My husband and I decided to spend two weeks at our beach house in Amelia Island, FL so I could finish writing my second book. My deadline is June 13th, and I assumed that the sun, the ocean and the beautiful palm trees would inspire me. Not! I am experiencing major writer’s block.
This book will be published next spring and is a joint effort between three other successful Atlanta businesswomen and myself, with advice on starting your own business. We’ll each be sharing the experiences and lessons we endured during our professional journeys, so I think it will be a must-read for anyone wanting to break out on their own.
However, I am noticing a change in myself. I feel I am going through a new phase in my life. Five years ago, I reinvented myself by starting my own business and becoming a successful image consultant, which in turn elevated my self-esteem as well as my self-confidence. I often feel like I am living an outer body experience when I find myself speaking to 100 people at a time or helping someone feel great about herself.
The first part of this sabbatical was no different than any others. My stress leveled off, I walked on the beach every day with my 3 Westies, and I discovered a great YMCA one mile from our house. But now that we enter our second week on the island, I not only feel relaxed but am enjoying the simple things in life which I’ve ignored for decades! Yesterday, I went to the produce market (me!) and enjoyed buying fresh fruit, homemade peanut brittle and fresh flowers. Then I walked downtown with Oliver and Spike in tow and felt I was living in a ‘50s movie where life seemed simpler. We walked on Main Street, smiled and said hello to other passersby. Some people would ask if they could pet the puppies and thanked me after they did!
I then sat on a bench and enjoyed the peaceful blue sky, the bells ringing at the church across the street (when is the last time you heard church bells?), and the soft breeze and wondered why anyone would want to live anywhere else! I don’t miss the traffic in Atlanta, I don’t miss looking for a parking space at the grocery store and I certainly don’t miss having to get “appropriately” dressed when I go out. Here, I don’t wear makeup, pull my hair back in a ponytail, wear flip flops (no corporate arena around here) and don’t mind being seen in shorts.
There’s really something to say about “the simple life.” What will happen when we go home next week? I’d love to hear your personal experiences about slowing down. Do we all change every few years? I sure hope it’s not a sign of getting old, ha ha!