Quieting the Noise, 2.1.25


 A few months ago, I experienced a wake up call. It wasn't anything extraordinary. I think it was happening slowly, for some time. But by mid October, early November, clarity arrived and I knew I was ready for a shift in my life. For the past eight years, I've been busy. Busyness helped me cope with a lot of things happening that were out of my control- mainly loss. Lots of it. Staying busy helped keep my mind focused on something other than the pain I was experiencing. And, so began, the healing period. Over the past 8 years, in addition to working full time, I have gone through 2 intense yoga training programs, countless continuing education workshops, 3 Reiki trainings, started a business teaching art and yoga and offering Reiki sessions. We moved from our 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, finished basement home to an RV. Then, from the RV into a barely 1,000 square foot home with an unfinished basement that we completely remodeled, including finishing the basement, to serve as my yoga studio. I began a newsletter, a new blog, a new Substack account, changed the name of my business and blog several times and tried to produce content on Facebook and Instagram on a regular basis in order to grow my business. And, of course, I was also trying to be the best wife, mom, and Bibi (grandma) that I could be. Yeah. I was busy. 

Busy does not equate to happy, though. Yes, my mind was occupied, I was learning new things and I loved what I was doing, but it was just too much. Three consecutive floods in the yoga studio led to some much needed down time, giving me the chance to reassess. I began to really listen to that voice inside of me. That voice that I can only hear when I quiet the world around me. By journaling (a lot), I realized what my goals were at this stage of my life. I decided to retire from my public school art teaching position (which begins May 22nd), I let go of teaching yoga in my home studio, I no longer offer Reiki sessions, I no longer offer art classes in the studio, I let go of my former two blogs and newsletter, and hoping to gradually let go of Facebook and Instagram (a decision that seems more urgent since the election). 

 

I am now enjoying my own, personal yoga and Reiki practice, creating videos when inspired to do so,  and getting back to making my own art. It feels good to get back to blogging (which I'm glad is making a comeback), spending quality time with my kids and grand kids and taking care of my new muse- my Shihpoo puppy named Benjamin. This feels right. I'm happy.

What could you eliminate from your life to quiet the noise? If you don't know where to start, I highly suggest journaling in the third person. It's a great way to force you to look at yourself objectively- from the outside, in. When you do this, you are less likely to be so hard on yourself. Try it! 


Be Good. Do Good.

~Juli

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