Taking time to refresh, rest and refocus energizes me. It allows me to unwind – to hold space for myself. Not an easy enterprise to carry out in a world that rewards go-go-go. Stepping off the treadmill can be unsettling. However, when I connect with the inner me, I open the door to kindness. I feel valued, safe and loved.
Being “gentle with myself” takes intention and persistence. Intention – given that it requires effort. Persistence because life is a journey not a destination.
In her article “Be Kind to Yourself,” Marianna Pogosyan, Ph.D., explores the concept of self-compassion. She introduces Kristin Neff, a “leading self-compassion researcher.” Dr. Neff “identified three main components of self-compassion: self-kindness, feelings of common humanity, and mindfulness.”
Dr. Kneff and her colleague, Chris Germer, co-founded “the Mindful Self-Compassion training program.” Germer suggests that by reflecting on particular questions, we can move beyond the “fight, flight, freeze” response. We can learn to truly be kind to ourselves. A lesson worth pursuing.
Sabbatical – Walkabout – Itchy Feet
Too often stress and the chaos of life snuffs out self-kindness. Taking time to rest and refocus is widely put off. However, there’s a time-honored tradition in academia that may should move mainstream. The Sabbatical.
A sabbatical is not a vacation. It’s not simply time off. It’s reaching for something distinctive.
The subject is covered by the Harvard Business Review; Research: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals, by Kira Schabram, Matt Bloom, and DJ DiDonna. This article outlines “three different sabbatical types, each with a unique combination of experiences.” All provide “increasingly radical transformations in people’s work and life.”
- Working Holidays – working on a passion project
- Free Dives – wanderlust; abrupt adventure and a soul reset
- Quests – a last resort because continuing on their current path was untenable
For me, it’s time for a working holiday. Reaching for something distinctive – and personal.
So, as Mick “Crocodile Dundee” would say, I’m off on walkabout.
Will this outing be a Michael Cawley? Don’t know. Will simply have to live my way into that future. Bye for now.
“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” ― Marthe Troly-Curtin, Phrynette Married
