Being More by Doing Less
I’m officially in week 2 of what I’ve deemed my Super Soul Summer — a 3-month kickstart into claiming joy as the central feature of my life. Visions of listless days in nature — some alone and some with my 3-year-old son, traveling, healthy meals, exercise, reflecting, and writing came to mind. My soul has been hungry for this. (More on that later). It needs this time and I’m grateful to have it.
Yet, in my quest to make the most of this experience, somehow the listlessness of my intended nature time has transformed into self-created full-blown expectations for a formalized summer project. I’ve accidentally created expectations for myself to be productive and to create something out of this experience for others vs. just myself.
It’s the enterprising energy in me wanting to “capitalize” on this time and record it, categorize, share, and somehow be rewarded for it through outside validation from others.
Given how this original self-care nature-filled summer has quickly transformed into a productivity-required project- I am already feeling guilt about not having done enough. As the last week, I have been focused on cleaning, clearing, and cleansing our physical space. I feel like I’m already “behind” on my Super Soul Summer. I haven’t done any of the things I thought I would.
Yes, that’s right. I now feel behind on my listless summer in nature. Oh, the irony.
It’s really a blessing this is happening as THIS is the exact lesson I need at this very moment in time.
I’ve almost habitually let my thinking get ahead of my experience. I’ve let my unconscious need to produce override my potential joy in feeling. I also still have an unconscious desire to be seen by others that’s driven me away from quiet time and has slipped into a mindset of needing to do more.
Yet, the entire point of this summer is to DO LESS. And to find peace and worthiness in doing less. To feel whole not from action, but from being.
Because I am not defined by what I do. I am not defined by what I produce, accomplish, or am known for. I am not defined by what others say. I am not defined by what others think. I just am, and that is enough. The same is true for you too. All of us. Sadly, 99% of what surrounds us in this world makes us believe otherwise.
So for now I am dropping the guilt. I’m dropping the expectations. I’m dropping the lists. I’m leaning into what I’m drawn to. Letting each morning be my guide. Listening to what I feel called to do and doing it. If that’s in nature, great. If that’s cleaning my closet. Then that’s okay too.
Fewer expectations. More being. That’s a Super Soul Summer.
