Ashley, once again, thank you for sharing! Do you know Krishnamurti's quote, "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."? Your piece is the embodiment of that realization. I hope many find your words and make essential changes.
I had to get Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome in the midst of writing a doctoral dissertation while being a single mother to a toddler to finally see that being an overachieving "doer" was not the way to a fulfilling life. I quite literally couldn't get out of bed. I would get up, take my son to preschool, and then come home and go back to bed. I ended up walking away from my dissertation...taking a Masters option for work already completed and working through the grief of not finishing my doctorate. I got a PhD in motherhood instead, which has imparted worlds more wisdom than a document that languishes on a library shelf. I, like you, returned to the woods and used that time as a moving meditation....and rebuilt my life from the ground up with spaciousness for being. Spaciousness for being is in fact, pure gold and the best part of having a human experience.
That is such a great quote, thank you for sharing Lisa. I really appreciate you sharing parts of your journey here with us. I resonate with so much of it, including dropping out of a PhD program. I love the way you articulated rebuilding your life from the ground up in the woods too. Thank you for being part of this larger conversation ❤️
Love this. Paying attention is perhaps a lost art - I know I've lost it and found it and now trying to keep it - in my recovery. Such a simple idea yet so hard at times living in today's world. thank you for the reminders.
We have so much innate wisdom available to us, but here in the world of form, everything conspires against us believing that. We are constantly bombarded with the insistence of everyone else's ideas about success and true wholeness . Thanks for this vulnerable sharing of how damaging it is to get sucked into that narrative.
Took the words right out of my mouth! I recently (ish, 1 year ago) moved from the city to the country, and am so appreciative of the space it’s given me to breathe outside the hustle and overconsumption of the city. It’s really forced me to slow down and I love that, as someone who also found herself burnt out a few years ago.
I so much enjoyed reading your article. I have been suffering from burn out participating in the ratt race.
Last December I moved to some place else. A small hometown in England.
The rhythm there is different and it is calming me down but at the same time I have kept my old lifestyle and the old job and it is always a thorn as they keep pulling me back .
Back to the hectic lifestyle of the city, back to the race.
I have been experiencing so much stress because of that and I have purchased a lot of expensive supplements to counteract the side effects.
Now I'm reading what you are saying and how much rest, play and nature is therapeutic.
Thank you Yannis. I hear you regarding suffering from burn out in the rat race. I also get moving out of large metropolitan areas and still being confronted with the same issues I faced in big city living. There is that famous quote, “where ever you go, there you are.” Lifestyle changes have been the most painstaking for me to make and in many ways the most rewarding. 💫
Beautiful piece. Thank you Ashley! Whenever I feel myself getting sucked back in to wellness consumer culture I stop everything and just refocus on whole foods. (In trying to type that my phone autocorrected to Whole Foods over and over again….) I’m convinced that if we are eating well, that’s more than enough.
I love that practice Gracie, so simple and so nourishing. I am with you that eating well is foundational. Thank you for jumping into the conversation it is wonderful to connect ❤️
When you listen carefully to the messages your body is sending, and respond to the invitation to rest and restore, you will do yourself and those closest to you a great favor. The body tells the truth. The mind would do well to listen to the body and then act accordingly.
Thank you for writing this article and for putting into words how I feel. I’m taking a sick day to rest. I’ve been constantly sick over the past month, trying to push through with supplements. What my body needs is rest. I’m glad that you moved out of LA and into a healthier setting. Blessings to you.
I am so glad to read you are taking a sick day to rest Michele. I totally hear you on being sick and trying to push through with supplements too. My body continues to need rest over more stuff ;) Thank you for sharing and being part of this conversation 💫
Congratulations on recognizing and learning this while your kids are still young Ashley. My last post is on much the same topic but from slightly different angle. Really enjoyed this piece. Great writing.
Thank you Kim. I appreciate you naming that piece about having this awareness while my kids are young. I am looking forward to reading your post today while my kids are napping ;) Ill see you over there ❤️
It's so hard to recognise the water we are swimming in. Thanks for your candid account of your wake up call Ashley. What a crazy capitalist world we are living in...
Whoa! $22 matcha 🤯🤯 it’s about $8AU here which is considered a lot!
And the Hailey Bieber skin smoothie… omg I’m so glad I’m not young and impressionable (and foolish) anymore, I’d be bankrupt. I really feel for young women especially, this kind of celeb branding and marketing is disgusting (can you tell it makes me angry?!)
Prices in LA are so unhinged. It is such a strange bubble. I am right there with you in being grateful for getting older. I have deep feeling about celebrity marketing too targeting young women, that and all the social media craziness that is so harmful for them. I am often grateful to have grown up in a time before all of this really took hold. Celeb marketing has been here for decades but it is much more widespread now. All this to say, right there with you!
Ashley, once again, thank you for sharing! Do you know Krishnamurti's quote, "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."? Your piece is the embodiment of that realization. I hope many find your words and make essential changes.
I had to get Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome in the midst of writing a doctoral dissertation while being a single mother to a toddler to finally see that being an overachieving "doer" was not the way to a fulfilling life. I quite literally couldn't get out of bed. I would get up, take my son to preschool, and then come home and go back to bed. I ended up walking away from my dissertation...taking a Masters option for work already completed and working through the grief of not finishing my doctorate. I got a PhD in motherhood instead, which has imparted worlds more wisdom than a document that languishes on a library shelf. I, like you, returned to the woods and used that time as a moving meditation....and rebuilt my life from the ground up with spaciousness for being. Spaciousness for being is in fact, pure gold and the best part of having a human experience.
That is such a great quote, thank you for sharing Lisa. I really appreciate you sharing parts of your journey here with us. I resonate with so much of it, including dropping out of a PhD program. I love the way you articulated rebuilding your life from the ground up in the woods too. Thank you for being part of this larger conversation ❤️
Ashley, I love hearing how you are thriving now...it sounds really blessed and beautiful. 💗
Love this. Paying attention is perhaps a lost art - I know I've lost it and found it and now trying to keep it - in my recovery. Such a simple idea yet so hard at times living in today's world. thank you for the reminders.
You are welcome Rhaine, thank you for sharing some of your experience here too. I really get losing your attention it and finding it.
We have so much innate wisdom available to us, but here in the world of form, everything conspires against us believing that. We are constantly bombarded with the insistence of everyone else's ideas about success and true wholeness . Thanks for this vulnerable sharing of how damaging it is to get sucked into that narrative.
Thank you for this beautiful articulation of what so many of us experience Marla. That narrative really is damaging. Grateful for your share.
Thanks so much for this. So well written as always. This resonates so much. Much love
Thank you Caroline. Thinking of you <3
Took the words right out of my mouth! I recently (ish, 1 year ago) moved from the city to the country, and am so appreciative of the space it’s given me to breathe outside the hustle and overconsumption of the city. It’s really forced me to slow down and I love that, as someone who also found herself burnt out a few years ago.
It’s good to note that learning to sit with and process hard feelings is also self care. Great article, thank you!
Yes Sarah, so well said. Thank you for taking the time to read and connect here ❤️
Dear Asley,
I so much enjoyed reading your article. I have been suffering from burn out participating in the ratt race.
Last December I moved to some place else. A small hometown in England.
The rhythm there is different and it is calming me down but at the same time I have kept my old lifestyle and the old job and it is always a thorn as they keep pulling me back .
Back to the hectic lifestyle of the city, back to the race.
I have been experiencing so much stress because of that and I have purchased a lot of expensive supplements to counteract the side effects.
Now I'm reading what you are saying and how much rest, play and nature is therapeutic.
I might still have time to make it right.
Thank you Yannis. I hear you regarding suffering from burn out in the rat race. I also get moving out of large metropolitan areas and still being confronted with the same issues I faced in big city living. There is that famous quote, “where ever you go, there you are.” Lifestyle changes have been the most painstaking for me to make and in many ways the most rewarding. 💫
Beautiful piece. Thank you Ashley! Whenever I feel myself getting sucked back in to wellness consumer culture I stop everything and just refocus on whole foods. (In trying to type that my phone autocorrected to Whole Foods over and over again….) I’m convinced that if we are eating well, that’s more than enough.
I love that practice Gracie, so simple and so nourishing. I am with you that eating well is foundational. Thank you for jumping into the conversation it is wonderful to connect ❤️
When you listen carefully to the messages your body is sending, and respond to the invitation to rest and restore, you will do yourself and those closest to you a great favor. The body tells the truth. The mind would do well to listen to the body and then act accordingly.
Well said Gary!
Thank you for writing this article and for putting into words how I feel. I’m taking a sick day to rest. I’ve been constantly sick over the past month, trying to push through with supplements. What my body needs is rest. I’m glad that you moved out of LA and into a healthier setting. Blessings to you.
I am so glad to read you are taking a sick day to rest Michele. I totally hear you on being sick and trying to push through with supplements too. My body continues to need rest over more stuff ;) Thank you for sharing and being part of this conversation 💫
Great essay! I am finding it hard to slow down amidst all the pressure.
Thank you so much Caroline. I hear you about the pressure!
Thank you for candor in writing this Ashley. Welcome home.
Mmmm, holding your welcome this morning❤️
Congratulations on recognizing and learning this while your kids are still young Ashley. My last post is on much the same topic but from slightly different angle. Really enjoyed this piece. Great writing.
Thank you Kim. I appreciate you naming that piece about having this awareness while my kids are young. I am looking forward to reading your post today while my kids are napping ;) Ill see you over there ❤️
It's so hard to recognise the water we are swimming in. Thanks for your candid account of your wake up call Ashley. What a crazy capitalist world we are living in...
It really is Dr. Vicki. Such a crazy capitalist world, I think about this so much. x
Thank you, this really resonated with me
Xx
Thank you for letting me know Susanna. 💫
Whoa! $22 matcha 🤯🤯 it’s about $8AU here which is considered a lot!
And the Hailey Bieber skin smoothie… omg I’m so glad I’m not young and impressionable (and foolish) anymore, I’d be bankrupt. I really feel for young women especially, this kind of celeb branding and marketing is disgusting (can you tell it makes me angry?!)
Prices in LA are so unhinged. It is such a strange bubble. I am right there with you in being grateful for getting older. I have deep feeling about celebrity marketing too targeting young women, that and all the social media craziness that is so harmful for them. I am often grateful to have grown up in a time before all of this really took hold. Celeb marketing has been here for decades but it is much more widespread now. All this to say, right there with you!
Love this share and such an important topic to talk sbout x
Thank you so much Hannah <3