In the spirit of practicing what we preach here on Why We Money, we’ve decided to live our mission…
Our mission is to take readers on the journey with us as we learn and explore ways to find balance, meaning, and joy on our path to FI. We share how we do things (financially and otherwise), our experiences, our stories, and what we are learning along the way.”
This December, we are creating space in our lives – to pause.
To rest. Relax. Spend quality time with the important people in our lives. Reflect. Reset (maybe even plan!) for the New Year.
This idea came about suddenly and was wholly inspired by Cait Flanders’ latest post. This:
As you begin to think about what your goals or intentions might be for the rest of 2018 or early 2019, remember that you’re in control. You can change the pace or the rules to meet you or your family’s needs. If you do what feels good for you and those around you, there’s really no way you can go wrong. Again, you may not feel certain of that at the beginning. But eventually, you’ll find you have a personal map of your life and experiences. It’s only after you’ve taken steps forward, though, that you can look back and connect the dots to see where you came from. So don’t be afraid to take that first step. It’s the hardest one to take, but it’s also the closest.” – Cait Flanders
Adapting the rules to fit our life
Others have written about this very thing. Jillian from Montana Money Adventures has talked about the importance of quitting things and writing the rules.
I’ve always admired this. I’ve even dipped my toes in the water now and then. But I’ve never intentionally paused for any stretch of time.
I forgot that I am in control
I’ve never taken the perceived risks I tell myself come along with taking full control of my time and energy. Because I think of almost everything as an obligation or responsibility or commitment.
But when I really think about it, I have this unrealistic story I tell myself about taking time “off”. I feel like an unproductive slacker – an irresponsible person – for not following through on what I think others expect of me.
The key words there are “I think.”
In real life, others don’t genuinely have these expectations of me. It’s actually me placing these false expectations on myself. And am I ever good at that. 🙂
It’s time to quit something. Free up a bit of time, energy, and money. Steal it back from stuff that isn’t your most important. And invest it. Pour it into the “wonderful, fulfilling, hard and scary” things.” – Jillian Johnsrud
We’ve been moving full-steam ahead for months. Now it feels like it’s time to breathe.
Our son will soon be home from the Air Force for the first time since June. And for our family, this is a BIG deal. We get to be together again as a family for an entire week.
I want to slow it down, soak it in and remember it –all of it.
(Have you read “The Tail End” on Wait But Why? If you haven’t, you should.)
A time to pause
In speaking (and in writing too), a well-placed pause makes the audience stop and pay closer attention. A pause not only draws attention to what was just said, but it also builds anticipation for what will come next.
Couldn’t this same concept apply to life?
Just as in speaking (or writing), a well-timed pause in life gives you the chance to think and reflect. To focus on the importance of what came before. And anticipate what might come next.
There is value in intentionally pausing – of just being – and not always doing.
On the surface, a pause might seem unproductive, even counterintuitive. But think about when your best creative ideas come to you. Think about the times when you suddenly come up with solutions to problems.
It’s the times when you think you’ve stopped thinking that your brain relaxes enough to be creative and to find the answers you were looking for. You know, like in the shower, in the middle of the night, or when you’re taking a walk.
Have you thought about taking a pause?
We’ve had a ton of Life happen this year. And I bet you have too.
I know many of us have jobs that we need to attend to, so there’s that.
But what about the rest of the stuff that clutters up your time?
Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, TV, THE INTERNET.
After school activities, after work activities, meetings.
To-do lists, shopping, errands, traffic.
Can you let any of it go, even just for a while?
During the pause…
Your pause will be different than mine. But the idea is the same.
Breathe, Rest, Relax.
Be bored.
Revel in the ordinary. Acknowledge the downtime. Savor the seemingly unimportant, in between moments.
Take a break from everyday busyness, routines, things that take up much of your mental space and physical time.
Just be without expectation
Tap into your creativity
Focus on the most important things
Reflect
Reset
Our Pause
Alan and I set out to write about life and money and work on this blog – and what it looks like to balance it all. As promised, we’re taking readers along the journey with us.
In the spirit of living our mission, we are taking a pause from Why We Money for the rest of 2018. But we’ll be back in 2019 ready to move forward with renewed focus, insight, and inspiration.
Maybe you can find a way to pause some things in your life too?
Live your best life today, not someday. There is no better time than right now to rest, reflect, and reset!
Angela @ Tread Lightly Retire Early says
I am not one to be good at pausing, but I could definitely use it from time to time. My best chance is when we go camping with no cell service – no to do lists, and no internet. Just nature, each other, and a good book.
Amanda says
I LOVE camping – and this is one of the reasons! We camped for over a decade when our kids were younger. I loved not focusing on the electronics or phones. We actually explored and read and hiked and talked and played games. It was incredible. 🙂
Mystery Money Man says
Such a great message, Amanda. I took most of the month of November off of the blog (although it wasn’t planned in advance), but I did realize that I needed the time to breathe. It was nice. Enjoy the time with your son, and I wish you and Alan all the best in the New Year!
Amanda says
Thanks so much MMM! 🙂 Writing this after my break, I can definitely say the time off has been amazing! Thank you for the kind words and I wish you and your family the best for the New Year as well! Here’s to a fantastic 2019! 🙂