How I write without judgement

& a bit on burning out

I want to share this with you - I usually write without purpose. Mostly to find my point. Scrub my sub-conscious with ink & say, “hello, time for a bit of spring cleaning!”

I never know where I’m going when the first words appear. It’s during these free-write sessions I realise the name of my emotions. How mental is my mental health and how comfortable I am looking at myself in the mirror?

You ever notice how we look in the mirror every day, at least once but we forget to check-in with ourselves & weeks go by without a hello?

Yeah, same.

That’s why I write. To peel the curtain. Take off the frontier I brave so confidently. & meet myself where I am. As I am. In whatever shape I am.

But if you’re like me too - some days you won’t write. Avoid it at all costs. Especially after a bull-fight with your mom or a cat-fight with your sister; your emotions shaking ground on a richter scale of infinity. Because you’re scared whatever you vomit on paper will be too harsh. Too rude. Too mean. Too selfish.

& god forbid someone reads it!!!
Nope. Not happening.

So? You bottle up. & that pile of thoughts becomes a volcanic lava-filled mountain in no time.

& then you explode.

“If only I’d written it down!!!!!” you would think in hindsight?

It so happens that I have the BEST intellectual & self-inquiring growth, post negative interactions. My thoughts over time have become solution oriented & favor problem solving. Rarely do I put the blame on someone else now, when I write. & the only way I know this to be true is because I wrote.

Sometimes a lovesick babble, other times an angry garble - but the words are almost always, exaggerated. Wide-eyed & loudly staring back at me. True as day. Waiting to be tamed.

I don’t tame them. Why should I?

What you write in your journal is for your eyes only. Your feelings. Often fragile. But nobody else’s worry. & sometimes you may share them. But the need to edit - to read smooth & smudge-free & cosmetically gorgeous. Presentable at all times; the written version of “I woke up like this” - it’s suffocating.

You’re allowed to be boring. Stupid. & incorrect.

Here’s a list of things I write:

• whatever’s on my mind; a free-write clearing of the headspace

• thought maps for future essays & poems

• dreams, still fresh in memory & ones I want to remember - sometimes I write fiction inspired by them

• I jot down interesting things I see or hear when I’m out & about

• half-cooked attempts at writing prompts

Nowhere near pretty - but that’s the point. The process is the point.

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A bit about hustle

I have been hustling hard. Pouring energy into work and chasing an elusive idea of success. But somewhere along the way, I am starting to realize that I will lose myself in the chaos. & that’s no way to live.

Burnout is no joke. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it. One minute you’re on top of the world, and the other you’re struggling to get out of bed in the morning.

In our fast-paced modern world, finding balance between work and personal life can often feel like trying to juggle lightsabers. But it’s doable.

Just as a skilled Jedi harnesses the Force, we can master the art of balance.

In this latter half I explore some easy-to-follow tips I use to manage my apparel business, yoga practice, writing goals, & a new-found love for coding.

Well, first off, you need to recognize the signs.

Are you feeling constantly exhausted, irritable, or just not like yourself? It might be time to take a step back and reassess.

Second, prioritizing. I've found that making a list of what truly matters to me helps keep things in perspective.

Sure, work is important, but so is my sanity and well-being.

I consciously carve time for my yoga practice, writing this newsletter, & spending time with my family. In one of my next editions I’ll talk about my relationship with discipline. Being or not being in the “mood” to do an activity can be problematic (read: IS problematic) when I’m trying to build habits. But more on this later!

A list of thoughts (lightsabers) in the battle for balance

1. Learn to say no when needed. It's okay to prioritize yourself sometimes. I’m guilty of not responding to messages, answering phone calls, & forgetting to call back - it’s okay. Be honest.

2. It’s not just bubble-baths & face masks (although those are epic too). Listen to your mind & body. Make time to recharge. Make time for nothing.

3. You don't have to do it all yourself. Delegate tasks at work and at home to free up more time for what truly matters.

4. Yes, I know, we love our gadgets. But sometimes, it's good to unplug and disconnect from the digital world. I do it at least once a year for 7-10 days when I hike in the Himalayas. It’s a game changer. A more sustainable way can also be to put the phone away 2 hrs before you sleep.

5. Whether it's enjoying a good book, savoring a cup of tea, or simply watching the sunset - the simple act of noticing empowers you. Brings you back to the body.

Finding balance is an ongoing journey. But with a little bit of mindfulness and a whole lot of heart, we can keep going. Life's too short to be serious all the time.

Call upon your inner geek & let the freak flag fly. May the Force be with you.

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Nature is brimming with poetry, if you just take the time to listen. This 9-page guide offers everything you need to dive into the beauty of nature with a poet’s eye. From choosing the right location to engaging all five senses, this guide will help you unlock the writing potential hidden in leaves, birdsongs, and morning dew. Bonus resources included for even more inspiration!

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