A Fallow Time

Well, there is time left --
fields everywhere invite you into them.

And who will care, who will chide you if you wander away
from wherever you are, to look for your soul?

—Mary Oliver, from “Have You Ever Tried to Enter the Long Black Branches?”

Happy New Year!

I spent much of last year traveling and talking about the value of time — that it’s our most valuable currency, and how we choose to spend it is one of the few things that really matters.

As this year begins, I’m reevaluating how I want to spend my time. After a big year of creative output, I find myself on the edge of burnout. So instead of rushing right back into the mix and making hasty choices about what to do next, I’m going to take a break from as many responsibilities as possible in service of real rest. This means: reading, writing, and creating only for pleasure; not scheduling any more appearances or work travel; and spending as much time outside as I can. It also means taking a break from this newsletter for the time being.

In the meantime, we’ll pause all paid subscriptions so no one will be charged.

I’m so grateful for everyone who’s joined us on this newsletter journey over the last year, and I hope you’ll stick around. I also hope you’re able to give yourselves the grace you need in the midst of neverending busyness and turmoil, too. Who knows what will come of this fallow period? I don’t, but I can’t wait to find out.

With love and respect,

Samin