Yesssss! I believe strongly in the seasonality of things. It's still hard sometimes to just let it happen, but you can't fill all your buckets at the same time. Go ride those rapids!
"The modern world does its best to strangle the seasonality out of our lives." I could go for a few months of full-on hibernation about now. I guess I'm just too nervous about what I'd wake up to.
I loved the subtitle of your piece: On Acceptance.
Before acceptance comes awareness.
And this is deep awareness:
“The root cause of my historical bouts of writer’s block has usually been perfectionism. This time, when I found myself staring at a blinking cursor for the third week in a row, it struck me that something felt different. It seemed as if my body was telling me not to write—like it knew something.”
Dude, so much to like in here. Parallels with depression and how it’s viewed negatively. And I’m a sucker for anything that ties such a strong connection between nature and the creative life.
This also spoke to me and the untimely anchor of a 9-5 as it relates to the concept of creative seasons. Some days you find yourself all suited up, looking out at the waves, in season, and you’re stuck inside, board somewhere deep in the garage, and you miss all the swells. Be grateful when you can hit those waves, or rapids, when they’re flowing.
Thanks man. Yeah, you're spot on - a 9-5 is the perfect example of something that interferes with natural and much-needed seasonality. I dig the surfing metaphor.
Love this, man. I'm very late to the game here, but you know... writer's block had me ducking Substack completely. This one really lands for me. Really wonderful to see how all you have going on, so many stories to eventually tell, whenever the time's right. In the meantime, I'm so grateful for our Daily 25, and keeping each other going. 🙏
Enjoy life man, however it looks right now. This was really well written...you can always come back to the keyboard and we'll be right here listening for you.
Such a great piece reminding us not to push things to happen and just allow them to happen... not to mention a reminder to listen to our intuition. One of my saying is "Being IS Doing." Your writing also reminds me of a couple of lines from Garth Brooks' song, The River, which is one I refer people to when talking about purpose/why. "You know a dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows. And the dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes" ....... "Choose to chance the rapids, and dare the dance the tides." https://youtu.be/a1sSFLFYllY?si=blwv5Y-qdj9TY3ef Thank you, as always, Alex, for "giving us permission" to be beautiful, imperfect humans, and teaching us ways to self-love, by sharing your path with us.
PS - Jeff Foster is known in the spiritual community as a very grounded, earthy, real person. One thing he says about "depression" that really resonates with me is that within the word itself lies a message of "deep rest." During my depression periods, my body feels really heavy. As if the universe were pressing its thumb on me so I can't go anywhere (yet). I've also thought of those times as shedding my skin, like a snake. The old layer doesn't fit me anymore, so I need to get rid of it and the new will reflect who I am... today.
Yesssss! I believe strongly in the seasonality of things. It's still hard sometimes to just let it happen, but you can't fill all your buckets at the same time. Go ride those rapids!
You can't fill all your buckets at the same time is a reminder I need to hear quite often!
“This is not a time to write. It’s a time to live.” Follow the intuition—and live, Alex, live! ✨
Thanks Brigitte! Doing my best :)
"For me, for now, it is a season of living. That is a beautiful thing."
Huge smile on my face reading this, Alex. Spring is coming. A time for doing.
Thanks brother. A time for doing indeed.
"The modern world does its best to strangle the seasonality out of our lives." I could go for a few months of full-on hibernation about now. I guess I'm just too nervous about what I'd wake up to.
Hah, yeah - I envy the bears who don't know the perils of an unchecked inbox.
I was about to quote this exact same line, haha! One of those sentences that sparks an involuntary head nod.
Me too!
for sure
…there is as much or more inside of not doing as in doing…rad of you to find, have or hear your music…
Appreciate it man. Well said.
I loved the subtitle of your piece: On Acceptance.
Before acceptance comes awareness.
And this is deep awareness:
“The root cause of my historical bouts of writer’s block has usually been perfectionism. This time, when I found myself staring at a blinking cursor for the third week in a row, it struck me that something felt different. It seemed as if my body was telling me not to write—like it knew something.”
🙌👏
I could keep going Alex. Amazing essay.
Thanks so much James. "Before acceptance comes awareness" is beautifully said.
Dude, so much to like in here. Parallels with depression and how it’s viewed negatively. And I’m a sucker for anything that ties such a strong connection between nature and the creative life.
This also spoke to me and the untimely anchor of a 9-5 as it relates to the concept of creative seasons. Some days you find yourself all suited up, looking out at the waves, in season, and you’re stuck inside, board somewhere deep in the garage, and you miss all the swells. Be grateful when you can hit those waves, or rapids, when they’re flowing.
Thanks man. Yeah, you're spot on - a 9-5 is the perfect example of something that interferes with natural and much-needed seasonality. I dig the surfing metaphor.
Gee...and I was just thinking "go with the flow".
You are much more concise than I am!
🤣😂🤣
Love this, man. I'm very late to the game here, but you know... writer's block had me ducking Substack completely. This one really lands for me. Really wonderful to see how all you have going on, so many stories to eventually tell, whenever the time's right. In the meantime, I'm so grateful for our Daily 25, and keeping each other going. 🙏
I'm grateful as well man!
Love how you’ve hoped on that raft and are riding those rapids! Enjoy this season of living.
Thanks man!
Enjoy life man, however it looks right now. This was really well written...you can always come back to the keyboard and we'll be right here listening for you.
Much appreciated Jeremy.
Such a great piece reminding us not to push things to happen and just allow them to happen... not to mention a reminder to listen to our intuition. One of my saying is "Being IS Doing." Your writing also reminds me of a couple of lines from Garth Brooks' song, The River, which is one I refer people to when talking about purpose/why. "You know a dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows. And the dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes" ....... "Choose to chance the rapids, and dare the dance the tides." https://youtu.be/a1sSFLFYllY?si=blwv5Y-qdj9TY3ef Thank you, as always, Alex, for "giving us permission" to be beautiful, imperfect humans, and teaching us ways to self-love, by sharing your path with us.
PS - Jeff Foster is known in the spiritual community as a very grounded, earthy, real person. One thing he says about "depression" that really resonates with me is that within the word itself lies a message of "deep rest." During my depression periods, my body feels really heavy. As if the universe were pressing its thumb on me so I can't go anywhere (yet). I've also thought of those times as shedding my skin, like a snake. The old layer doesn't fit me anymore, so I need to get rid of it and the new will reflect who I am... today.
This is beautifully said. Thanks for sharing Christine. Hope life is treating you wonderfully.
This is beautiful. There’s something special in recognising that it’s a time for living – and sharing it in words. Living, not working, in public.
Thanks Claire. Living in public - I love that.
Live and let live. Profound concept! Continue to savor the moments.
Indeed!
Beautiful, as always
Appreciate it brother.
damnnnn love me some seasonal living and love me some fresh Alex Michael writing. what a day!
Seasonal living is right up your alley! Appreciate you dude.