Recalibrate— as many times as needed
Greetings everyone— we have officially entered the season of autumn. Here, it is apparent by the chill in the air, the multiple layers of clothing that may be needed throughout the day, and even by the way our routines are shifting.
When the theme of Recalibration was set for the month of September— it was done with the idea that all of us are shifting gears, needing to continue to make adjustments depending on our roles, the seasons, and the changing needs of ourselves and those around us. What has this particular September taught us so far?
For me, it really connects to the interview you’ll be hearing this weekend from Erica. In my role as a mother, the month of September always is a time of transition and new routine development. This year, added to that are the second year of homeschooling and the new role of being an entrepreneur.
Let’s start with what I already knew— this month would take more time and grace with more room to recalibrate. The theme reflected that, I recorded interviews over a month ahead, created blog posts for the month early, etc. What I did not realize was just how much energy and time recalibrating would take with the addition of two more significant life roles and that isn’t even considering the context of the environment and world around me.
If you’ve ever been part of financial budgeting, particularly for bigger projects, you may have heard the phrase— whatever you think it will cost take that times two. What if I applied that same concept to time and energy? Our upcoming conversation with Erica offers us the chance to wonder how those financial budgeting principles might apply to other aspects of life more than we recognize.
That realization left me with a few options when it came to making decisions about the blog—
Photo below by James Wheeler from Pexels
And sometimes the path is waiting to be made (Image description: Fork in the Road among fir trees)Path #1:
Push through and write anyway by staying up later, engaging with family and friends less, or spending less energy on kicking off the homeschooling year.
Path #2:
Write but write less frequently or shorter posts, post what is already scheduled and hope there are no comments that I do not have time to respond to timely.
Path #3:
Acknowledge that recalibration takes more time and energy than I budgeted and actually take the time and energy to get the school year off to a good start, prepare our home for the transition of seasons (Side note: How is it that even when you get winter gear a season ahead kids grow even more so your well intended preparation doesn’t quite work?— and have you ever tried to buy winter gear during the actual season of winter in MN— it’s not as easy to find as you might think), and begin posting regularly again by October 1.
As you can tell, I chose path 3— not without a lot of self questioning, but ultimately with emerging clarity. How did this decision get reached?
By beginning with why.
Why do I post regularly on the blog?
To have a place where we come together to have real, honest conversations about how we individually and collectively navigate the ongoing process of living lives well occupied.
To create spaces where people expand their understanding and compassion for one another and the context in which all of our day to day living and decisions happen.
The next question to myself— can you achieve your why by pushing through and posting at the same rate?
Answer— no. Heck no.
Something would have to give for me to do that and the consequences of that would be too great. Our families and children are also adjusting to this new season— what would happen if I gave them the attention, energy and time they fully need. If I’m truly honest with myself— this is the first year since they have been of school age that I’ve fully given myself permission to do so and the results speak for themselves. Our home is in order and the children are mostly happy and enjoying learning.
Path three also meets my why for homeschooling— I want to be able to adapt to the unknown with greater grace, ease, and flexibility that allows our entire family to flourish. One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given by homeschooling parents was this— at the end of the day the number one goal is to connect. The learning comes naturally after that. I’m still learning how to do that best, but we are figuring it out and that is the whole goal.
It’s amazing how when setting our home and homeschooling routine became priority, other aspects and roles of life get easier as well. I partly write this to remember it next year or any other time things take longer than I think they should take, while also hoping it may help honor some of your own experiences as well.
Would I take a cake out of an oven to eat when it wasn’t fully baked? Definitely not— and I don’t need to try to have all sorts of half baked activities and roles in life either— and neither do you dear reader.
You might be reading this and thinking— well isn’t that sweet and overly simplistic. Please note I do not share this from the place of having all the answers— rather the opposite. In living over 40 years of life— I’m finally feeling like I may have some answers and double that in more questions. The questions may be the most helpful— things as simple as “Why am I doing this?” and “Does this still make sense?” or “What is possible now?”
Now, the other part of this story I feel compelled to share with you is that I had over a month of content prepared and ready to share with you. It was technically possible to schedule it and put it out there anyway. I did not choose that option because it doesn’t meet my why. I want this to be a safe space for all people to rethink what it means to be human and live lives well occupied. Even if I posted, I would not be holding the space for conversation. Sure, I could say— well, no one will probably comment at this stage anyway— just put things out there. Yet that does not sit right with me. It does not honor the stories shared and reflections that arise from considering the content posted here. With that in mind— I made the decision to pause, regroup, and recalibrate.
New rhythms and routines for October
You’ll have the chance to hear from even more voices in October as we continue the theme of recalibrate. October’s original theme plan can wait another month as we accept sometimes the best we can do is to pause, regroup, and begin again. Whether your September is feeling in flux or steady— may this find you noticing what you as individuals and the groups of which you belong to need to be at their best in this time.
Thank you for your patience. We look forward to recalibrating right along with you in the days to come.
