Calm in a time of chaos.
Ok, so here’s the thing: this week, my blog is “late.” The question I had to ask myself, though was: late by whose standards?
My weekly blog has a deadline for delivery on Tuesday mornings at 8:15am Central time. This is a self-imposed deadline that I created a long time ago to a) deliver to my readers consistently, and b) hold myself accountable in accordance with my goals and mission.
But here’s the thing about deadlines and life, sometimes they need to be modified and flexible.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling the chaos in the world lately. From deaths, to anger, to frustration and fear, I’ve been picking up on most everything like a giant satellite dish. This is nothing new for me. It’s one of my gifts, and I am grateful for it. However, there are times (like now) when it gets wonky and a bit out of control. My barometers remind me that something is out of whack, and I need to take a step back.
So, this week, that meant that I sort of stepped away from everything, including my blog. And… I thought about it and realized that this was ok.
As we head into a traditionally busy season, I think this is an important message for me to share: it’s ok.
It’s ok to take a step back.
It’s ok to not do something you were meaning to do.
It’s ok to say no.
It’s ok to take time for yourself.
It’s ok to choose something different.
Typically, the holidays are a time when we overbook, overcommit, overindulge, and overtire ourselves. Why? Because we feel a sense of obligation, or we have a desire or are inspired, to do more. “More” often results in feelings of chaos.
So, this week, I’m here to say that chaos is the end result of chronic misalignment over an extended period of time. And it’s ok to put on the brakes, take stock, and choose something different. If that means the pies are store bought, that’s great. I mean, it’s pie! It’s all good! If that means the presents have stick-on bows, also cool. Again… presents! It’s all good.
It also means that if you need to take 5 (or 35) minutes for yourself and do absolutely nothing, that’s ok too. And if a deadline happens to fly by, and it’s not life-threatening, it’s ok. It’s always ok.
Finding the calm in the midst of chaos is about giving yourself permission to make a different decision.