for both the value of focus and going slow while also knowing I am super motivated and energetic about my work. I will continue to pursue my creative outlets through making clothes and collaborating with photographers, knowing this feeds my spirit and intellect and my work. Lastly, I definitely see more of these kinds of creative breaks in my future.?