I’ve Been In the Cave

So after writing last week about how excited I was to get started on my new direction, I kind of crashed and burned. I mean, in terms of being productive. I just couldn’t seem to gather the energy to get started on my new plans, or do much of anything, really.

Over the weekend, in a group of supportive friends, I was able to articulate that I feel like (in my writing and biz life) I’ve been giving and giving and giving – with very little in return. I do love what I do, and would do the writing part whether or not I was compensated, but even so. After a while it wears on the soul.

This week I’ve been working with my biz coach and tribe of women, and I feel like I’m finally back on track. They helped me to see that it’s completely normal, as an entrepreneur, to “hit the wall” and to have to figure out how to keep moving forward. I liked my biz coach’s notion that our failures are simply clues about how to better relate to our audience and clients. I can do this.

I’ve drafted my sermon for this Sunday – that feels really strange to say, as a Pagan priestess – and I’m pleased with how it’s coming along. I’ve been asked to give the service at a local Unitarian Universalist church, where I am part of a women’s group. I’m actually quite excited about it, and I look forward to offering the same sermon to other UU congregations in the future.

I’ve been thinking about my novel draft, though I haven’t done any actual work on it lately. But pondering and musing is definitely part of the process. I’ve been reading a lot, and watching some shows and movies that inspire me. For me, that’s part of the process of being in the creative cave. I need to get re-inspired and to allow myself extra rest and self-care, which I’ve been doing.

If you’re curious, my reading has included book 4 of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (and now I’m on to book 5), Talk Like TED (a book about being a better public speaker, very timely for me), and Cheryl Richardson’s recent book on self-care. I watched the movie The Prestige last night, which is about rival stage magicians in the late 1800s and also has David Bowie playing Tesla. The movie is a really good story, and is also creepy and thought-provoking. I’ve also been watching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. We’re near the end of season 3 and it’s wonderful.

So, that’s all I have to report for this week, but I’m actually (really really) back on track now, and should be moving forward toward my goals from here on out. So be it!