Unplugging From Productivity – Some Reflections
During the months of July and August, I unplugged from my usual schedule of teaching and mentoring. Time was more spacious, as I opened myself to adventure, spontaneity and relaxation. It’s taken me a while to find the words to summarize “what I learned” on this 2024 summer break. When it was time to prepare my September Insight post – that was a month ago – the words had not arrived yet. But now, in early October, I can finally describe some of my experiences to you.
I often felt like I was “in between” times. At the beginning of July, I entered a week of meditation on Galiano Island, with a keen awareness that I’ll be entering a 3 ½ month retreat in mid-October. I envisioned my time like a “fun sandwich”, with meditation on either side. The greedy part of my nature wanted to squeeze every “fun-in-the-sun” and “climb-every-mountain” moment out of each day. The rest of me wasn’t so inclined, and I ended up learning to embrace the concept of “Time Well Wasted”.
I have a lot of inner messaging about being productive; a sense that I have always had to earn the right to be here. Our culture is full of productivity messages as well. So perhaps the afternoons I spent on the couch, relaxing, reading, disengaged from anything remotely productive, were those revolutionary actions Elizabeth Gilbert talks about. I spent the summer becoming a relaxed woman. Revolutionary indeed.
Did I have judgments about myself as I hung out on the couch? You bet I did! The voices sounded something like this: “I should be writing and working on my essays.” “I could enter a writing contest. Better get started.” “I could be using this time for meditation. I would probably be enlightened by now if I did.” “I need to go away somewhere. Everyone I know on Facebook is off having adventures.” Instead, I chose to stay home and follow my own rhythms, rather than push myself into another project, another activity. Not only did I unplug from my usual schedule, I unplugged from productivity, refusing to listen to the voices telling me what I “should” be doing, when my body was screaming, “I don’t want to!”
Rest May be Productive
Perhaps I was moving toward enlightenment when I was in the middle of a multi-day event – not a meditation retreat – and I realized I was already full. Full of stimulation, interaction, new ideas, and new people. So, I chose to leave one day early, listening to my need for quiet and self-acceptance, rather than forcing myself to continue interacting with a large group of strangers, receiving more teachings. The “should” voices were loud, and I had the strength to listen to what I needed. Was there inner critic chatter about my decision to leave? You bet there was! And I kept saying to myself, “I made a great choice”, because it was true.
I have noticed that after attending a meditation retreat, I return with increased confidence. This summer, that confidence manifested as doing less. That is probably exactly what I needed. I’m not very good at recognizing when I need to rest. When I asked Lama Mark – our meditation teacher – how best to prepare for the 3-month retreat, he replied, “Go on a vacation. Come in well rested.” My body has its own wisdom and is already slowing down.
So, this month my 100-day retreat begins. From October 15 – January 31, 2025, I will be offline, going deeper into what I expect to be a profound inner practice. I have done my best to ensure that my existing writing clients are supported while I am away, and I plan to resume my business in February 2025 with an online series, Four Foundations of Strong Writing. I also anticipate offering my entry-level program, Step Into Your Story, during March – April 2025. This is a great way for you to experience the power of writing and sharing together in one of our writing circles.
For those of you who have been wondering, my husband’s health has been relatively stable these past few months, and that reality makes it possible for me to take this time away from home. I know that in my absence he will be well looked after, the way my writing clientele will be well looked after by my business team.
You will continue to receive my monthly newsletters while I’m on retreat, and my business team will respond to any requests or inquiries while I’m offline. I suspect that I will return with renewed confidence and commitment to continue nurturing my personal writing goals while supporting writers just like you. In the meantime, I invite you to take a moment, pause and reflect on what is good and strong in your life, your relationships, and surroundings. This human life is precious.
marie
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1 thought on “Unplugging From Productivity – Some Reflections”
Love this message. It so resonated with parts of my August, where the call was to rest despite the critic’s screams to the contrary.
You continue to inspire me, Marie.
Taste every bit of the sweet nectar that awaits in the silence.