Welcome to this tiny corner of the internet where an off-duty psychotherapist keeps the conversation going on how to make sense of this life thing we’re all doing. If you ever wondered what your therapist does off the clock—which, who among us hasn’t?—this is like that. Think of it as the adult equivalent of seeing your elementary school teacher at the grocery store picking out lemons.
I have been very thinking very seriously about taking a sabbatical sometime in the next year. Human beings evolved to have seasons, but I feel like modern life is one constant season of overwhelm.
Yes. I love this for you. My sister worked at a place that offered sabbaticals (!!!) and gosh if that isn't the way it needs to be RN with the pace of life. I'd love a world where we don't need a sabbatical from our lives, but we're not there...yet. :)
Ohhh I feel this deeply. Thinking about taking august off myself, you may have inspired me to say yes to the whispers 👏🏼
I’m also exploring how to honor the rest while fulfilling my need to be creative…I’ve found such joy in taking my 35mm camera out, it’s the only thing making me super inspired lately, and maybe that’s ok💛
I hope you do take what you need in August 💕❤️💕 I’ve been thinking a lot about a note you posted recently and unlearning some of these messages about how we need to be and how much ourselves to give. I’m really harnessing that energy to challenge these notions.
That is so fun about your camera! Come to think of it, my husband got me a very nice camera a few years ago and I haven’t used it once since my son was born. 🤔
I appreciate you saying so. It’s helping me release some of the shame around it knowing how many of us are in this place. —I also have wheels turning about how and what could change so that so many of us weren’t here.
Yes to summer hibernations, I felt that right as summer hit and had a few weeks where I slowed way down. I admire you for honoring yourself and sharing it with us, it is so important to rest and take creative breaks, and regular breaks in general. We need it, I am right there with you.
I’m so glad you’re with me on summer hibernations. Little bears resting in the summer 🐻 —to the extent that any mother can I suppose. Thank you for sharing that you’re in it too.
Rest up and expand your definition of creativity. Creative ideas do not grow out of nowhere. If you take time of writing so you can walk, sleep, read, think and get organized - you are slowing down so you can speed up. You got this and we love you.
I try to remind myself that everything is creative practice- writing, but also walking the dog, doing the dishes, and- especially- resting. I think of it like breathing. I have to inhale- take things in, nourish myself, before I can exhale and produce creative work. It’s hard! I’ve found that building in breaks helps- I’ve been working so hard all summer, but I’m taking ten days off in August and going away to someplace relaxing. Having that touch point helps, just knowing there is a break ahead of me, helps me keep the creative wheels turning in the meantime.
“everything is creative practice” wow. Thank you for this. I was just talking with my husband last night, that I think part of this feeling is grieving how summers felt (or how I remember them feeling) as a kid. Long days felt spaciousness not oppressive. And now part of that may be needing to be more intentional of taking those relaxing breaks and going to a restorative place.
YES! I love this...take all the rest you need! I've been feeling the same way lately re: Substack b/c I'm going through a big life change (a move) and I just don't have the capacity right now. I feel kind of bad about it, but then I think of other people on here who I follow and whenever they say they want to take a break, I feel like they SHOULD...this is supposed to bring us joy and if it's tiring us out for a bit, then it's ok to take a little break! Of course, it's hard to say this to OURSELVES so I hope we can give ourselves the same courtesy and grace! I totally encourage this for you. 💗
I so feel you on this. Anytime I see those posts, I’m like HELL YES, but as you said, it’s so hard to do for ourselves. I hope you take some rest for yourself, too. Even the littlest bit I’ve taken has felt huge.
I feel the push/pull every weekend. There’s so much I want to create, but my brain is so tired after big training days. I trust my body always. It will guide me to the perfect time to create and the perfect time to share—and also the perfect time to stare at the ceiling.
I’ve decided to blame it on long summer days that are exhausting and the latest full moon that peaked yesterday for the scattered thoughts and unfinished drafts lately 😅 you’re not alone!
Your piece (which everyone needs to read RN—called “clogs”) was the exact moment I decided to let go. So thank you for that. And your framing of summer has helped me realize how big a part of that is to what I’m feeling right now.
I'm proud of you for listening to your body. Just saying that out loud and bringing it here is inspiring. Rest up!!
It can be hard for me to trust the part of the process that involves rest, but I think it's one of the most important parts of the creative process (as much as I don't enjoy it). I've noticed the quicker I give in to surrender, the quicker I tend to come back ready to create.
🥹🥹 thank you for saying that. I wish I didn’t need that encouragement as much as I do but in this culture, I have to surrender to how can I not need it.
I relate to what you’re saying about the quicker we let go, the less drastic the rest needs to be. This feels so true for me too. The longer I wrestle with myself over this, understandably, the more wiped out I am.
I'm glad you said it. I think sometimes we hold back saying it for that very reason. Society hasn't been the kindest to us when we're "not productive." Whatever that even means.
So important to honour the creative pauses. They are essential. I’m in a space where I have lots of ideas and creativity bubbling within me but also just not quite there with the actually desire to bring it to form… yet. I’ve learned to trust these ‘in between’ gaps as they always lead me to a deeper connection to my writing. I think summer is such a rest season despite there being a lot more going on. Rest well xxx
I can already feel what you’re saying by having said these words out loud. I was sitting outside this morning on a yoga block and could feel deeper breaths than I’ve felt in a long time ❤️ Thank you for the validation. It means more than I can say.
When I want to create, but don't have the energy, I usually plan what I want to focus on when I do have the energy. I'll take notes, jot down ideas, revisit old works, and offer myself plenty of grace in between.
The world is heavy right now, exhausting us all in more ways than we can see. I have also decided to continue to take a break away from my work, and I am not sure when I will return to it. It all feels exhausting in this moment. I am wishing you plenty of rest. ❤️
You're so right. I can forget about the more macro level impacts our tender souls. Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective here. It's such a good reminder.
I have been very thinking very seriously about taking a sabbatical sometime in the next year. Human beings evolved to have seasons, but I feel like modern life is one constant season of overwhelm.
Yes. I love this for you. My sister worked at a place that offered sabbaticals (!!!) and gosh if that isn't the way it needs to be RN with the pace of life. I'd love a world where we don't need a sabbatical from our lives, but we're not there...yet. :)
Ohhh I feel this deeply. Thinking about taking august off myself, you may have inspired me to say yes to the whispers 👏🏼
I’m also exploring how to honor the rest while fulfilling my need to be creative…I’ve found such joy in taking my 35mm camera out, it’s the only thing making me super inspired lately, and maybe that’s ok💛
I hope you do take what you need in August 💕❤️💕 I’ve been thinking a lot about a note you posted recently and unlearning some of these messages about how we need to be and how much ourselves to give. I’m really harnessing that energy to challenge these notions.
That is so fun about your camera! Come to think of it, my husband got me a very nice camera a few years ago and I haven’t used it once since my son was born. 🤔
You’re definitely not alone. I’m hearing this need for pause from many of us, myself included.
Looking forward to the conference with you ❤️
I appreciate you saying so. It’s helping me release some of the shame around it knowing how many of us are in this place. —I also have wheels turning about how and what could change so that so many of us weren’t here.
Yes to summer hibernations, I felt that right as summer hit and had a few weeks where I slowed way down. I admire you for honoring yourself and sharing it with us, it is so important to rest and take creative breaks, and regular breaks in general. We need it, I am right there with you.
I’m so glad you’re with me on summer hibernations. Little bears resting in the summer 🐻 —to the extent that any mother can I suppose. Thank you for sharing that you’re in it too.
Yes, to the extent any mother can! You are so welcome.
Rest up and expand your definition of creativity. Creative ideas do not grow out of nowhere. If you take time of writing so you can walk, sleep, read, think and get organized - you are slowing down so you can speed up. You got this and we love you.
I love you. Thank you. 💕❤️💕
I try to remind myself that everything is creative practice- writing, but also walking the dog, doing the dishes, and- especially- resting. I think of it like breathing. I have to inhale- take things in, nourish myself, before I can exhale and produce creative work. It’s hard! I’ve found that building in breaks helps- I’ve been working so hard all summer, but I’m taking ten days off in August and going away to someplace relaxing. Having that touch point helps, just knowing there is a break ahead of me, helps me keep the creative wheels turning in the meantime.
“everything is creative practice” wow. Thank you for this. I was just talking with my husband last night, that I think part of this feeling is grieving how summers felt (or how I remember them feeling) as a kid. Long days felt spaciousness not oppressive. And now part of that may be needing to be more intentional of taking those relaxing breaks and going to a restorative place.
YES! I love this...take all the rest you need! I've been feeling the same way lately re: Substack b/c I'm going through a big life change (a move) and I just don't have the capacity right now. I feel kind of bad about it, but then I think of other people on here who I follow and whenever they say they want to take a break, I feel like they SHOULD...this is supposed to bring us joy and if it's tiring us out for a bit, then it's ok to take a little break! Of course, it's hard to say this to OURSELVES so I hope we can give ourselves the same courtesy and grace! I totally encourage this for you. 💗
I so feel you on this. Anytime I see those posts, I’m like HELL YES, but as you said, it’s so hard to do for ourselves. I hope you take some rest for yourself, too. Even the littlest bit I’ve taken has felt huge.
I feel the push/pull every weekend. There’s so much I want to create, but my brain is so tired after big training days. I trust my body always. It will guide me to the perfect time to create and the perfect time to share—and also the perfect time to stare at the ceiling.
This is so right. (Me repeating) “My body knows”
I’ve decided to blame it on long summer days that are exhausting and the latest full moon that peaked yesterday for the scattered thoughts and unfinished drafts lately 😅 you’re not alone!
Your piece (which everyone needs to read RN—called “clogs”) was the exact moment I decided to let go. So thank you for that. And your framing of summer has helped me realize how big a part of that is to what I’m feeling right now.
Get all the rest you want and need, Kaitlyn ❤️
Thank you 🥹🥹
I'm proud of you for listening to your body. Just saying that out loud and bringing it here is inspiring. Rest up!!
It can be hard for me to trust the part of the process that involves rest, but I think it's one of the most important parts of the creative process (as much as I don't enjoy it). I've noticed the quicker I give in to surrender, the quicker I tend to come back ready to create.
🥹🥹 thank you for saying that. I wish I didn’t need that encouragement as much as I do but in this culture, I have to surrender to how can I not need it.
I relate to what you’re saying about the quicker we let go, the less drastic the rest needs to be. This feels so true for me too. The longer I wrestle with myself over this, understandably, the more wiped out I am.
I'm glad you said it. I think sometimes we hold back saying it for that very reason. Society hasn't been the kindest to us when we're "not productive." Whatever that even means.
I'm right there with you, Kaitlyn 🫶🥹
So important to honour the creative pauses. They are essential. I’m in a space where I have lots of ideas and creativity bubbling within me but also just not quite there with the actually desire to bring it to form… yet. I’ve learned to trust these ‘in between’ gaps as they always lead me to a deeper connection to my writing. I think summer is such a rest season despite there being a lot more going on. Rest well xxx
I can already feel what you’re saying by having said these words out loud. I was sitting outside this morning on a yoga block and could feel deeper breaths than I’ve felt in a long time ❤️ Thank you for the validation. It means more than I can say.
Ahhh... the body speaks it's gratitude. xx
Rest up friend! Look forward to whatever it is you have up your sleeve when you’re fully rested and restored and ready to share! 🩵
Thank you, love. Just putting this out there and saying it has created spaciousness❤️
When I want to create, but don't have the energy, I usually plan what I want to focus on when I do have the energy. I'll take notes, jot down ideas, revisit old works, and offer myself plenty of grace in between.
I really like this. It has a lot of hopefulness in it. “When I have the energy…” thank you for sharing!!
Kaitlyn, you share with us so much of your deep self each week! There’s no shame in needing a rest from that.
The way you framed that here helped me give myself even more grace--thank you <3
The world is heavy right now, exhausting us all in more ways than we can see. I have also decided to continue to take a break away from my work, and I am not sure when I will return to it. It all feels exhausting in this moment. I am wishing you plenty of rest. ❤️
You're so right. I can forget about the more macro level impacts our tender souls. Thank you for reading and sharing your perspective here. It's such a good reminder.