I’ve just come back from two extraordinary weeks away on tiny tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. Substack just had to be pushed to one side while I was away. I needed to focus fully on that wonderful opportunity.
I hope you’re really immersing yourself in your break and enjoying it (and your dear husband) immensely. Take care, have fun and we’ll catch up with you when time and ability permits. Hugs dear Debbie. All the best.
I've been meaning to go back and comment on this. Debbie, I am so FOR your pause. I've been feeling the edges of burnout, too, and I love when other writers give me permission to as "is it too much this week? How can I show up, and where?" Sometimes the attention needs to shift, and knowing when that needs to happen is such wisdom. Thank you for modeling it.
thank you Isabel! it’s the beginning of week two and I’m already feeling stronger — or should I say more courageous! more willing to take risks and *not* worrying so much about each new post. I want to write “in the moment” and have more fun with it.
I totally understand. I had to take a break from my MailerLite
newsletter in Oct. 2023. I went from weekly to monthly and also took a break from writing my novel. After a few weeks off I felt inspired to create again. And I stayed home! Your vacation in France will sweep you into the present and you’ll leave inspired! 💛
Take all the time you need! Truly, I understand this SO much! I call it spending time on the 'Existential Highway' lol. I am no stranger to dread, either. For me, it is helpful to have a bit of a routine - I even create a loose outline every day - so that there is not too much time allotted to [potential] random anxiety. I now don't do *any* one thing, ALL day for example. There has to be time for tea/coffee outside, reading something meaningful, taking time to "sift" and maybe buying myself a wee treat. Very simple but again, for me usually effective. (I've only been retired a few years btw). I know you can find the balance you seek Debbie on your wonderful-sounding trip! xo
Wishing a beautiful trip, Debbie! I hope you savour it!
I struggle with pressing pause but have daily, non-negotiable practices that support doing so: yoga, meditation, meals eaten slowly in silence and solitude, and reading fiction before bed.
This happened to me. I started a blog- loved it. But then I found myself thinking about it 24/7. Driven. I was so driven. And being retired I’d had enough of being driven. And so, I let it go. I gained some insights into my nature. And realized it wasn’t just the job, back in the day, that wore me out.
This hit home. Every day now I wake up with the overload of things I can't seem to even get to, because there are so many pulling on me—my two podcast classes, my unfinished memoir-in-essays, figuring out how on earth to make my old website work, dealing with house construction, fighting with the power company in Maine, piles of papers everywhere, the digitizing decades of photos, slides, cassettes, videos, etc. The in-basket of computer (indeed whole computer) is so stuffed I can't find anything anymore. Everyone I know seems to now have a substack they want me to subscribe to, and I already have so many subscriptions to so many aps that hundreds of dollars for things I have no time to read or watch flood out each month. None of this is sustainable! Too much noise on every front. I too have not been present with my husband because of this overwhelm, and haven't even called my grandson in weeks. I want to pull the plug...
If I’m pushing myself too hard, I might reflect and ask myself (ahem.. my ego) who is it that I imagine will care enough to be miffed? Or to abandon me? Or whatever the fear is. Then I’ll chuckle, shake myself back to reality and gently say something like ‘the hardest part might be if they don’t notice at all’.🤭
I so appreciate you sharing your vulnerabilities around pressing pause! What a lesson to learn! Like so many of us, it takes a dam break of overwhelm to reset my Accomplish button!
Although I’ve “retired”, balancing my insatiable desire for world travel with the increasing care needs of a mother with dementia (as her only child) often leaves me paralyzed with guilt and exhaustion!
I so enjoy reading your blogs but understand the pause.✈️❤️🌏
Hi Debbie, what a great question! Well done paying attention to that inner knower...
I took some time the other day to listen to the Season 5 wrap up on your podcast and was moved by your comments about the sudden loss of your mom last year, I believe. Things like that take time to process and we Westerners are terrible at giving ourselves permission to grieve and mourn. ((Now I sound like a counselor; forgive me!))
Since you asked.....After 12 years writing online and the release of two new books in the span of 2 1/2 years my own work is pivoting, thanks to conversations with writing friends and of course the W@W cohort.
I'm challenged daily to be reminded to slow down and stay in the moment, keeping my feet grounded in one place. I spent time with a spiritual director yesterday who also asked some great questions and reminded me to pay attention to where I'm at right now. I'm also paying attention to what keeps showing up in my poetry. God has more deep work to do in my life.
Well done. I’m off recharging my batteries at the moment on an amazing tropical island in the Indian Ocean doing heaps of amazing nature-related things with a group of like-minded individuals. Substack got totally ignored for a few days. There’s way too much going on here.
Please never feel like you have to write heaps for us. Some of my favourite Substacks only update occasionally. I’d much rather read something from the heart every month or two than waste your time and mine trying to get something out just because you have to. I have set a limit on what I read and read what I can when I can. Please enjoy yourself in this space. And even moreso, please enjoy yourself in Paris!! How wonderful! Hugs dear Debbie. All the best.
Well, Debbie, since you're the boss of this place you get to make the rules! By all means, take a break whenever you need to. Maybe let us know so we won't worry, but please don't feel guilty when you do. That's the beauty of owning your own newsletter--you rule IT, it doesn't rule you.
No deadlines, no bosses. Just you.
I'm doing the same, as I'm moving in two weeks and it's becoming overwhelming. I've written about it at Constant Commoner and today I'll write something at Writer Everlasting.
We can't do it all, we need to set priorities, and only we know what they are. Everyone else will just have to understand!
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb939748d-5d80-4d0f-867c-2ed252ac633c_1344x256.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/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%2Fdb1d7636-a0e5-44ef-846d-a6df558eff16_1280x1280.png)
I’ve just come back from two extraordinary weeks away on tiny tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. Substack just had to be pushed to one side while I was away. I needed to focus fully on that wonderful opportunity.
I hope you’re really immersing yourself in your break and enjoying it (and your dear husband) immensely. Take care, have fun and we’ll catch up with you when time and ability permits. Hugs dear Debbie. All the best.
I've been meaning to go back and comment on this. Debbie, I am so FOR your pause. I've been feeling the edges of burnout, too, and I love when other writers give me permission to as "is it too much this week? How can I show up, and where?" Sometimes the attention needs to shift, and knowing when that needs to happen is such wisdom. Thank you for modeling it.
thank you Isabel! it’s the beginning of week two and I’m already feeling stronger — or should I say more courageous! more willing to take risks and *not* worrying so much about each new post. I want to write “in the moment” and have more fun with it.
Debbie, have a great trip. Thank you for writing about this. I have also been torn and feel the need to pause as well. Enjoy and relax.
I know I should give myself permission to press pause… and sometimes I do. More often I find some workaround or just “soldier on”. 💖
I totally understand. I had to take a break from my MailerLite
newsletter in Oct. 2023. I went from weekly to monthly and also took a break from writing my novel. After a few weeks off I felt inspired to create again. And I stayed home! Your vacation in France will sweep you into the present and you’ll leave inspired! 💛
Being bold is understanding your need to pause.
Look after you.
Take all the time you need! Truly, I understand this SO much! I call it spending time on the 'Existential Highway' lol. I am no stranger to dread, either. For me, it is helpful to have a bit of a routine - I even create a loose outline every day - so that there is not too much time allotted to [potential] random anxiety. I now don't do *any* one thing, ALL day for example. There has to be time for tea/coffee outside, reading something meaningful, taking time to "sift" and maybe buying myself a wee treat. Very simple but again, for me usually effective. (I've only been retired a few years btw). I know you can find the balance you seek Debbie on your wonderful-sounding trip! xo
Wishing a beautiful trip, Debbie! I hope you savour it!
I struggle with pressing pause but have daily, non-negotiable practices that support doing so: yoga, meditation, meals eaten slowly in silence and solitude, and reading fiction before bed.
Thank you for this, Debbie. I too have a hard time hitting "pause" and am inspired by your decision.
This happened to me. I started a blog- loved it. But then I found myself thinking about it 24/7. Driven. I was so driven. And being retired I’d had enough of being driven. And so, I let it go. I gained some insights into my nature. And realized it wasn’t just the job, back in the day, that wore me out.
This hit home. Every day now I wake up with the overload of things I can't seem to even get to, because there are so many pulling on me—my two podcast classes, my unfinished memoir-in-essays, figuring out how on earth to make my old website work, dealing with house construction, fighting with the power company in Maine, piles of papers everywhere, the digitizing decades of photos, slides, cassettes, videos, etc. The in-basket of computer (indeed whole computer) is so stuffed I can't find anything anymore. Everyone I know seems to now have a substack they want me to subscribe to, and I already have so many subscriptions to so many aps that hundreds of dollars for things I have no time to read or watch flood out each month. None of this is sustainable! Too much noise on every front. I too have not been present with my husband because of this overwhelm, and haven't even called my grandson in weeks. I want to pull the plug...
Glad you made the difficult choice.
If I’m pushing myself too hard, I might reflect and ask myself (ahem.. my ego) who is it that I imagine will care enough to be miffed? Or to abandon me? Or whatever the fear is. Then I’ll chuckle, shake myself back to reality and gently say something like ‘the hardest part might be if they don’t notice at all’.🤭
Hello Debbie,
I so appreciate you sharing your vulnerabilities around pressing pause! What a lesson to learn! Like so many of us, it takes a dam break of overwhelm to reset my Accomplish button!
Although I’ve “retired”, balancing my insatiable desire for world travel with the increasing care needs of a mother with dementia (as her only child) often leaves me paralyzed with guilt and exhaustion!
I so enjoy reading your blogs but understand the pause.✈️❤️🌏
Hi Debbie, what a great question! Well done paying attention to that inner knower...
I took some time the other day to listen to the Season 5 wrap up on your podcast and was moved by your comments about the sudden loss of your mom last year, I believe. Things like that take time to process and we Westerners are terrible at giving ourselves permission to grieve and mourn. ((Now I sound like a counselor; forgive me!))
Since you asked.....After 12 years writing online and the release of two new books in the span of 2 1/2 years my own work is pivoting, thanks to conversations with writing friends and of course the W@W cohort.
I'm challenged daily to be reminded to slow down and stay in the moment, keeping my feet grounded in one place. I spent time with a spiritual director yesterday who also asked some great questions and reminded me to pay attention to where I'm at right now. I'm also paying attention to what keeps showing up in my poetry. God has more deep work to do in my life.
((waves awkwardly)).
Well done. I’m off recharging my batteries at the moment on an amazing tropical island in the Indian Ocean doing heaps of amazing nature-related things with a group of like-minded individuals. Substack got totally ignored for a few days. There’s way too much going on here.
Please never feel like you have to write heaps for us. Some of my favourite Substacks only update occasionally. I’d much rather read something from the heart every month or two than waste your time and mine trying to get something out just because you have to. I have set a limit on what I read and read what I can when I can. Please enjoy yourself in this space. And even moreso, please enjoy yourself in Paris!! How wonderful! Hugs dear Debbie. All the best.
Exactly so! I feel just the same as you Beth.
Well, Debbie, since you're the boss of this place you get to make the rules! By all means, take a break whenever you need to. Maybe let us know so we won't worry, but please don't feel guilty when you do. That's the beauty of owning your own newsletter--you rule IT, it doesn't rule you.
No deadlines, no bosses. Just you.
I'm doing the same, as I'm moving in two weeks and it's becoming overwhelming. I've written about it at Constant Commoner and today I'll write something at Writer Everlasting.
We can't do it all, we need to set priorities, and only we know what they are. Everyone else will just have to understand!
And they will... ❤️