The Art of Rest: Embracing Simple Pleasures During My June Sabbatical
I feel it's important to reflect on what I enjoyed during my sabbatical before I dive deeply into the lessons—of which there were many.
Yes! I'm going to celebrate the beautiful moments, the fun, the joys, and the wins—FIRST!
My old productivity patterns tell me, "Talk about the lessons! Give the gems of wisdom!" But that is a part of me who is realizing her days in this job are numbered, and soon, she too, will be all about flowing with life rather than 24/7 hustle.
So, let's land in the soul-nourishing, relaxing, and rejuvenating stuff I experienced in my sabbatical!
An image of the forest, evoking where I spent my time camping. I was too busy relaxing to take many pictures, honestly.
During June, I really set the intention to have as much fun, enjoyment, and relaxation as I could without striving, pushing, or over-doing. My “work” was kept to a bare minimum: my Moon Circles, answering any time sensitive questions about my business Living Luna, and sending out signed copies of "A Woman's Work.” I also wrote an introspective blog on Medium for Pride, and reached out to a few people via email. I caught up with some friends I hadn't had an opportunity to see in a while— some in person, and some over Zoom.
Knowing I have been recovering from complex PTSD and chronic illness for a long time now, I allowed myself to have slow mornings and drew lots of boundaries with loved ones and community members around my energy expenditure and how much I would show up.
I was invited into a few collaboration opportunities which, again, I drew boundaries around and said we would re-address in July and beyond.
I spent a great deal of time outside in my own yard, enjoying the birds and the shifting summer weather. I went camping and hiking with Justin, connecting deeply with spider energy (I actually think I saw more than 10 varieties of spiders during that). I got to go to an incredible Juneteenth celebration and potluck. I went blueberry picking and enjoyed the first harvests from our home garden.
I took many baths in my little tub at home and used up my Epsom salts.
I did a ton of reflective journaling, especially around my dependency on others' opinions of me, people-pleasing, and overworking. My June journal is filled cover to cover.
I had days where I did practically nothing other than play video games, watch TV, and read books. I allowed myself to enjoy various forms of entertainment. I played Baldur's Gate 3 through for the second time, completing an entirely different playthrough style and really exploring parts of the game that I hadn't before. I began watching "The Expanse" series and absorbed two entire 400~ page fiction books. I played a cozy farm sim video game (Coral Island) and board games.
I indulged in simple pleasures like eating cotton candy-flavored ice cream and an extraordinary amount of pancakes.
I took a little local trip with my spouse and partner Ike where we played board games, cooked together, went hiking, collected feathers, did some art, and did a boudoir photo shoot.
I stretched more than I have in a long time, and danced, too. I helped in the kitchen more since I had energy, and daydreamed about my business without taking action.
What I really enjoyed most about June were the moments where I got to absorb other people's creativity in the form of shows, movies, books, comics, music, and art, which was really inspiring to me in my own creative endeavors. These activities fill my bucket and have for my entire life. For a long time, I felt shame around allowing myself to enjoy what I enjoy, especially if it was not what was enjoyed by dominant society. But I really feel like this month allowed me to get back in a groove of allowing myself to enjoy, to play and have fun, and really experience what it's like when I take care of myself and fill my cup first, including my inspiration cup.
I'm sure I will be talking so much more about the lessons that came through in the coming weeks, but for now, I just want to celebrate how many moments of extraordinary living I got to do.
I also want to share that this was a sabbatical on a budget because my ego didn’t think it was “possible” to take a break and not drown. Ultimately, my goal was to enjoy what I had, right here, available to me almost every day. I did not take a long distance travel vacation or spend very much money during the month. I prioritized using what I had. I didn't do an extraordinary amount of birthday shopping or pay for expensive lodging. My camping and travels were all local and within a very easy driving distance. With the exception of a small handful of meals, I ate very good homemade vegetarian food from whole vegetables, grains, legumes, and plenty of garden greens.
I say this because I want to bring home that so much of the enjoyment I experienced came out of moments of connecting with nature right outside, reading books that had been on my shelf for years, and watching shows or playing games I already had access to. Even though we often see in society that markers of success look like being able to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a new and shiny status symbol, I focused on my personal values: using what I have first, having a low environmental impact, and living a life that is true to me.
Resting doesn’t have to be complex. It doesn’t have to look like anything in particular. The true art of rest is allowing ourselves to be without an agenda or the need to reach a goal other than to fill our inner wellspring with energy from within.
We ALL deserve rest. I feel very grateful to have made this happen, even through the sticky and challenging feelings I’m sure to explore in upcoming shares.
For now, I’ll leave you with these questions.
How can you enjoy what you have?
What product, book, outfit, etc sitting around your house is eagerly awaiting the day you chose to pick it?
What values would lead your sabbatical if you were to take one (or have taken one)?
All My Love,
Safrianna Lughna
The Queer-Spirit Guide
If my sabbatical journey resonated with you, and you're feeling called to rediscover your authentic self, consider booking a ReAwakening Ritual session with me, Safrianna Lughna, The Queer-Spirit Guide.
In these personalized sessions, we'll work together to release old patterns, relax into your true self, remember your soul's desires, reignite your passions, and recommit to your purpose. Through a combination of energy work, guided reflection, and symbolic practices, you'll create space for profound self-discovery and renewal.
Whether you're seeking to celebrate your identity, make a quantum leap in your personal growth, or integrate recent self-development work, a ReAwakening Ritual can help you align with your values and embrace a more intentional way of living.
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