Tending the Fire: Not the Newsletter I had Planned
I have rich newsletter topics swirling in my being. Someday they will be ready to be written, but now doesn’t seem to be the time. When I’ve tried to sit down and type them, they won’t come out. I’ve considered doubling down on them anyways...
I could spend my Thursday evening staring at the computer.
I could whittle away Friday afternoon coaxing them forward.
I could fill my Saturday morning with editing draft after draft.
OR I could pivot. I could choose a path of less resistance and trust that when these stories are ready to be told, they will flow with ease.
I love writing these newsletters AND in the scheme of my life, writing them falls into the “work” category. And when it comes to work, I have to be very mindful of when I’m saying yes and no.
You see, if I said yes to work on Thursday evening, I would be saying NO to rest.
If I said yes to work on Friday afternoon, I would be saying NO to time in nature (I’m longing for a springtime run that afternoon).
If I said yes to work on Saturday morning, I would be saying NO to time with a dear friend.
When we say YES to something, it usually means saying NO to something else. So much of the work we do in coaching is getting clear on our priorities and what is meaningful to us, so that we can say YES and NO with intention. So that our actions align with our values.
In this season, I do very much so value my work. It's easy to prioritize my work when I love what I do (and we gotta eat!), but I'm careful that it doesn't come at the cost of other things I want to prioritize, like rest, nature and connection. My goal is to engage in the kaleidoscope of my life without overextending. Which means mindful yeses and nos.
And so, I am pivoting. I am trusting that these stories will come forward when they’re ready and instead am writing a short n’ sweet ditty here about what’s currently present– the power of choice and intention.
It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyways because we could probably use the reminder), that saying yes and no with intention extends far beyond work scenarios. It might mean saying no to your nephew’s soccer game and yes to your mad gardening and nap goals this weekend. Or saying no to happy hour with the crew and yes to a hike with a friend the next morning (or vice versa, depending on your needs). In fact, saying no to loved ones can sometimes be harder than saying no to work. Go gently with yourself.
So, what about you dearest reader? Might you take a moment to check in and see… what are you currently saying yes to that needs to be a no? And what YES does that free up? These questions and more are in the Invitation section below if further exploration is a YES for you. Check ‘em out!
Yours with intention as I close the laptop and grab my running shoes,
Shannah 🤍
Nurtured Founder & Coach
Your turn! Let’s check in. The following questions are here as a way to tend your fire.
Remember, this doesn’t have to be a big time commitment to be helpful. If it feels good, put on a song, pick one question from the list, and noodle until the song ends.
In order to say yes and no with intention, we need to know what we value and what our priorities are. These are dynamic and will likely shift based on our internal seasons. Make a list: What are my top five priorities this season?
What are a couple action items that are aligned with each of those priorities? (for ex: if a priority is “time in nature”, then some actions might be walks outside, coffee in the stillness of the backyard, evening toe dips in the river, etc.)
Are there any actions in my daily life that do not feel aligned with my priorities?
What might need to happen so that I can say NO to that which is not aligned, and YES to what is?
ONE action I can and WILL take TODAY in alignment with my priorities is:
Big bravo for taking a moment to explore, check in, and tend your own fire. 🔥 If you would like to have your responses witnessed, I would be delighted to receive them! Email me anytime at shannah@gonurtured.com.
So much of the work we do in coaching is getting clear on our priorities and what is meaningful to us. If you'd like support in discovering what you want to say YES to this season, I would be honored to say YES to journeying alongside you.