PRESSING PAUSE

I’ve been off the radar for a while now.

I was in a place where I seemed to have nothing new to say, to share or to excite you with. When that happens, it’s just easier not to bother. You procrastinate and become lethargic. Then when the days become weeks, and the weeks become months, panic sets in. The longer I left it, the worse it got, so I just didn’t post. To have nothing to say, when you’re an extravert like me, is not good news.

I now realise I am tired, exhausted even. The effects of COVID, dealing with a serious health issue within my close family, taking on too much new education in a short space of time, organising large events, being part of an International Board, a change in the way I’m used to working and no holiday for over 2 years have all taken their toll. Like for many of us, at times the going’s been tough.

Walking into town, I looked down at my clothes and realised that my wardrobe was giving me a heads up. I hadn’t worn my usual ‘wood’ attire for a while. In fact, jeans, sweaters, cotton, blues, greens and a striped pattern hadn’t attracted my attention in a long, long time. Instead, I’d sought out flowing dark colours, balloon shaped trousers and oversized dresses all worn with thick, chunky boots. Creative clothing.

Talking to a dear friend and colleague, Ellen Schneider (www.arrangetosucceed.com), enabled me to see how I had been living with an excess of ‘doing’ – a wood trait. When you keep on doing, you have no energy left for being, or creating. I was running on empty. The clothing choices had been an attempt to get me back on track. Wood literally soaks up water, the element of creativity, like a plant that is dying of thirst. However, I don’t think I’m quite ready for that creative boost injection just yet. What I really need right now is nourishment and nurturing, the element of earth.

So, I’m keeping my finger on the pause button and getting rid of the goals, should’s and ought to’s. I’ve swapped my meals of vibrantly green salads to grounding and nourishing root veg. Although I adore my strength work at the gym, I feel a need to stretch, to elongate my body, to relax and soothe my frazzled brain. The oversized V neck vest in a yucky brown colour (photo), called me over and I instantly fell in love with it. It has the earthy tones and texture that I need to nurture me at this time. I’m making it my mission to seek out other garments that do the same. I’ll be reporting on my sartorial choices during the rest of the month.

When I first became a presenter, I remember my teacher saying that the pause was one of the most important tools of the trade. It seems it might also be one of the most important tools to help you successfully live your life. I’m taking it slowly, one nurturing outfit at a time.

Tell me:

When do you press your pause?

And

How do you do it?