It’s the last day of July. And I have to admit, it’s a little depressing to me. I’m not usually one to mourn the loss of time, but I’m feeling a little unnerved about this. Time has been absolutely flying for me lately – way too quickly in fact. A few months ago I decided to start blogging, something I’ve been wanting to do for myself and take a stab at for quite some time. I must say, it started AWESOME. I’ve had some interesting topics I wanted to explore. I was religiously posting my latest blog on a weekly basis. I have been getting some great feedback and comments (and even from people I don’t know or am related to!). So far, this has been such a great experience – one that I have been enjoying more than I ever thought I would. And then recently, I started getting a few random, “Hey, when are we going to see your next post?” questions. So, here I am on the last day of July to see right here – in black and white and in plain sight – that I only made ONE other post this month. Huh? Didn’t I JUST post about evil e-mails or feeling like burnt toast? I’ve had NO idea where time has been going lately. So what’s going on?
I’ve given this some careful consideration and I “blame” 2 factors: the beach and starting a new business. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. But does one hold more weight than the other? Does it even matter? And will you guys give me a pass for being a slacker?
I live less than 10 minutes from the beach. And when you count the beach as your happy place like I do – and summer also seems like a fleeting moment – you take as much advantage of both as you can. Even if it’s just for a 2 hour visit on a Sunday morning, I find my beach time to be pure “me” time. Sure, parking can be a pain, it can get a little crowded depending on the time of day, and there can be the occasional jerk sitting next to me. But, despite some of these nuisances – once I get there, put in the earbuds, close my eyes and feel that sun – it really is pure joy for me. I sit, relax a little, collect my thoughts and often find the clarity I’m seeking at times. Even on an especially warm day, I can return home feeling more refreshed than ever.
My beach time has been even more cherished lately – especially since I decided to finally take that leap and start my own business. Having my own business is something I can remember wanting since I was a child. I remember answering the “what do you want to be one day” question by responding, “I don’t know, but I know I want to have my own business”. I even continued to respond similarly in my adulthood. Well, here I am. Crazy as it may seem to many people (and even to myself some days), I am officially here. I have learned more than I thought I ever would since doing this – and have grown in more ways imaginable (and not even in the physical sense – I actually lost a few pounds, probably from not having time to stuff my pie hole as much).
So what do you guys think? Is the beach or the business more responsible for my lack of blogging lately? Does it even matter? Will you give me a pass for slacking? My first thought is that it doesn’t matter and you will give me a pass. Unfortunately sometimes things will take a back seat as other things steal their position (if even temporarily) on the priority list. It’s very easy for that to happen. In fact, it’s impossible to avoid. The struggle (with the juggle) is real. And so is the guilt we’ve built in trying to make excuses for why we haven’t gotten to everything on that never ending to do list (wow, I think I just came up with 2 more future post subjects. SCORE!).
My second thought is this – why do I feel like I have to make excuses for going to the beach? I feel that the beach has been crucial to the business. That may seem nuts (and lame) at a first read, but think about it. In all the craziness of a new business, the beach has not only been a much needed, brief respite. But has also been my conference room, so to speak – the best one I could have – for brainstorming and keeping my thoughts and plans in check. Shouldn’t we all find a place for ourselves sometimes to re-group and refresh a little? And why do we feel like we have to make excuses for doing so?
Most often – we are our own worst enemy. I’m not suggesting that we avoid our responsibilities. I’m just suggesting that we give ourselves a break sometimes. We are all entitled to it and deserve some “me” time. And that goes for all those mommies out there too. Yeah, you heard me right – and YES, you CAN. Whether it be brainstorming on the beach sometimes or blogging (like me), getting lost in a good book (or a trashy gossip rag), taking a little cat nap during the day, watching a great movie (or that awful one you’re too embarrassed to admit to anyone you’ve watched – and possibly more than once), going for a run, taking an extra-long shower (and actually locking the door when you’re in the bathroom) or singing your favorite songs in the car while you’re out running errands – we all deserve some time ALONE to just come down and take a breath. It’s when we allow ourselves to do so – and often during that little bit of “me” time that we find the strength and resolve to face all those other projects (like maybe a new business) that we are working at.
My third and final thought is this – that quite possibly, many of my loyal followers asking about when they’d see my next post may not even see this post on this last day of July for reasons similar to why I haven’t posted as frequently. Maybe you didn’t start a business like I did. But I hope you too are enjoying the lazy days of summer. And while you are – be proud of who you are, how far you’ve come and all you’ve accomplished. You wouldn’t have gotten there if you didn’t have the beach to blame.