Hello. Yeah, it’s been a while

I’m baa-aack. Well, kind of. I’m here, today, writing. It’s been quite some time since my last post, and a lot can happen in 3 years. And in fact, lots has happened since I was last here, writing, but that’s not necessarily what’s inspired me to write today. One of the more notable things that has happened since I stopped posting here on this blog is that I started studying and became qualified as a Yoga Therapist. I include that here because that is, in fact, what made me take a break from writing in this way in this space. The requirements for that course – at least initially – made me decide to put this blog on the back-burner until things felt more spacious time-wise. During the course, however, life circumstances changed and then I couldn't decide how or if to rebrand this blog to increase its use to readers. These were the things that kept me away from this space for quite a bit longer than I anticipated.

Yet here I am now. “Hello. Yeah, it’s been a while. Not much, how ‘bout you?” Whenever I hear the phrase ‘it’s been a while’, I cannot help but singing I’d Really Love to See You Tonight, by England Dan and John Ford (whom, by-the-by, the internet/AI refers to as a soft rock duo, which somehow tickles me no end!). If you’re a certain age and grew up in a certain place, you might know the song too. It’s about calling someone you haven’t seen for a long time and basically asking if they want to meet up. In wondering how to come back to writing, this song has been going round in my head for months now. The only conclusion I’ve come to in relation to coming back to writing is that I just need to do it. Which is why I’m here, now, talking about a song by a 70’s soft rock duo. Though my website has been updated and my business offers a bit more, right now must not be the time to re-brand my blog. Right now is maybe just the time to start writing blog posts again and see where I end up. Because to start something new or to re-start something you once did, you really don’t need to have it all figured out. Or maybe just in this case, I don’t need to have it all figured out.

This post, and these thoughts, are how I’m showing myself some compassion today. I’m allowing myself to do something that helps me and that I love even though I’m not 100% sure how it will go and where this will all end up. I’m not even sure I’ll be inspired to write like this for another 3 years. But I’m doing it now, because it feels right to do. And I am being kind with myself both for having taken such a long break and for not having everything all figured out just now. Showing myself that kindness is how I know that I have grown quite a bit in terms of self-compassion, though I’m certain there’s room for even more growth in this area of my life. That was actually the whole purpose of this blog when I started it – to write about self-compassion – and look, here I am practicing it!

Maybe you’ve started something that you loved and was good for you; maybe you had to put it down for various reasons as well. But that doesn’t mean you can never do it again. It might just mean it wasn’t the right time to continue with it. You can always start anew at a time when it feels more possible. That’s what I’m doing. I’m not gonna beat myself up for stopping. I’m not gonna beat myself up for being away for so long. What I am going to do is remind myself that I’m here now and that’s what matters. Today matters. I can’t change what’s happened and I can’t know what will happen. Today is all I’ve got, and so that’s what matters. When you’re ready, you might come back to that thing you used to do for you too. Just remember to be gentle with yourself regardless of whether you do or don't. A little more self-compassion never hurt anyone.