Well, my initial thought was to write a blog post apologising for my absence – I was SUPPOSED to write about the end of my pregnancy and the early newborn days, and I was hoping to do some Christmas blog posts too. Clearly, I haven’t achieved any of this! But as I began to write my apology, I realised that this wasn’t going to serve anyone well. What would be much more useful is just an honest account of where I have been, what I have been doing, and why.
Since the birth of child #2, things have been somewhat hectic. The baby has been an absolute dream – so I can’t blame anything on her!! Child #1 was settling in really nicely to having a sibling (and not being the centre of attention). Until the novelty wore off. Just as I thought the difficult, early days were over, and I could slowly ease my way back into work, Zara showed me (loud and clear) that she needed more. More time from us, more affection, more play, more time at home. I could have sworn she was getting plenty of this already… but evidently not! So, on the days that I would have usually spent some time working and writing, I began spending that time just hanging out with Zara. While Sofia napped, Zara and I would play. This is still continuing. Not much work has been done, the cleaning isn’t much of a priority, and I have done very little in the way of social media work, newsletters and blog posts.
Nothing has been “wrong”, nothing dramatic has “happened”. Life just went in a direction which required me to follow it. I wanted to share this because so often we feel like unless we have some sort of legitimate “excuse” for changing our plans or goals, we are quitting or failing. I could sense (and see) my daughter needed me, my ageing dog has needed more from me, and a new baby has needed me. This has left me with very little in the tank for anything or anyone else. Not in a “bad” way – just in a realistic way. So, I am sorry that I didn’t get to fulfil my plans for the end of the year, but I’m not sorry that I *finally* stopped to listen. Doing anything out of a sense of obligation, “should have”, pressure, or force never ends well. This is why I’ve decided to give myself a little bit more time before throwing myself back into Nourish. I have been seeing clients, and will continue to do so, but as for blogging and social media, I will do my best when I feel called to share. Early next year I will also begin taking on new clients again, but for now, I will let nature run its course and do whatever I can when I am able.
Christmas can be a really difficult time for many people –eating challenges, family pressures, relationships… If you relate to this, please know that it is OK not to love this time of the year. It’s OK to take the time out that you need, and to care for yourself over this time.
Wherever possible, I hope this Christmas and New Year period is one filled with peace, love and harmony.
Lina x