I am in LOVE with this time of year. I love it so much. For me, Fall is about freedom.
Throughout the year I put [almost] impossible expectations on myself. Telling myself that I must live to “my” expectations.
But the problem was– it was hard for me to distinguish who’s expectations they were.
For a few months, I have been blocked creatively. I don’t know if it was due to all the changes that happened in my life this year (because believe me, there were a lot), and my mind was just tired of it all.
Perhaps, writing wasn’t enough for me this time.
I was blocked and stuck (and secretly miserable).
Could it be homeschooling? Or the perceived pressure I felt when my baby’s first birthday came a long.
I don’t know.
What I do know, is that when I was able to really dust off my camera, and take some pictures that I enjoyed– the pressure to produce was reduced and I was able to create.
And I felt it again. I felt the simple joy of doing what it is that I like to do.
I can feel this freedom surround me in the simple things that I do now.
- I am able to dance more, since I’ve finally found my rhythm in my schedule. It’s not perfect, and I’m sure it won’t stay the same, but I’m going to sail this ship until I can’t sail it anymore.
- Play is the work for children they say, but it is the work for this adult as well. I can easily get caught up in the daily routine that I forget to have fun. But lately, it’s been easier. I’m enjoying it. Not only that, but I’m enjoying seeing Zee play with LittleZ now.
- Just knowing that someone loves me, is a wonderful feeling. It could be your spouse that helps you feel this way, or just know that even your kid is having a bad day, and takes it out on you, they do that because you DO mean so much to them. It’s a crazy to think that is why our kids sometimes drive us crazy.
- Knowing that your heart is capable of love. There is more than just you in your life. You do what you do, not because you have to (because really, you don’t HAVE to do anything) but because you love your family. You love the life that you made for yourself. And if you don’t like the life that you made for yourself, you love your family enough to change that situation. Sometimes, all you need is love.
- Drinking a cup of tea, or looking out the window. It’s enough really to just sit there and enjoy it. Enjoy the moment. It’s the small, simple moments that makes up our life.
Trends come and go, the bandwagon of making goals for the upcoming year is always going to be here, but never forget who you are.
The only expectations that matter are the ones you make freely.
There is no shame in just being you, sometimes, that is all anyone needs.
What do you find freedom in?
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I love the end of the year and reflecting on the good and bad choices that I have made and I feel like I can start again fresh and make new choices. I find freedom in if the beginning of the year starts off good my whole year will be good. Getting rid of baggage and letting things go is a freedom that makes you feel whole again
That’s a great way to think about it–starting the New Year good, so that it shapes the rest of your year. I agree with you, getting rid of the baggage and letting things go is very freeing, and it does make you feel whole again.
I love this time of year. It seems that everything important to me happens this time of year( Pookah was born, Christmas is coming, which means family is coming).
Freedom is a funny word. It’s hard to define exactly what it means to me. I think I find freedom everytime I pick up my camera and notice little details or moments that I might have misssed if I hadn’t been looking.
I’m starting to feel the same way with the month of November–its be beginning of family time for sure! I love how you mention that when you pick up your camera, you start to notice the details or moments that you have missed if you hadn’t been looking. I think this is true, sometimes we get caught up getting through the day, that we forget to live the day.
Hi Kalley:
This is such a refreshing post! We can think of so many things through which we can express the gift of freedom and liberty in life. This line especially jumped right out at me….”the pressure to produce was reduced and I was able to create.” We were all born with the ability to create. It is just a matter of finding what it is so that we can bring joy and pleasure into our lives.
You are so right Yvonne! WE are all born with the ability to create–we just need to find out what it is that is our medium.
I am finding freedom in making my own rules right now. The season like you said lends that. This is the time of year where everyone is starting to slow down and enjoy family and friends.
Like Kita said I embrace the beginning of the new year and new opportunities. This is truly a wonderful time of the year and I tend to enjoy it from a peaceful and free place.
Yes Mimi, there is freedom in making your own rules and living by them. I remember your Ask Away Friday post and your blogging goals, and I agreed with you on everything! I love that this time of year, we can slow down and start to enjoy family and friends. It’s truly a time of peace.
I love, love, love this post! I am a month late, but it was truly a joy to read this and to be reminded of the need of us all to find and create spaces, define spaces, for freedom! Love this!
Hi Jessica! I was just thinking about you! Hope all is well 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed this post and that it was useful to you. I go through periods where I have to remind myself of these things too. It can be easy to lose yourself in the “everyday.”