Lessons From My Blogging Break: So What’s the Hurry?

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Lessons From My Blogging Break: So What’s the Hurry?

Posted by Kathleen Pooler/@kathypooler

Lessons From My Blogging Break: So What’s the Hurry?

After I submitted my memoir manuscript to a small publisher back in August, I decided to step back and take a break from my daily routine. I felt maxed-out from concentrating on my story of being the mother of an alcoholic son and surviving cancer. I didn’t know if I would lose my momentum but I knew that I needed to pause and regroup after the long haul of reliving and writing my story which I started writing in 2000.

I became acutely aware of the ever present sense that everyone was in a hurry—meet this deadline, finish this project, get to that appointment on time, keep up with the onslaught of breaking news every day. Get it all done and don’t tarry.

In the midst of all this, my energy waned and increased dialysis became necessary due to declining kidney function. I felt desperate to seek solutions and decided to get an evaluation at another transplant center.

Life Happens…

On October 31, I went for an evaluation for a kidney transplant in a nearby town. The doctor was honest and compassionate and expressed his concern that a transplant may not make me better due to my underlying health issues. On November 5, I received the call I was not a candidate for a transplant. Not the news I wanted to hear but I understand it is in my best interest. I survived Stage Four Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1996 and it’s probably a miracle that I’m still here at all so I do try to keep it all in perspective. For the time being the peritoneal dialysis continues to work but I’m currently exploring options with my clinic nurse and doctor which may include home hemodialysis at some point. I have to accept that dialysis in some form will be a lifelong treatment.

Back to the drawing board…

A Grieving Process..

Sometimes, we keep ourselves in a rush to avoid the feelings of sadness or grief. Slowing down has helped me to face the grieving process. My level of physical function has restricted me in doing the things I want to be able to do. I am grieving this loss of function and wellness as I work on dealing with this disappointment and accepting the limitations.

Recalibrating…

It’s time to reestablish some balance in my life. Accept the limitations while still remaining hopeful for better days. Remain realistic without being pessimistic and stay optimistic without being in denial. That can get tricky.

Photo Credit: Free Google Images

My manuscript will surface when it’s ready but for the time being, I’m not in a hurry. It’s been a conscious effort to downshift and adapt a slower pace. When we cram every moment with events and activities, we don’t have room to experience the moment in a meaningful way.

I’m back and ready to move forward.

Here are a few lessons on how to slow down that I learned on my blogging break:

Take the long view: will any of this matter a year from now, five years from now?
Make more room for the important things in my life, i.e, family time
Don’t try to do everything all at once.
Schedule in plenty of unscheduled time. Give myself permission to do nothing.
Simplify—my schedule, activities.
Slow down and be present in the moment.
Rely on my faith in God to give me strength and hope.

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I’d like to thank my good friend Janet Givens who recently sent me this quote:

“In the end, only three things matter. How fully you have lived. How deeply you have loved. How well you have learned to let go of things not meant for you.” ~ Gautuma Buddha

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So what’s your hurry?

Our time on Earth is so limited. Let’s enjoy what we have while we have it.