Giving yourself permission to 'do nothing'

As I am returning from a long summer break. I am reflecting on the past two months, and I wanted to share how I experienced this period of 'doing nothing' as a new business owner. It turned out to be an opportunity to grow my own mindfulness through this new role I've taken on. New pathways always bring forth new challenges. Which is great! This is how we learn and grow!

I probably don't have to tell you that running a business is a demanding endeavor. The drive to succeed can make it incredibly challenging to step away, even momentarily. Most of us also know, that integrating mindfulness and intentional breaks into our routine isn't just a luxury; it’s a necessity for sustainable success and personal well-being.

At first glance, taking breaks might seem counterproductive—an interruption in the relentless pursuit of goals. However, the benefits of incorporating regular breaks are substantial. Breaks enhance creativity, improve decision-making, and boost overall productivity. Despite these benefits, allowing yourself to take a break can be incredibly hard, especially when the demands seem never-ending. There’s a pervasive fear that stepping away will lead to missed opportunities or a decline in performance. The pressure to be constantly available and responsive can make taking breaks feel like a betrayal of your commitment and drive.

What helped me tremendously in taking a break, was to journey far away from my every day life. I traveled to a cabin in the Canadian woods, surrounded by nature with a terrible internet connection (HA!). I had brought my computer to 'do some work at dull moments'. It took some active practice to stay in the moment, enjoy my family time and trusting that everything would work out upon my return but, after a few days, I was able to accept the idea of 'doing nothing' and reached for my sketchbook instead of my laptop. Then, I finally allowed myself to read a novel, just for the sake of reading a fun story (WHOA)! The laptop remained in the bag... Looking back, I'm giving myself a pat on the back for that! Of course we don't always have the opportunity to travel far into the woods to get away from it all. But let's remember that even short breaks are helpful. Being mindful about stepping away and being kind to yourself about it (allow yourself to read that book!) is where it all begins.

As my kids went back to school this week, I am slowly picking up my business activities with renewed excitement. I am looking forward to a new season of challenges, creativity and new connections. Stay tuned as I am working on our fall workshop schedule and finishing our online store!

Marlies