What do you do when you have a long list of to-dos, a schedule that screams at you, and the pressure of needing to produce and accomplish? Usually I move faster, or try to, while my mind races to the next thing and the one after that.
This summer has hustled me along, day after day full of more than I can handle. Now, I’m seeing back to school signs. Kids in other parts of the country have already left the beach, pool, backyard swing set, and sandbox for the classroom.
I had a meltdown after dinner the other night thinking about how this summer has been all work and no play. “But we didn’t even do anything fun yet this summer!” Starting a business and trying to keep financially afloat is no joke. And although I’m not surprised by what it takes, I still need a break from it from time to time, like anyone else. Yet I feel the incessant need to invent, create, promote, improve, sell, etc.
While listening to an Etsy Success podcast yesterday, I heard the word “burnout” more than once and knew that was where I was headed. So I’ve made the decision to take this Sunday to reflect, write, read, paint, walk, to notice and discover–anything that is nurturing to the soul and doesn’t add to my stress levels. I cannot solve all of my problems or think creatively while already at my wit’s end. Seems silly to even write it, but sometimes it takes writing it to make it true for myself.
So, wherever you are and whatever you do today, I hope you also take time to rest from the race, hide from the hustle, and blend your being with birds, the blanket of earth under your feet, the breeze playing with your hair. As Mary Oliver wrote in her poem “Look and See”,
“Oh, Lord, how shining and festive is your gift to us, if we only look, and see.”
by Alison Malee. This delightful collection of poetry is fresh, sharp and fiery. Emotion sings from every page. Sometimes they are angry, at others singing a tender love song. Sometimes full of everyday life and then they soar into possibility. Sometimes all in the same poem.
. This was a fascinating, intelligent, and upbeat conversation that left me wondering why I haven’t already read this novel and the others she’s written. (Sad fact: I hadn’t heard of her until now. Happy fact: the whole reason this podcast exists.) I’m now in the middle of 
and 
which I’m loving as well.
by Emily St. John Mandel. I haven’t read this, but Anne Bogel of 
by Anne Lamott is another book about writing that I’ve been wanting to read for a while. I picked up a copy last summer at a local used bookstore and it’s been sitting inside my nightstand cubby just waiting to be read. Yesterday, I read the introduction, which made me laugh more than once and be completely intrigued about Anne’s life, this book, and other books she’s written. How have I not read her before this?
is a collection of poetry from the Iranian poet I read about in 
, which 
by Austin Kleon will be a short, motivating kick in the pants, if it’s anything like his book 
. I’m looking forward to this one.
by Elizabeth Alexander was a Christmas present I received a couple of years ago. If I remember her story correctly, she became a poet as a means to work through her grief after her husband’s disappearance and presumed death while out sailing.
by Ali Smith is another book I’ve heard Anne Bogel talk about on her podcast 
by Virginia Woolf is a classic I might’ve read as a teen, but I honestly can’t remember. I purchased the Audible version with Juliet Stevenson narrating.
by Isabelle Allende was another book I picked up last year at a local used bookstore. I heard her interviewed on 
by Daron Kennedy is a book that Alan purchased for me last year when he was at a book convention. It’s different from the categories I usually reach for, which is a good thing. Listening to Pictures at an Exhibition is very helpful to understand some of the references. Anyway, I’m about halfway through and it’s getting to the point where I want to know what happens next. There’s a kid with autism, a psychic who can enter his imaginary world, a missing, possibly murdered teen girl, a witch and other fantasy characters.
by Krishan K. Bedi. I highly recommend this one. First, as a book to motivate and inspire you. Second, to see life through the eyes of another.
and 
, both which I ordered second-hand copies of as soon as I finished listening. 
by that title as well as a life coach who has a training program for other life coaches. In this podcast, Kate talks with Srini about facing our fears and acknowledging they exist, but not letting them run our lives. You need to hear this! I can’t wait to read her book.
Life of Kim 