Climbing out of the Rabbit Hole

Sabbatical DAY SOMETHING and counting.

Now that I have not been managing client projects for over six weeks, between recovery and working with a brain that is transitioning to what, I know not. I’m trying to figure out how I can enjoy spending time in my office again. For the past couple of years, it has been a drag to be here, and realizing that I’m not who I was when I built my business.

I invested about three hours today writing, filming, and publishing an intro video that'll be accessed via a QR code I’ll be adding to the packaging for myLife planners. As well, I recorded a couple of quick videos showing the insides of both the myWeek and myDay tools. Because the system is unique there is a learning curve/education element I have been aware I need incorporate into my marketing.

I’m meeting with a local retail business on Thursday to discuss getting my products on her shelves, and I want to ensure the planners not only look good but are also explained as simply as possible. You can check out the WIP here.

And after that marathon of creation, I fell into my default digital dopamine distraction mode. I am not active on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Blue Sky, as I have removed them from my iPhone. But the digital dopamine monster rears its head, being okay with anything that provides a scroll. Over the past few months, the game Townscapes and YouTube have been my go-to sources for mythical connections, information, and entertainment. And I am finally aware enough, and I no longer care that the cows are fed. The scroll on YouTube never ends, promising some kind of ‘hit’, and every time I achieve or win a game in Townscapes, another hill calls to be climbed. For the last couple of weeks, I have removed it from both my iPhone and iPad.

I feel like taking a ‘time-out’ that involves sitting with a book and some vibe-style music to read to. A task that I achieved on Saturday. The sun was shining, and on a lark, I perused my bookshelves and came across this gem, “Feeding My Mother” by Jann Arden. Of course, I put on my headphones and listened to Jann’s melodic voice as she shared her experience caring for her parents. I devoured it in less than three hours! And after I felt amazing! It's amazing that I took the energy and focused it on finally completing some gardening I had been avoiding. I have no idea why I was avoiding it, but all the same, I find when I check my list of things to do, I am ALWAYS overwhelmed and it seems I freeze somewhere between wanting to do the thing and then feeling the pull of another task as though it’s yelling louder at me. So instead, I avoid it all and do absolutely nothing, AKA digital disconnection.