What Do You Want More Of In Your Life?
Burnout Recovery: Week 1.
In Tuesday’s newsletter, I mentioned that my weekly threads this month will focus on burnout recovery. Because, if the comments on last week’s newsletter were any indication, many of you are feeling hella burnt out right now.
Today, I want you to think about — and share, if you’re willing — what you want more of in your life. It could be something you used to do and have given up due to time constraints. It could be something you’ve always wanted to try but have never gotten up the courage to. It could be something you have in your life now but in too short supply.
When I reflected on my feelings and desires earlier this month, I realized I wanted more of a few things. I want to cook more, because cooking — and enjoying what I’ve cooked!! — gives me and my family joy. I want to sing more, because I have always loved singing, and twice-a-year karaoke isn’t cutting it. I want to take more walks, because spending time in nature gives me inspiration and ideas.
What do you want more of? And why? Please share in the comments! (And I know, I know — the solution to burnout isn’t just to add more things to our plate. But I do think identifying our wants and needs is an important first step.)
Also! If you’re looking for holiday gifts, may I be so bold as to recommend my book, How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes, for friends or relatives with kids? (Ryan Holiday just recommended it yet again as one of his favorite parenting books.) You can order a personalized copy through my wonderful local independent bookstore, Split Rock Books. Just mention in the order comments what you want me to write and Split Rock will ship the signed copy anywhere in the U.S.!
Here I was signing books at Split Rock earlier this week:
Rest. Actual rest. Time to sit, relax, read a (non-school, non-work) book, sip my coffee or go for a relaxed, non-fitness, walk outside. Really, anything that rejuvenates me. I want to be allowed to rest without thinking about the thousands of other things (grad school, work, kids, mom with dementia, husband, fitness, meal planning, laundry...) I constantly need to attend to. .
I wish I could write fiction! When I was younger (like in highschool), I wrote a ton both by myself and collaboratively on an online forum. I had just started getting back into writing a few years ago, and then I got pregnant at the beginning of 2020 and it just dried up. Now with 2 toddlers, I just haven't been able to get back to it.
I'd also like to be able to go skiing again, and I'd love to have people over more often. I'm finding that so many things don't feel possible when kids are this age (1.5 & 3).