Letter From The Newsletter Editor: The Abundance Fog

Do you ever have days where your brain feels like a jumbled, foggy mess? I have been experiencing this more and more. I’ve tried to pinpoint why it happens. There are days that I feel like I could take on the world. The big picture questions are clear and I am tuned in to my knowledge. Then on other days, I’ll be completely unable to problem-solve or summon any ounce of creativity. It almost makes me feel broken, somehow. I might be the only one, but I suspect I might not be because I think I’ve figured out that the root cause is distraction.

I love to do all of the things. I want to excel in my work, lead an active life, have hobbies, and have meaningful conversations and friendships. At some point, every one of these things can become distracting. When I am working on developing a big picture idea for work, my phone could be dinging with notifications. When I am trying to learn more about how to grow vegetables that I can actually eat, my mind might be ruminating on a tough conversation. All of the parts of life start to mix and swirl together until you can’t give anything your full attention. As our days become richer with more abundance, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed.

This I would say is a fantastic problem. After our April conference, I was feeling run down. My energy and attention had been pulled in so many directions for so long that finding the laser focus I needed to run our event took everything I had. I had planned to take a couple of days off after we were done, and it was in those days that the clarity started to come back. I didn’t respond to messages on my phone. I didn’t check my emails. I ignored anything that wasn’t directly in front of me. It felt like another unplugged experience but without completely ditching technology. In the following days, I started re-integrating by focusing on work. I planned my work times and tasks for the week and only focused on what was on my list for each day. Then, when I was done, I turned my full attention to whatever was next. Whether it was playing pickleball or cooking dinner, I ignored notifications. I tried to stay in every moment as intentionally as I could.?

Every conversation felt more real. Everything new I learned seemed to stick a little bit better. I felt a peaceful calm in my mind. I stopped letting myself step into tomorrow to anticipate where I needed to be next. I stopped planning so much beyond the beginning of my week. I made a singular plan, and I stuck to it. It led to balance and it led to clarity.?

I love having so many positive things to occupy my mind. I feel grateful that nurturing new friendships is something that takes up my time. I feel grateful for a job that is pushing me to think in different ways.?

Stepping back and allowing myself the time to approach each of the things that could become distracting in the wrong moments with intentionality was an incredible exercise. It helped me shed the frustration I was feeling with my cloudy mind. What surprised me the most was that no one was mad at me. I was the only one who believed I had to be all things to all people (including to myself) all of the time. Shocker, right??

If you’re feeling like your mind is jumbled, you might be like me. When life becomes abundant, it’s easy to get a little lost and overwhelmed. Give yourself a chance to turn inward and truly enjoy each moment. Let things breathe. Most of what we think needs an answer right now, really doesn’t. Slow down a little and give yourself permission to interact with each part of your life when you have the attention and energy to give it.?

I’m still learning and this was just a toe in the water of what I think will be a deeper chapter of life. It’s appropriate to kick it off in the long, slow days of summer. Let’s really enjoy them.

Your Newsletter Editor,

Tyler Grogan