The Power of a Pause - Chapter 02

*Originally written in October 2021 and modified as required.

So what happened while I was pausing?

I rested.

I reflected.

I rested again.

I eased into my days with no plans.

I rediscovered myself - not who others thought I was (or wanted me to be).

I reevaluated my values. MY values.

I promised myself I would live my life with those values as the guiding principles of my life. Once I did that, there was a shift.

Those values -

1. Love and Deep Connection (with family, friends)

2. Creativity

3. Wellness

4. Adventure / wander

5. Freedom / Simplicity

6. Altruism

I focused on living a life of quality over quantity, which allowed me to have love and deep connections.

I set boundaries for myself which gave me time, freedom and less tasks.

I hiked and was outdoors all the time and learned about biophilia to align with my wellness and adventurous spirit.

I learned how to paint from my mom - creativity and deep connection.

And some days - I did absolutely nothing. Which may have been the most freeing of all.

And then.....

I bought a property on the lake to renovate. Wait what? I thought this was your time to rest and reflect?!

**Photo by interiorsbyyoungglass

You bet. I was going back to my values, and it made complete sense to me. I found something that made my everyday feel like sunshine.

I didn’t even question the purchase. Amanda - 3 months prior - was so burned out, she wouldn’t have even been able to consider it. Overwhelmed with the to do list to come, the financial situation, BUT the power of a pause - rediscovered Amanda - was excited, energized, renewed.

I didn’t even question the purchase. Amanda - 3 months prior - was so burned out, s wouldn’t have even been able to consider it. She would have been overwhelmed with the to- do list to come and the financial burden.

BUT the power of a pause rediscovered Amanda, who was excited, energized, renewed.

I was able to be creative.

I was focused on my wellness.

I felt a sense of freedom doing something for myself.

I focused on connections family and friends who visited and helped out.

I was able to wander in this new setting - during a time where travel wasn’t tangible for my adventurous spirit.

Think about your values - What are your values? Wow can you create a life that aligns with what those are?

Chapter 03 coming soon...