Intentional Solitude
It's June 13th, 2025.
June is typically a busy month for me and my family. Birthdays, Anniversary, the end of the school year. Spring is making its way into summer. Yard work. Broken lawn mowers.
Turns out, it's a lot.
This year is even busier than usual with a too-short trip for me to Long Island to see my parents. Another trip to Montreal to visit a college. Graduations for close friends. A missed opportunity to travel to Spain for something wonderful.
And work is more challenging than ever. I just had my six year anniversary at work. I thought I would be at this company for three years, tops. Funny how things happen.
Turns out, everything is a lot.
I haven't even mentioned my repulsion and fear at what is happening in the US. And concern for the events overseas too.
Turns out, everything is too much.
At the end of May, Hey Party People! put on two shows, on back to back nights. They went great, and I loved writing and acting in the sketches. We had a lot of new-to-the-troupe actors. Mostly younger folks than I, who knew each other from other creative outlets. It was wonderful to get to know them and see them jump right into the unknown. Fearless. Funny. Fantastic.
I typically turn to creativity to help put a little something good into the world. A laugh or two via comedy, a little piece of art via sketchnotes or zines.
But that show schedule included a lot of driving, and a lot of creative energy. Plus logistic management.
Turns out, I'm burnt out.
So I am seeking some intentional solitude. A couple hours away from it all. Don't let the term intentional make you think goals. 'Make pen marks in a notebook' is the only goal if there is one. Intentional in terms of I intend to let my mind wander.
Our calendars are full, we're overcommitted. We do too much. We think rest is lazy. But letting your mind bounce around aimlessly through the woods is the way we find new paths through the woods. That's how we find new woods to bounce around in.
So on Saturday June 14th, and Juneteenth (Thursday June 19th) I have some time set aside to be alone and let my mind wander.
I'll report back once I find my way back through the woods.