Summer Break: A Permission Slip

Photo by Quinn Corte. Floating down the French Broad River, 2020.

Hi loves!

The Retreat Space is taking an unplanned summer break. Isn’t that nice?

I didn’t know we were going to do this, but somewhere between losing my job, Month 3 of the pandemic, and George Floyd’s horrific murder, I just…lost steam. I don’t need to tell any of you that this has been a really hard time.

Here’s the amazing thing about this summer break: I just took it.

That’s right—when I felt depleted, I allowed myself to STOP. I listened to my inner rhythms. Instead of my usual soldiering on, I stopped before I burned out. It was revolutionary. When thoughts of *should* came in (“I should keep going,” “I just started—I shouldn’t take a break,” “I should get it together”), I tried to steer myself back to compassion (“It’s OK that I can’t keep going,” “This is a really hard time,” “I need some rest.”).

Here’s the other amazing thing. Everyone understands. My collaborators were incredibly kind and often felt they needed a break too. 2020 is asking us all to slow down, reevaluate priorities, and take care of each other.

My summer of unemployment has been a combination of activism, learning, playing outside, reading, crying, mask-wearing, connecting with loved ones, and making the tough financial decision to move in August.

I hope that me taking an unplanned summer break will inspire you to be kinder to yourself. Even if you are desperately in need of a break and unable to take one, can you ask for help? Can you look for small kindnesses you can offer yourself, both inside and out? How can you make things a little easier?

Consider this a permission slip to do less. Take care of yourself—-however that looks—and take care of each other. No judgement. Remember that you can sign your own permission slip anytime, for anything you need.

Let’s raise a glass to breaking destructive patterns and step off this torture treadmill together!

The Retreat Space remains an important part of who I want to be in the world. I can’t wait to offer more juicy healing, fun, and togetherness, when and how it feels right. xoxo