Light filters through branches that will soon have spring buds
My husband just called me to tell me that some plum trees were starting to bloom. Seems early – February 13th – but there’s no doubt we had a foreshadowing of spring with unseasonably warm and gloriously beautiful weather just last week. Although the gray and rain have returned, the temperatures are moderate, and I feel us turning toward spring and away from winter. (Yes, I worry that the cold will return in a final winter’s blast, brutally freezing those tender buds. But that is not for me to manage.)
I am taking note of the changes around me today, coming up for air after a work-intense weekend. I was working on a project that intersected with the task of refining materials for Wednesday’s presentation at the University of Washington. This talk was originally cancelled four weeks ago when a snow and ice storm brought the city to a standstill. Four weeks ago—snow and ice; today—budding trees.
I love intense work. I love being so engrossed that the world around me recedes. My husband recognizes the signs: mumbled responses to questions, my lack of awareness of what’s going on, the mealtimes that run late. He goes about his business, knowing that at some point I will look up and wonder where he is (even though he told me he was heading out).
Then I hit a point where I emerge, the work spate done for the time being, and I reenter a different phase. This is the phase where I love doing laundry, where I putter in my house and reconnect with ordinary life. I cook vegetables. I sit with my cat beside me and listen to her snoring in contentment.
I often write of how difficult it can be to rest, but these rest days, after a wonderful crazed time in the work zone, are deeply pleasing. Just as rest notes are part of music, so are rest days part of the rhythms of productivity. This pause, this silence, this gentle inactivity—they have nothing to do with the sloth that can take us over, or the emptiness that plagues a creative block. They are the gift of “afterwards,” a space that balances the work that has been completed and shows respect for all that is routine. Just as the work is important, so are the budding trees. I am free to drain myself with explosive work, knowing that afterwards I will move through small daily tasks and thus restore my body, mind, and spirit.
Questions for Reflection: What rhythms of productivity and rest do you notice in yourself? What do you enjoy about working hard? How do you go about restoring yourself after intense work?
Writing Prompts: “When I work intensely, I ______” (then keep writing); “My typical rhythm for work and rest is ______” (then keep writing); “My favorite way to restore myself after intense work is ______” (then keep writing).
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: atticusuncensors
February 13, 2012 at 7:01 pm
You pulled out the stops with the prose in this one, Judy — beautiful, just beautiful!
I love the line “Just as rest notes are part of music, so are rest days part of the rhythms of productivity”. Being a music lover, I can relate to this — it’s all in the balance. The blank space is just as valuable as the full orchestra.
I don’t really agree though with the gift of rest being an “afterwards”. I’m trying to find balance throughout the day for that “white space”. I’ve discovered a yoga instructor (thru my roku box!) who does these nice little 20 min practices. I find those 20 minutes in the middle of my day is the perfect, restful break. If I wait ’til “afterwards”, I just pass out!
Heidi & Atticus
http://www.atticusuncensored.com
“commentary to give you paws…”
Heidi & Atticus recently posted..Love Is All There Is…
Hi Heidi (and ever-present Atticus), I fully agree about resting “during” rather than just “afterwards.” What I wrote today about “afterwards” was in response to the intensity I experienced over the weekend. Maybe one day I’ll learn to put little rest spots into those wild word drives that I can get into, but this time it was “all work/then all rest”! Thanks for the compliment on the writing. I needed it, I think, to have a more reflective and fluid post. I had no expectation of writing at all, so when I ended up writing it needed to be soothing.
Twitter: atticusuncensors
February 14, 2012 at 6:39 am
Judy — you don’t need confirmation that you are a brilliant writer from a dog!! You string words together in the most amazing ways — I’m always awestruck by your choices. And this post in particular, is written beautifully and seamlessly. Happy love day to you, hubby & Fretta
Heidi & Atticus recently posted..Love Is All There Is…
Needing confirmation is different than appreciating it! (But maybe I needed it a bit too…) {{hugs}} Judy (and the gang)
Twitter: MosaicTutoring
February 14, 2012 at 8:22 am
I loved this post, Judy, thank you for sharing it. Those moments of rest, of just being, are so important and are practiced by too few! We’re all so busy that we forget to stop and rest our bodies and minds. I make sure I take those moments of rest because I know they make the busy times that much more enjoyable and productive.
-Cory Zacker
http://www.mosaictutoring.com
You are ahead of many of us, Cory, if you regularly take rest periods. You are also modeling something important for your son. Thanks for reading!
Twitter: vickidellojoio
February 14, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Beautiful put, Judy, as always. I wrote/spoke about this theme in an earlier vlog about expansion and contraction of energy. I find there are times when the cycles of work adn rest are shorter and other times, like when I’ve been bitten by the muse, where they are longer. Coming home to “earth” and puttering is a fave for me.
Vicki, I remember that post you wrote! Loved it in fact – had I thought about it I could have worked a reference into this blog. I also can relate to the post you did this week about the ways we align our body-mind-spirit. So often we write about similar themes from different vantage points. Writing this post was very grounding for me. That’s not always true about writing (sometimes there’s more struggle), but writing this was part of the release and rest experience.
Twitter: susanberland
February 14, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Mostly I notice work and no rest! I’m getting a little better but have a long way to go. It’s definitely something I have on my list to work on with my coach.
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://susan-berland.com
Susan Berland recently posted..Multitasking
Susan, I laughed when I read your comment because sometimes I have had to put “rest” onto my To Do list!
I so enjoy your writing, Judy, and find myself in awe of the gift you have been given to put words together in such meaningful, yet comfortable, also pictorial and so gentle to read ways! I love the concept of rest after an intense period of concentration, although for me recently it has felt more like ongoing intensity with little rest. So reading about your rest time is so inviting and I am looking forward to that time when I will be able to do that in the way I want to, soon! Just reading about your period of rest was restful to me as I sit here, so thank you!
Donna, Often I struggle with giving myself rest, but this particular day I gave it freely and luxuriated in it. Perhaps that is why writing came to me in such a pleasing way. Glad it was restful to you–you definitely deserve to give yourself rest periods!
Twitter: RowenaStarling
February 14, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Beautifully written Judy. You said it ALL for me. When I can get rest neatly tucked a way that’s how it looks…
also, I notice yours is the only site that makes me type my ID in every time. I think our commenting issue on my site is related to this. …somehow….
Rowena recently posted..Teenagers and Parents re: Dr. Beth by Rowena Starling
Rowena, First, I appreciate your being here and commenting! As for the commenting problem on your site, I think I might have solved it! I signed in a different way, and the post I put up (a re-post) is now staying there. Could you sign into my site using Google or some other sign in? (I’m not even sure what is required, since it automatically recognizes me). Maybe once you sign in that way it will recognize you. But even if you have to sign in each time, the site doesn’t consider you spam, which apparently your site did to me. Happily, I think we may be able to move on now!
Twitter: salvatier
February 14, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Rest. What is that? It seems I haven’t been giving my body what it’s needed. As a result I have a bad cold. But when I do rest, I enjoy reading and sketching randomness. It’s in those moments of being lost in a book or sketch, that some great ideas come to me. Maybe that’s my problem, I’m constantly working even when I’m not.
But your words didn’t fall on deaf ears. This was wonderfully written.
Dennis Salvatier recently posted..7 Phrases Graphic Designers Hate to Hear
Hi Dennis, Even though you sketch during rest, that could still be restful if you truly leave yourself free to enjoy it in the most relaxing way. It really just indicates that you love what you do! (it’s like me writing while resting…) Hope you give yourself the gift of rest enough to restore yourself.
Twitter: ImogenRagone
February 14, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Lovely, lovely post, Judy. It also occurs to me that you are describing a certain rhythm that becomes balance. The total immersion in work being balanced by a re-connection with the mundane – and a joy in those everyday tasks. Wonderful!
Imogen Ragone recently posted..Alexander Technique Therapy?
Absolutely, Imogen! Balancing work intensity with letting go and “reconnecting with the mundane” – well said! So much of life comes down to balance…
Twitter: jenniferpeek
February 15, 2012 at 10:28 am
It is oh so tempting for me to not appreciate or allow myself to rest after the work is done. It usually looks like a deep breath in or perhaps an evening off but not much more. I love how you call them “…the gift of “afterwards,” a space that balances the work that has been completed and shows respect for all that is routine.”
What a wonderful way to look at it, allow space for it and respect it!
Jennifer Peek | Small Business Strategist
Find Your New Groove
The Freedom to Build Your Business Your Way
Jennifer Peek | Find Your New Groove recently posted..Weekly Q+A: Love Your Work, Love Your Business
Jennifer, Here’s to allowing yourself the gift you deserve – the space for rest and the freedom to luxuriate in it. I am sure you’ll get back to the intensity of work in no time.
Twitter: cherylmcdonaldc
February 15, 2012 at 10:46 am
I love the way that you write Judy! Beautifully put. The intensity of focusing on a project and the relaxed renewal when it is finished. I do try to put spaces in between these days and the projects seem to come so close together that there is no time for the afterwards. Giving myself “breathing room” helps to keep me healthy and in balance. We all need to find our own rhythm that works for us. Good luck on your presentation!
Thanks, Cheryl. I’m actually going to be on my way to the presentation shortly, so I’m in “gear up” mode. Hardly the mood when I wrote the post! But that, indeed, is part of the point–there is pleasure in both the intensity and then the relaxation, the creation and then the restoration/renewal. Finding what suits us individually is key. I love your art, by the way, so I know you know the creative, intense mode well!
My reward for long work spurts is having absolutely nothing on my calendar. There are times when the day/weeks are filled with meetings, to-do’s and tasks. And just when I know I’m starting to hit my limit or reach the finish line. I’m sure to clear the calendar to do absolutely whatever strikes me in the moment. Sometimes it’s nothing, sometimes it’s catching up on a TV Show, sometimes it’s a day away somewhere. Other times you’re right it turns into laundry day, doing the dishes and grocery shopping. Amazing how those tasks can seem fun within the context of all that is going on. However when I’m in the work spurt mode, I try hard to mix in a few computer games, music or junk food to keep me going.
When interacting with brides and staring and photos of weddings on a daily basis it’s important to remain grounded and have fun every day to keep the bridezillas away!
Hi Jennifer, Sounds like you really have a great system. Good for you–finding a way to decompress. Dealing with bridezillas can make one build up irritation, I’m sure!
Twitter: ourlittlebooks
February 15, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Wow! I wonder what the universe is trying to tell me. This is the second blog post on ‘resting’ that I read today (actually, the first was a video and Judy I think you will enjoy it, so here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW1pAmBPB7k&feature=youtu.be)
Although your messages are pretty much the same, you say your message with your usual eloquence that I love reading. Thanks as always for your beautiful post.
Candace Davenport
http://www.ourlittlebooks.com ~ Little Books with a Big Message
Candace Davenport recently posted..The Best Ah-Ha Moment on Ways to Repurpose Your Content
Candace, Hope you’ve had a chance to act on the message the universe is sending you! Thanks for the link, which I will follow up on after I finish my work tomorrow
I always appreciate your comments.