2016 Review Part 4 of 8

The above is an accurate representation of how most of my tea breaks looked. 

When you work for yourself, and you are a creative artist who has lots of ideas she wants to bring into the world, and you are a recovering perfectionist, and you have autoimmune health issues that can manifest with fatigue, anxiety, and depression, plus just some legitimate fatigue, anxiety, and depression, you quickly learn you have to take breaks.

I suck at taking breaks. I'd still only give myself a D or maybe a C. I tend to still multi-task during breaks. I tend to still be thinking about the past or the future. But I am hanging in there. I may get beat up by all of the above, as well as some good old resistance and fear, but after taking some time out, I eventually get back in there. 

Living a creative brave life in the arena is messy. I am messy. I easily overwhelm myself with too much input and too many projects. So this year has been about learning to enjoy the process and to take breaks and trust that a little bit over time will end up with something. I have to breathe and  rest in between and embrace the messiness, otherwise I would burn out. 

I dove deep into the practices that are helping me to find rest, and peace and stillness. That means the spirit and art of tea, breathing meditation, restorative yoga, personal art journaling, and Sabbath practice. 

These things allow me to dare greatly and take on and produce great work, instead of not doing something or doing it quickly because I couldn't tolerate the chaos that goes into creating masterpieces.

This is the song that starts my Sabbath practice, a time when I put down the things pulling on me, and allow myself the space to connect with my creator and family and myself. To fill up for the next round. I hope it encourages you.

Slow me down oh Lord slow me down
Help my heart to hear Your sound
Speak into my life Lord speak now
Slow me down oh Lord slow me down

Clear my mind oh Lord clear my mind
Bring me peace that I cannot find
Take my worldly thoughts break my pride
Clear my mind oh Lord clear my mind

Wake my soul oh Lord wake my soul
With this mess I’ve made make me whole
Of this life called mine take control
Wake my soul oh Lord wake my soul
​-Slow Me Down by Robbie Seay Band

Stay tuned for Part 5 next week!

In case you missed it:
Part 1 of 2016 Review
Part 2 of 2016 Review 
​Part 3 of 2016 Review

If you want to know more about why I'm doing an annual review, and especially why I'm sharing it, read my recent blog post about it thanks to Cynthia Morris.