be kind, unwind 🧵 (help for busy seasons)

Hi Reader, 

It’s officially well into the spring season (for those of us in the northern hemisphere) and for many of us, that means things are getting super busy!

🌟 💪 Sending extra strength to my educator friends, it takes a lot of energy to get through the end of the school year!

I had 3 mostly-written letter possibilities for today, but none of them have fully taken shape yet. Since my allergy-fogged brain is draining my energy lately, I’m going to pivot and write what’s true right now, both because it’s easier for me AND because I want to model that, when you’re lacking in energy, you can do small things to lighten the load a bit.

Checking my calendar, I realized that I have exactly 2 full days off between now and May 27, oops!

I do try to keep this from happening, but with the higher amount of music work I’ve been doing this school year, it’s the nature of this season.

In some ways I’m a little mad at myself for letting my schedule get out of control, but it’s also a choice I made, and a trade off that gives me a lot more freedom and flexibility in the summer!

(P.S. I do have space for new coaching clients starting in June, and some other cool new things coming this summer! 😎)

Even when we do our best to plan a sustainable schedule, sometimes it doesn’t work out that way, but we still have the chance to react in a self-compassionate way. 

For me, that means caring for myself between the busyness, and reacting based on the way that things actually are, not how I wish they were.

This week that looks like:

• Remembering that I can enjoy half days off and make them feel more leisurely, instead of lamenting the lack of a full day off

• Not cramming work into every available space (like, actually resting during the 15 minutes between things) because I “shouldn’t be so tired”
• Having extra treats and snacks on hand (I just used a gift card to get fancy chocolate!)
• Really savoring any alone time (introvert needs!)
• Not using “ugh, I have to…” language when I can help it
• Listening to my inner child when she says she’s mad at me for not having enough fun! (That’s also one of my burnout “pink flags”, so I will take note, before the red flags crop up!)
• Making sure I have time to play or write music for fun / for me every day, even if only for a short time

I also have a few articles to help, if you’ve also backed yourself into a busy-schedule corner:

• 8 Types of Rest Artists Need (along with some prompts to help you diagnose
• How to Replenish Your Creative Energy After A Busy Period (After or during)
• 5 Quick and Easy Actions to Fuel Your Energy Through the Holiday Season (these are good in any stressful season) 

I always say that telling yourself, “I just have to push through until ___, it will get better soon,” is a trap, and it often is, but only if you don’t make different choices in the future.

If you’re feeling burned out at the moment, it might be hard to fully consider big picture goals and aspirations, let alone grasp a reality with a clearer schedule and time for more creative projects, but you can still block off a day in the nearish future for that. 

Guard that space on your calendar fiercely, and make it a fun check-in with yourself!

I'm wishing you clarity, energy, and ease with your creative projects, whether or not you're in a busy season! 💗

If you’re in a busy season right now, what are you doing to unwind and care for yourself in the midst of it? Let’s share ideas!

Stay well, my friends - I'm always rooting for you. My inbox is always open, so please feel free to reach out if I can help in any way. 

I always love hearing from you!

Have a lovely week! ⁠

Rebecca

• Crowdfund Your Show! - [TIME-SENSITIVE] The amazing Laser Webber, who helped me successfully fund my Kickstarter when I released my first album in 2018, is doing a free class tonight (April 24 at 7pm PDT). Even if you can't make it, click through - he has linked to another free YouTube class there on crowdfunding which may be helpful!
• 10 Thoughts on Building A Life You Love - Wise words for creative folks from Courtney Martin.
• The End of the World? We'll Compose It - If you've ever thought, "The world is collapsing, how do I make sense of making art in these times?", these affirming thoughts from Dale Trumbore will probably help!

BAWP is currently on winter break (new spring episodes coming in May!), but I popped in with a new year update: 

• Ep. 71: My 2023 Word of the Year + Reflecting on 2022

I still love the practice of choosing a theme word for the year, to help guide new year intentions and goals. It can be a wonderful filter for what feels intuitively right to do and create, whether in place of or along with more structured planning and goal setting.

In this episode I share about my intentions for my 2022 word PLAY, how it turned out in practice, why I’m excited about my new word for 2023, and some tips for choosing your own word of the year.

Join us in Compassionate Creativity Coworking Club 

(Your first session is free to try!)

Book a free discovery call to learn more about coaching and get a mini-session

Coaching Offerings:

• Rise Above the Overwhelm: laser-focused 1-time sessions

• Creative Season (3 months)