First of all, really pause. Let Japan come into you. It is a fascinating place. Go to temples – not the noisy ones, but the quiet out-of-the-way ones where you contemplate the meaning of life. Stay in a traditional Japanese inn, where you sleep on a tatami and get the warmest welcome ever (and, if possible, take a gift to your hosts). Eat in restaurants intended for the Japanese, not hotel restaurants. You may not even know what you are eating, but it will be delicious. You will never forget it.
Happy travels and pause time, Debbie! You deserve it all, my friend! Love you’re with family and having a brand new adventure, how wonderful is that! Love and hugs! 🥰🤗
Oh, yes, a pause is what we all need from time to time. It sounds like this is the perfect time for you take a pause. What an exciting trip and special family time this will be.
I am taking a pause until January, too. Don't even have a set date for coming back yet. I had a blog for years and always felt guilty for pausing, and when I did, I felt like I had to tell readers when I was going to take a pause, and for how long, as if they couldn't possibly get along without me for awhile. Ridiculous, really. I no longer feel guilty about taking breaks, but I do still mention when I plan to step away.
Love this. I will be taking a pause too and enjoying my time with family as we travel to Panama. I’ve been wondering myself whether to say I’m taking the pause or not and why, but you’re right, we should not have to explain it. In my case, I’ve done this a few times a year, and it really helps me to reset and get clear on priorities.
How lovely, Debbie! I am also taking the end of the year off with no apologies. It's important to rest to keep ourselves vital. Enjoy your travels, they sound exciting.
Recovering from hip replacement surgery has enforced a more-or-less pause and has also taught me patience. For me, the two are very related. Enjoy Japan!
Learn a few phrases from a dictionary or guidebook. Japanese people really appreciate you speaking the niceties of their language. Pronunciation is logical. They have a similar grammar to French. And fewer sounds than English. Subarashi! (Wonderful!), nay! (Yes!)
I’ve been taking time to pause during the holiday season for a long time. I started when I did The Artist’s Way book starting at Thanksgiving in the early 2000s. I have done something similar almost every year since. I call it “year end rejuvenation.”
Love that your notion of 'pause' is a whirlwind trip... to Japan. If this is your version of timeout, I can only imagine what your 'time on' looks like, Debbie!
My version of pause will be curling up in the corner of a little barn in Somerset, with a cup of tea (or a good glass of an ageing wine), a blanket and reading novels and watching movies.
And like so many Substackers, I do love looking back and digesting the year that has flowed fast between my often-typing fingers. It's amazing what happened in 2024 all over the world, and in my world, and how much I have already forgotten.
The holidays is my chance to grab at the fast-disappearing remnants of time and clasp them to my heart for a last hug before I let them sail off on the large barge of my forgetfulness.
Well done, you! Enjoy the turn of the year and your time in Japan.
My pauses used to be hard stops forced by some adverse health event. I have been learning to push the pause button of my own free will and it is a wonderful, powerful thing.
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i8Z0!,w_80,h_80,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdaaca764-d8d6-4a1b-bf58-61dbb72810fc_842x842.png)
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![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i8Z0!,w_36,h_36,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdaaca764-d8d6-4a1b-bf58-61dbb72810fc_842x842.png)
First of all, really pause. Let Japan come into you. It is a fascinating place. Go to temples – not the noisy ones, but the quiet out-of-the-way ones where you contemplate the meaning of life. Stay in a traditional Japanese inn, where you sleep on a tatami and get the warmest welcome ever (and, if possible, take a gift to your hosts). Eat in restaurants intended for the Japanese, not hotel restaurants. You may not even know what you are eating, but it will be delicious. You will never forget it.
We had sushi for lunch today in a tiny restaurant where we were the only “Westerners” — fun!
I hope you two are having a splendid time! I want to hear all about Naoshima.
Happy travels and happy holidays!
Never apologize for taking a break and, frankly, no explanation necessary:)
Say hi to Jeffrey for me. I would love to meet him in Tokyo. And kudos to you for setting a good example. Have a restorative and inspiring time.
see pic of Jeffrey at bottom of this post; we had a lovely visit and very interesting!
Happy travels and Happy Holidays, Debbie. Look forward to the next 'Island Women Speak' in late January.
Am sure you will love Japan. I particularly enjoyed Kyoto including the rock gardens and back alleys. Warm regards, Teresa
Have a wonderful break Debbie. Japan! Happy sigh. (No I haven’t been there, but everyone I know who has, has fallen in love with it. Enjoy!)
Enjoy the break!
Happy travels and pause time, Debbie! You deserve it all, my friend! Love you’re with family and having a brand new adventure, how wonderful is that! Love and hugs! 🥰🤗
Hi Debbie,
Oh, yes, a pause is what we all need from time to time. It sounds like this is the perfect time for you take a pause. What an exciting trip and special family time this will be.
I am taking a pause until January, too. Don't even have a set date for coming back yet. I had a blog for years and always felt guilty for pausing, and when I did, I felt like I had to tell readers when I was going to take a pause, and for how long, as if they couldn't possibly get along without me for awhile. Ridiculous, really. I no longer feel guilty about taking breaks, but I do still mention when I plan to step away.
Enjoy your pause. We'll be here.
Love this. I will be taking a pause too and enjoying my time with family as we travel to Panama. I’ve been wondering myself whether to say I’m taking the pause or not and why, but you’re right, we should not have to explain it. In my case, I’ve done this a few times a year, and it really helps me to reset and get clear on priorities.
Enjoy your holidays and your children!! All the best!
How lovely, Debbie! I am also taking the end of the year off with no apologies. It's important to rest to keep ourselves vital. Enjoy your travels, they sound exciting.
Recovering from hip replacement surgery has enforced a more-or-less pause and has also taught me patience. For me, the two are very related. Enjoy Japan!
Learn a few phrases from a dictionary or guidebook. Japanese people really appreciate you speaking the niceties of their language. Pronunciation is logical. They have a similar grammar to French. And fewer sounds than English. Subarashi! (Wonderful!), nay! (Yes!)
Shantee Maggie Baker
Castine
Watashi wa Tōkyō ga daisukidesu
I’ve been taking time to pause during the holiday season for a long time. I started when I did The Artist’s Way book starting at Thanksgiving in the early 2000s. I have done something similar almost every year since. I call it “year end rejuvenation.”
Love that your notion of 'pause' is a whirlwind trip... to Japan. If this is your version of timeout, I can only imagine what your 'time on' looks like, Debbie!
My version of pause will be curling up in the corner of a little barn in Somerset, with a cup of tea (or a good glass of an ageing wine), a blanket and reading novels and watching movies.
And like so many Substackers, I do love looking back and digesting the year that has flowed fast between my often-typing fingers. It's amazing what happened in 2024 all over the world, and in my world, and how much I have already forgotten.
The holidays is my chance to grab at the fast-disappearing remnants of time and clasp them to my heart for a last hug before I let them sail off on the large barge of my forgetfulness.
Avivah, so well said! Check for a Substack direct message from me. And have added you here: https://debbieweil.substack.com/p/bold-ladies-who-write
Well done, you! Enjoy the turn of the year and your time in Japan.
My pauses used to be hard stops forced by some adverse health event. I have been learning to push the pause button of my own free will and it is a wonderful, powerful thing.