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Alex Van Tol's avatar

First off, I really love that drawing assignment you did for Wendy Mac. Wow. The final result is arresting.

And now to your question. My life is very very quiet by design. I’ve been on a quest since 2020--when my days were a wall-to-wall crush of interviews, writing, networking, caring for kids, a lover--to make it boringer and boringer, and after three years it finally feels like I can breathe again. I hike every day at PKOLS Mt Doug. I read. I work. I make supper. I watch no TV and I listen to no podcasts. I sleep. I read at least one entry in 365 Tao: Daily Meditations every day. I brush my teeth. I journal. I lift dumbbells. It is plain, and it is a neverending delight.

If life does start to click along faster in the coming months, I have created a phrase that, when I do periodically find myself rushing, is very useful to calm me back down: “Everything that needs to be done will get done. I have plenty of time.”

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Nikki Tate's avatar

A quiet quest... love it :) I was reading something yesterday - a very prolific writer saying he didn't watch any TV and that's how he managed to write a bunch of books... I don't watch much either - which does leave me at a bit of a loss when it comes to contributing to conversations relating to latest and greatest Netflix series. BUT, that's a lot of hours available for other stuff.

I love the mantra, "Everything that needs to be done will get done. I have plenty of time." Though, with each year that goes past and each person I know who shuffles off this mortal coil, the idea of 'plenty of time' feels a little less plentiful...

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Sara Cassidy's avatar

Reminds me of Julian of Norwich’s “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well"

As for A’s quote, I believe it is true — there is a lot of time. So much.

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Sara Cassidy's avatar

Oh, yes. I relate to this. Boring is fertile.

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Alison Acheson's avatar

Ah, the Tao and the words about undone. Yes.

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Kathleen Pointen's avatar

Your article resonates with me.

The most helpful thing I do when I’m overwhelmed is to make lists. I categorize them and check them off when I’m done. Somehow, seeing my tasks in print, in some kind of order, gives me a way through the chaos.

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Nikki Tate's avatar

oh yes - I should have put lists on my list :) I'm a huge list-maker as well.

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Mariah Friend's avatar

Isn’t it funny how collective themes show up and resonate individually? I like your point about this compulsion to share all the restful things we’re doing which sort of defeats the purpose 😂.

Things that help me cope with overwhelm:

Definitely taking a nap and prioritizing sleep.

Soaking in the bath

Sitting outside or going on a hike

Calling a friend or one of my sisters to vent

Cooking a meal/baking

Jealous of your beautiful views and so glad you’re taking time for yourself. 🥰

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Sara Cassidy's avatar

I would not be, without my sisters and friends. Cooking works but I forget how wonderful it is until I am in the thick of doing it. Sleep! Yes.

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Sara Cassidy's avatar

Love that drowning image so much. I will look for the Pity Party memoir. As always, this piece is rich with ideas and energy. 20 minutes by water — great prescription! As for your question re dealing with overwhelm, I am pretty good at cramming things into drawers, which I then shut. :)

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