One of the most helpful mantras my therapist ever uttered was “rest is productive.”

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed lately, mostly in a good way. I’m writing a book! It’s an anthology of essays about a central topic that brings me much joy. I’m making as much time for it as possible, while also immersing myself in the muse that’s inspiring this big project. Pardon my vagueness – I’d like to avoid being the writer who rambles on and on about the piece instead of just writing it. But also, I am actually writing the piece! I’m currently sixteen essays in. My goal is to complete a full draft manuscript by Thanksgiving, at which point I can dive into rewrites. 

I’ve never worked this long and this diligently on a piece of writing without sharing any of it with anyone. I’m used to writing individual essays for online posts – plugging away for a few days, polishing as I go along, getting my husband read and edit, and then giving it one more work-through before sharing it with y’all. It’s a pretty swift process. But writing a book is completely different. I’ve never had to be this patient with the process of getting to a draft that’s ready for others to read. I’m really proud of myself for putting in all this work without immediate rewards.

And again I feel overwhelmed! I’m a full-time working mom who does customer service on her feet all day, five days per week. I’m trying to be a good parent and partner to the most important people in my world, while also maintaining a social life, getting enough exercise, eating right, and doing the necessary research to make this book really good. It’s a joyful yet exhausting life.

So where does that leave this website? Since I started writing these “Stuff I Love” posts at the beginning of this year, this is the first week when I’ve felt just completely blank. It isn’t that I love life less than usual. On the contrary, being locked into this other project feels wonderful. But I don’t care to talk about it in any detail yet. And since this little website is mainly intended for self-expression and fun, I just don’t feel compelled to force an essay when I’m not feeling inspired to write one. I don’t need to manufacture a distraction from my bigger project, just for the sake of meeting a self-imposed deadline.

So I’m going to take a break from this website, at least until I complete the first draft of my manuscript. I’ll still be writing, just not anything that I can share quite yet. But when I’m ready, I think many of you will love it! I will keep you posted.