Just Chill Already...

I'm the worst at relaxing.

My friend Liz constantly reminds me that not everything I do has to be "productive", but it never seems to sink in. I've bought into the idea that every waking moment needs to be about the grind, and it's been killing me.

Last week I decided to dedicate my off time to NOT doing a whole bunch of extra projects. I had no idea just how much I needed the rest until I gave myself permission to take it. I canceled all my D&D sessions that I was GMing (I host three online campaigns), I put my laptop away, I took photos only for myself, AND I went to coffee shops without my laptop.

Speaking of which...

Isn't that just beautiful! If you're ever in Blue Springs, MO be sure to swing by Scout Coffee (not sponsored) to get some yummy coffee!

I've come to realize that I am a very driven person with unreasonable high standards for success. No matter how busy I keep myself, I never get to a place where I feel like I've done enough. This is deeply problematic for my health (both mental and physical) and I'm making a change.

My new goal is to enjoy life and enjoy my projects rather than overloading myself with dozens of projects. I keep spreading myself thin and then stressing over it. It's time to slow down. To breath. To care more about living than about "being productive." I have a podcast I want to work on, I have photography I want to create, and I have my D&D writing and playing that I absolutely love. The worst thing I can do is take all those fun and wonderful things and siphon the joy out of them by making them stressful and burdensome.

So cheers to slowing down and learning to chill already!