Creature Comforts N°16

Okay, here goes. The truth? I haven’t been journaling much this week. I haven’t had the time. It happens. Want to know what the hell I’ve been up to? I’ll share more about my personal life in May’s Secret Garden (dropping May 7).

I’ve heard some motivational speakers and life coaches try to invalidate the idea that we don’t have enough time. "You have to make the time,” they exclaim passionately. There are probably good intentions shrouded in there somewhere, right behind the privilege and judgment.

Yeah, you definitely do have to make time to reach your goals and pursue the projects you feel passionate about. Even in doing so, unexpected things will still spring up from the freshly warmed soil of Springtime. No matter what your goals are or what your hopes and dreams entail, you always have a right to take a breather.

Though it’s totally counter-intuitive to my inner workaholic modus operandi (ahem, Capricorn Rising for those who believe), taking a pause from projects usually leads to a more potent success. Everyone needs breaks. Even the girl who obsessively writes about keeping a journal takes a break from keeping a journal. People take breaks. More importantly, I think that people need breaks.

Thanks to social media and the tendency to post our highlight reels there, it’s rare to see someone admit that they fell off the wagon. I’m happy to inform you that this isn’t social media. This is a letter from my heart to yours, and in it, I’m confessing. I didn’t journal this week. Did you? All answers are acceptable.

Thank you for being here ♥︎ I’ll talk to you next Sunday!

XX,
CZ

• Reflect: Look at your journal, wink at it, and tell it, “Not today, kid, not today.” Then proceed not to write it in today. Everyone deserves a guiltless day off, but not everyone gives themselves permission. If you respond better to external validation, consider this your permission slip. Alternatively, write about how weird my ideas are. Plenty to unpack.

• Check-In: Is there anything you’re sick of striving for? Are there any goals or aspirations that, even though they may be exciting, are currently exhausting you? What would happen if you took a week, a day, or even an hour off? Are you tempted?

• Expand: Look at a map to see what’s within a 50 to 100-mile radius of you. Anything you’ve never noticed before? Any old favorites? Pick something. If you have the time, pencil in a little excursion. If not, jot down your findings in your journal.

Thanks so much for reading! Want to connect more? Find me on Instagram, TikTok, and Bookshop. If you enjoy Secret Librairie, please share this newsletter with a friend. I appreciate you deeply. Thank you for being here!

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