I don’t even know where to begin except YES!! And I’m so jealous. (But in an “I’m inspired to inquire deeper whether I can actually do this” way)
The past several years I’ve taken a delicious 2 weeks off over solstice and new years, and in the past three that has included an email & media-free weeklong artist retreat (stay home, solo, nothing fancy). BUT, come Jan 5 or so I’ve always had to get back in the g**d*** f***ing saddle for work. Mind you, I’m an independent contractor, but if I have wanted to keep my most prized client, I have to have the time-sensitive availability of an employee at times.
Anyway, all that is to say that each year it gets harder and harder and harder to do January on those terms. I have this wonderful, rebalancing, clarifying, restful retreat, and then I have to throw it all out the window and scramble (sometimes working the hardest month or few of my entire year) back to my j.o.b. My rest is disturbed, my art suffers, and I feel totally out of whack with what my soul (and The World!) are asking…
Anyway, thanks for reading – I wrote that mostly just to get it out of my own system and seek clarity moving forward. You’ve definitely stirred me towards inquiring how I might better serve this soul need (that grows and grows each year). I appreciate knowing that you too are working class AND make it work. Thank you for sharing your journey ~ it’s nice to know another who is willing to make the right choices (and sacrifices) on the path of soul…..
Well THIS is why we all need to create webs of support and community...and, dare I say, communal living....so we can actually tag team each other's deep and unequivocal need to dismount annually. Since I have the great pleasure and honor of knowing you (at least a little ;) ) I can attest to how truly critical it is for you soul and spirit to have regular sojourns into the quiet and wild World of all Worlds. We won't get your beauty-Siren if that doesn't happen. I do hope my own clumsy sabbatical workings can inspire you to find the way through to yours. Adding that to my morning prayers! xoxo
p.s. Not clumsy at all!!!!! I mean, I know how the soul journey can feel like that on the inside – but I am absolutely sure you are flowing deep and strong in the right river…
Exactly this. I am living *deep* with this question (quest!) right now of how to create and nurture this communal web in my life. I have hit a lonesome lull on the quest this winter though, so it is heartening to hear you speak to it. And yes, I’m all for communal living in the right form for this time and place.* In fact, I crave it deeply. I don’t thrive in our individualistic culture ~ far from it.
I so resonate with taking some time "off saddle" to be still and reconfigure! Like you, around winter solstice I feel a deep pull to withdraw from my [Germanic] productivity and incubate, and get away from clients and into image, poetry, contemplation, and rest. This essay was very affirming on so many levels, thank you for "dismounting" and taking the time to write and share about it!
Thank you Christiane. Your writing always inspires me and lately it's also been showing me form in the formless shapes my life has had in recent years. I've had faith as I've walked alongside one well-saddled life, and faith as I've dived, but it's been well shaky at times and your words of late really help with understanding what I've been up to. I'm deeply grateful.
It's an act of faith and courage to allow the formless to form us. So, so contrary to how we're told it should happen. Perhaps YOU are why this particular essay poured out of me last night. xoxo
I don’t even know where to begin except YES!! And I’m so jealous. (But in an “I’m inspired to inquire deeper whether I can actually do this” way)
The past several years I’ve taken a delicious 2 weeks off over solstice and new years, and in the past three that has included an email & media-free weeklong artist retreat (stay home, solo, nothing fancy). BUT, come Jan 5 or so I’ve always had to get back in the g**d*** f***ing saddle for work. Mind you, I’m an independent contractor, but if I have wanted to keep my most prized client, I have to have the time-sensitive availability of an employee at times.
Anyway, all that is to say that each year it gets harder and harder and harder to do January on those terms. I have this wonderful, rebalancing, clarifying, restful retreat, and then I have to throw it all out the window and scramble (sometimes working the hardest month or few of my entire year) back to my j.o.b. My rest is disturbed, my art suffers, and I feel totally out of whack with what my soul (and The World!) are asking…
Anyway, thanks for reading – I wrote that mostly just to get it out of my own system and seek clarity moving forward. You’ve definitely stirred me towards inquiring how I might better serve this soul need (that grows and grows each year). I appreciate knowing that you too are working class AND make it work. Thank you for sharing your journey ~ it’s nice to know another who is willing to make the right choices (and sacrifices) on the path of soul…..
(p.s. did I mention I’m TIRED?! 🥺 )
Well THIS is why we all need to create webs of support and community...and, dare I say, communal living....so we can actually tag team each other's deep and unequivocal need to dismount annually. Since I have the great pleasure and honor of knowing you (at least a little ;) ) I can attest to how truly critical it is for you soul and spirit to have regular sojourns into the quiet and wild World of all Worlds. We won't get your beauty-Siren if that doesn't happen. I do hope my own clumsy sabbatical workings can inspire you to find the way through to yours. Adding that to my morning prayers! xoxo
p.s. Not clumsy at all!!!!! I mean, I know how the soul journey can feel like that on the inside – but I am absolutely sure you are flowing deep and strong in the right river…
Exactly this. I am living *deep* with this question (quest!) right now of how to create and nurture this communal web in my life. I have hit a lonesome lull on the quest this winter though, so it is heartening to hear you speak to it. And yes, I’m all for communal living in the right form for this time and place.* In fact, I crave it deeply. I don’t thrive in our individualistic culture ~ far from it.
I so resonate with taking some time "off saddle" to be still and reconfigure! Like you, around winter solstice I feel a deep pull to withdraw from my [Germanic] productivity and incubate, and get away from clients and into image, poetry, contemplation, and rest. This essay was very affirming on so many levels, thank you for "dismounting" and taking the time to write and share about it!
Ah yes..."image poetry and contemplation"...thank you, sister Queen in the dismount.
Thank you Christiane. Your writing always inspires me and lately it's also been showing me form in the formless shapes my life has had in recent years. I've had faith as I've walked alongside one well-saddled life, and faith as I've dived, but it's been well shaky at times and your words of late really help with understanding what I've been up to. I'm deeply grateful.
It's an act of faith and courage to allow the formless to form us. So, so contrary to how we're told it should happen. Perhaps YOU are why this particular essay poured out of me last night. xoxo