I was off from my day job this past week, on what was (luckily) just intended to be a staycation, not a jet-setting vacation… because as it turns out, I was in various stages of sickness the entire time. And early on I had to let go of what I had imagined, and hoped, this staycation would be and what I would accomplish.
Most of my ails have cleared up now, though I still have a stuffy ear from a raging ear infection. I have five days of antibiotics left, and I’m hoping it is resolved by the time I’m done with them. It’s mostly annoying (with barely any pain), and makes me grateful for how it normally feels.
While I dialed back my planned activities and was mostly laying low this week, I came to terms with the fact that I’m failing miserably at taking it easy this summer. And also with the fact that I have said a bazillion times that I need to cut back on all the goals and have yet to actually do that. Instead I pile on so much at the start of each month and am super optimistic that this time I’ll do everything. But you never know when something is going to knock you down… in a small way or a big way. That’s not to say we shouldn’t try to achieve our goals. But sometimes it’s okay to just try less.
Letting Go, A Little
So what does letting go look like right now?
Last week on the blog I shared my August goals HERE, and on Wednesday I outlined Project 180 (if you missed it, you can read it HERE). In Wednesday’s post, I said I wasn’t going to add to my pile but just refocus on the goals I already had set, the ones that were most important for moving the needle forward in the areas I want to overhaul.
This past week, I mulled it over and culled back even more, really thinking about what was taking away from my time and energy and wasn’t as important. Instead, what would be critical to focus on moving forward? What would set me up for success for my goals next year, and beyond?
(Also, I need to let go of alliteration… I LOVE it, but it makes me really rigid.)
I considered reattempting The Artist’s Way (again), but it was a lot, especially with the other things that I wanted to do even more. And was I really blocked anymore? Did I need it? No, I decided. But I wanted to hold on to the practice of Morning Pages… or did I? Well, I do… but I’m going to let them go right now. I’ll come back to them eventually, maybe. Exercising in the morning is more important. And spending some time on the blog every day. And not feeling rushed as I get ready for work.
I had also wanted to do an anatomy unit in my art course curriculum this month (see, alliteration— wait, there’s more). But I’m also working on an altered book (that’s the more)… and I can’t do both. Or at least not with any solid attention. So I’m letting go of the anatomy drawing goal. I’ll do it another time… maybe next year… I’m really enjoying my junk journal/collage exploration and I’d rather focus my art attention on the altered book this month.
I thought I wanted to delve into fiber arts this fall… but maybe I’ll do it next fall (more alliteration!) because instead I want to take the Laura Horn Mark Making course bundle I purchased last month, and maybe practice hand lettering again. All in an effort to improve my skills that I can use for art/junk journaling. Shocking, I know…
I still have a lot of goals I’m holding on to, but maybe more loosely. If the September goals review comes and I’m complaining about how much I didn’t achieve, I give you permission to yell at me. Wish me luck!
Are you good at letting go?
Photo by Weichao Deng on Unsplash