Welcome chicks!
Some of my longtime readers have notice that I haven’t been my old self lately. I’ve been posting a bit less than normal and writing much, much less than normal. I’ve gotten a handful of emails of “Are you sure your okay?” variety in the last week. Nice, thoughtful emails from people who really wanted to know.
The fact is, I’m in a bit of a funk. It seems like everything is suddenly harder than it should be. Losing Agnes didn’t help, but the truth is I was already feeling pretty low. Ironically, it all came to a head when last week when I watched a movie I love for the hundredth time.
Erin and I and our friend Lorna sat down in the middle of the day and watched Sense and Sensibility- the one with the good looking people, not the newer version with the good actors. Erin and Lorna were both knitting and I was working on a rug I started last October. It was very restful and nice, to take a couple of hours off. And then I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I sat down to watch a movie, or knit, or do anything apart from working.
Usually I’m okay with that. I love what I do. I love working with my flock. I love communicating with my shareholders, and writing blog posts and planning events. Okay, maybe I’m not so crazy about bookkeeping or some of the other mundane parts of the job, but I wouldn’t give up my life for anything.
And I certainly could go on working from the moment I open my eyes until I fall into bed at night. I just don’t want to anymore. I want to be able to take an afternoon off now and then. Maybe even take a whole day off every week.
I’m going to be making some changes in my life. It’s probably going to take some time, but I’m going to work on re-jiggering my business plan so that I can actually sit back and relax now and then. I’m not sure exactly what form these changes will take just yet, but I’m excited about them already.
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Aw, I know (sort of) just how you feel and have been doing much the same thing in my own life, trying to figure out exactly what I want to be doing rather than filling my days with all the things I think I have to do.
Of course it’s much easier to take a step back from things when you don’t have animals to tend, but I hope you’re able to get the space you need and the changes you need made in a way that’s best for everyone (most of all you)!
Susan… That is exactly what you should do! I am speaking for all of your devoted “fans” when I say that you absolutely need to take a day off for the betterment of everyone. You touch so many people’s lives, and we command that you take at easy at least one day per week! Thank you for everything you do.
dontcha feel better just identifying what the “trouble” actually is? and now that u know, u can (and i am sure will…) take some steps to make things better!
good luck with the “rearranging” and let us know if we can help in anyway. a couple of hundred heads are usually better than one! :>
I understand this from my own experience, Susie, and you’ve been at it for so much longer than I have! You set a really brisk pace for yourself and everyone stands amazed. But it’s really hard to maintain that pace without a rest. The more you bite off, the more you have to keep chewing. And the sense that all the plates need to keep spinning is kind of overwhelming. Time to take a little break… maybe find a pace that’s easier to keep up, with little rests built in. Your “tribe” (family, friends, shareholders) can handle it! They can keep things going very well, especially if it means you can come back after a breather with renewed ideas and enthusiasm. Time for some feet-UP time if you ask me
. xo
A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do…you know yourself better than anyone else. Trust your gut feeling and make those changes..you will be a happier Susan
It’s in the air. I’ve been so wrapped up in my business that it feels like I’m forgetting to take a breath. My DH told me this weekend to hire someone or think about selling the business. I already have 9 people that work for me but could use more to get the customer load off of me and allow me to get back to what I do best…find fun and interesting stuff for the store.
Best Wishes on finding some time and space for yourself.
Oh, Susie! No matter how much you love what you do you simply MUST take a day or two off each week. For your sanity, for your Patrick’s sanity, and even for your flock!
Susan, your business can only be as good as you are. You need to find a way to re-charge, doing so is not taking away from your business but ensuring that you bring your best self to work each day. Its such a cliche but so true, especially in a venture that requires so much personal investment. Please take care of yourself!!!
taking care of yourself is essential if you are going to care for others (human or animal)….advice I often have to give to myself. sending you HUGS!!
Having been a full time mom and home business owner for the past 20 years I also can attest to finding balance. I have quit several projects for the my sanity and the betterment of all around me.
If there is anything I can do…you know I’m there for ya! Love, Hugs, and certainly space to breathe on it’s way to you – special delivery!!
Good for you! Life is too short not to include some time to do things just for yourself and for the pure pleasure it can give. Go for it, girl!
Do what you love, do what has to be done, chuck the rest in the trash. Life is too short. Love you girlie! ~@~
Good for you Susan, changing your business model a little is a great idea to give you more time to write your book and blog and spend time with the people you love and love you. These comments are so loving and thoughtful.
Good for you, Susan. I’m so glad you had a chance to stop and smell the roses (watch a movie with good friends). You give so much joy to so many people and you can’t do that if you let your own well run dry. xoxoxo
You go girl.
This may sound strange, but though we’ve never metI empathize completely. Professionally, I draw and paint to other’s directions. Seldom to never something that replenishes. Need time to do what I need to do, everything from feeding birds and squirrels ito reading, to handwork for myself.
Keep listening to you.
I understand exactly what you’re going through. It’s the curse of the self-employed. You’ll find a balance. G’luck.
Very tough to live where you work–it’s a 24-hour a day thing. You need to go to a friend’s house and camp out occasionally to get away. As long as you’re at home looking at what needs to be done, you’ll always be drawn to it–just because that’s the way you are–you love your work, you love your life. But sometimes what we love the most is not what we need to be healthy. Wish I could afford to send you to Cancun. At least go down the road and stay in a hotel and let cabana boys serve you pina coladas — the more scantily clad the better!! GrandmaTutu has spoken!!! Feel better!!!
Susan,
Thank you for your honesty. So many of us spend each day making it look easy to the outside world when it is so overwhelming. I’m a full time mom of four daughters, my husband travels, and some days I just wish I could take the day off. Your honesty inspires me to be honest with myself and say sometimes, “It’s not easy, and I need a break!” Best of everything to you on your journey to your answer.
Hi Susan, I’m so glad you were able to quickly figure out what was making you blue and are working toward fixing it. Everyone needs down time–even super people like you who seem to have 48 hours in every day. Hugs!
I hope you can find the right balance in your life. We are all behind you 100% with whatever you decide is right for you. It is very important to take time to renew your spirt and soul. No matter how much you love doing something, it can drain your spirit. Take some time to relax and enjoy life.
Do what you need to do for your own well being!! I am so glad that you have been able to see that you need changes. Often we don’t pay attention to our own lives enough to know when something isn’t working quite right. Regroup and recharge, refresh and care for yourself!
I hope that you are able to make the changes you need to make, and most of all, I hope you get your joie de vivre back asap! Feeling blue is the PITS. I admire your work and the path you are taking; if it helps, know that you definitely bring joy to others.
Hi Susan-
You need to regain equilibrium. It happens to everyone from time to time. I was just on MV during one of the rainy June weeks, a vacation delayed 2 days due to the passing of my grandfather, then 2 more days as we had car trouble. By the time we got there, I decided I needed something to help me remember to stay grounded – so I bought a small Anchor charm. I’m not super-nautical (though wish I were because it looks so classy) but felt the meaning was important.
Good! No matter how much you love your job it’s not good to never have any time off of it. If you never took time off you’d start to not like your job, and that’s not good at all.
Um, I just noticed your tweets… is it too immature of me to say BAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAA!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your feelings so honestly, Susan. I hope you can quickly land on a solution that works for you to balance responsibilities and fun, family and work, giving and taking, and them and me (meaning you).
Isn’t that the greeat thing about life. It’s like knitting something you decide you hate. You can rip it out. If you know yourself well enough, you know when it’s time to re-evaluate and change things around. And when you have wonderful people in your life, who know you and care for you, you get to ask for help and input and a different perspective and all that good stuff. Certainly you know by now how many people are out here sending good energy your way.
YAAYYYY!!!Shepherd Susie is giving herself permission to BREATHE!!! YAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!
What is it with us? We drive ourselves and our families crazy with this go-go-go mentality, until we realize the balance is GONE, and the apple cart is about to crash.
Love you, Susan. I am so glad you are on your side!
Take care of yourself first. You won’t be able to take care of either the things you love about the farm, let alone the less than fun things, if you’re not happy.
Sorry you’re feeling bad but I know that funk well – a similar one is lingering around me these days too. Great movie and great version of it. Have you seen “Lost in Austen” very funny modern twist on the movie. Hang in there.
It’s good you slowed down enough to recognize something was not right. You caught yourself before *burn-out* happened. Good for you. And good luck re-configuring your business plan to make it happen.
Life is too short to keep your nose to the grindstone all the time!
EVERYBODY deserves time off now and again–and not just vacations, but just a few hours of guilt-free time to do whatever you want to do. Never feel guilty about doing that. It’s a must for sanity.
And–you DO mean the Emma Thomson/Hugh Laurie/Kate Winslet/Alan Rickman S&S, right? Because that one is perfect. I’m confused about referring to a newer one with good actors. (grin)
Chappy sends cheer-inducing tail wags!
Have been there, and you do tend to keep a lot on your plate. As the saying goes “if you don’t take care of yourself how can you take care of others”. You need to somehow find that “mental me” time to sit back and enjoy life!
Susan, been thinking of you today.
From my own experience with depression, could there ibe a hormonal component to your blue feelings. Don’t mean to get too personal,
but if the blues go on much longer, talk with an MD.
Apologies for seeming a busy body. Just been there, got help and maybe you can benefit from this.
susie-
there is not much that stinks more than be overwhelmed by work. you have got to schedule time in and have a date with yourself – make as many dates as you can … then fill in those appts. with plans to do things that you really want to do – like reading a specific book or watching a movie or just going down to the hardware store and browsing and having lunch out. I second the motion – if you don’t take care of yourself – there’s not much left for anyone else.
Here’s a quote I tend to live by:”I give my friends advice so that when I need it they will give it back to me.” So, ahem, you have encouraged me so many times to take care of myself and make big changes to do that. If I can do it, so can you, and if you can do it so can I. Life is such a journey, and how wonderful that we are all on it together, both virtually and literally. So, hmm, this CAN be done, and WILL lead to big transformation, and the ripples to all of us will be glorious. To that end, I am sending hugs to all who read this, that we may feel our groundedness and our glory today. (I think there are too many mixed metaphors in this. Don’t get me started on sheep and shepherds.)
Great idea. Resting and relaxing will refresh and restore you. It won’t take much…
All work and no play is not good for any of us. I am always trying to simplify my life.
Carolyn C. is right–do what you can to feel better, but if it doesn’t work, ask your Dr. for help. Sometimes hauling yourself out of a blue funk just isn’t a one-person job . . . Take care–lots of people are very fond of you, perfect strangers though we are.
Good for you!!!! You need time to yourself everyone does.
you’ve got to have time to yourself
to be able to HAVE a SELF to take care of all the others you so gracefully tend to
alter things
kinda like the hokey pokey
shake it all about
you’ve got to have fun
that’s what life is about
and so
amen to you!
love
rona
…and to the hokey pokey
I’ve been so swamped, I haven’t had time to respond ’til now!
I’m glad that you were not only able to recognise what you felt was missing, but also that you’re willing and able to take another look at your business plan to make time for you. I know that everyone has been worrying about you and wishing that there was something more we could do for you!
I had noticed that you weren’t posting nearly enough, but figured you were just massively busy with the summer season. (Which I’m sure is also true!)
Be sure to let us know what’s changing in your life so we can cheer from the sidelines!