A couple of years ago, I was sitting in the cafe that I write in every day. I had my computer, a notebook, a book to read. I had my markers. When I tried to think about what to write my chest would tighten. I felt sick.
As I sat there feeling sick and deciding whether or not to force myself to write this blog post. I texted a friend, “Trying to write but feel like the well is dry :S”
We all have moments when the well runs dry. Sometimes it’s our creativity, sometimes our energy runs out, sometimes our love and optimism fizzles away. So what do you do? How do you fill your well?
I think each of us has our own way to fill our wells but I thought I’d share a couple of mine.
Stop asking for output
When my well runs dry, the best thing for me to do is to stop giving. I am, admittedly, a give-a-holic. I give my opinion when it’s not asked, if a friend asks for help it’s difficult for me to say no and when I say I’m going to do something – say write a blog post that gets published every Friday – I have a really hard time not keeping my word.
I write each day over my lunch break. So this afternoon, in the cafe, where I write. I put away my computer and took out the memoir I’m currently reading. I felt deliciously like I was breaking the rules as I read voraciously for the hour that I usually write, I scribbled a few notes in my notebook then returned to the office where I work.
Do what you need to do
Today, even though I would have loved to go home crawl into my bed and read the rest of my memoir, I had to go back to work.
But there were little ways I could make work better. I busted out my laptop and sat on the couch in the common space instead of at my desk. And other than the two meetings that I had booked – I worked on the projects I wanted to work on. Then when I got home, I took a bath and made yummy and nourishing food for myself. I watched half an episode of Grace and Frankie and now, at 9:56 pm I’m finally opening up my laptop to write.
Be gentle with yourself
Yes – I wish I was superhuman. I wish I never stayed up late, never slept in, never watched t.v., never ate takeout and was always full of creativity, but I’m not. And beating myself about it doesn’t fill me up either. Baths, laughter, naps, dance parties, walks in the forest, lying in the grass do.
So do what you need to do. And fill yourself up.
Do you want to:
- Fill yourself up consistently?
- Stop feeling so drained?
- Have more time for what you love?
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Take care of yourself!!
Bryn
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Bryn Bamber
Career Burnout Coach
The Courage Compass
bryn@couragecompass.org
