This year, more than usual, I am desperate for spring’s arrival.
A cluster of personal and professional situations has really sent me into a tailspin in recent weeks. It has been impossible to bounce back easily and quickly as I normally do. The hours spent working and worrying are seriously disproportionate to time spent having fun. I am rarely reading these days and writing has come to a full stop. Even recognizing the possibility that what I’m experiencing right now may be helpful to a future character, there is no energy for writing daily pages.
Each changing of the seasons has its own beauty and promise but the longer daylight and warming temperatures of early March have me yearning for the rejuvenation that comes with spring. Any March storms happening at this point will be blessedly brief and cannot dampen the anticipation of early spring blooms and the greening of our surroundings.
This current mindset is situational, therefore temporary, and as the crises ebb, my usual coping capacity will be restored. The challenge is to reduce worrying about that which is out of my control and trust that issues will be resolved for better or worse but the outcomes are not dependent on me. This can be tricky.
I am relying on spring being the perfect boost to get me feeling like myself again.
Despite the current struggles, there is a lot to look forward to in the coming months; the arrival of a new grandson, a family reunion and summer vacation. All wrapped up in a lot of joy and fun.
Summer will also bring the biggest life-changing event for me: retirement. The decision was made months ago as I wanted time to get used to the idea. Although leaving the work that I love is bittersweet, I am imagining all the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. The time is right. Long overdue, say some.
Imagine having an abundance of time to focus on writing! Not having time is a terrible excuse for not writing, however, winding down from paid work will create space for writing to become a priority.
Along with increased creativity and inspiration, I can hardly wait to see what is achievable. I am hoping to surprise myself.
