Lull

1.bpspot/-mFkrhdDOknE/Vwb4BqeOEUI/AAAAAAABHfU/aKSrgLXmJpEYfguBUBZWFzweK2dR1BrGw/s1600/LM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">

Lisa-Marie Kerr

Sometimes, we all need a lull. A period of less frenzied activity. A time of creative connection without the pressure of production.

More time to ponder, less time to do.

More time to wander, less time to rue.

I've spent the last month in a state of Lull. At a slower pace. After a deeply-dedicated, lengthy period working on my first illustrated book (I'm revealing the title at the end of this post!!), putting in about 900 hours and putting on about 900 kilos in the process, I've taken this time to walk, read, crochet, eat good food, and do yoga in the sunshine.

I've still had commitments, including finalising the next two books in the ekbooks.au/a-kids-year/" target="_blank">A Kids' Year series (out Aug 2016), finishing research and text for the following two books (out 2017) and writing some articles for magazines and reviews for kids-bookreview/" target="_blank">Kids' Book Review. I've also had some events and promo for ekbooks.au/titles/smile-cry/" target="_blank">Smile Cry, but overall ... the balance has really shifted in my world.

It's been really interesting entering this Lull period because once you're immersed in a more balanced state (rather than having your head perennially buried in work), you can look through your own internal window and really see what's happening out there--perhaps for the first time in a long time. It's been an eye-opening experience for me, looking through that window with some long-forgotten clarity. It's made me realise how very much I need these periods of Lull -- to recalibrate, re-energise, and become re-inspired.

I also think it's helped forge a gentle new direction in my career, and I'm not even sure what that is yet!

I think we're in real danger of diminishing leisure time--touting it as 'lazy' or unproductive. We need it as much as we do our work. Without it, we are unbalanced, sick, angry and FAR from our best in a creative sense. It's the yin to our yang. And it should be slotted and scheduled and given as much importance and dedication as our 'work'.

Work that we love is vital for our wellbeing and contentment, but I'm sorry ... multitasking is dead. Being 'busy' is over. It's pass├⌐. I'd even go so far as to say that being 'busy' is kind of boring now, and I truly hope you never hear me say 'I'm busy' ever again. Do you know why? Because 'busy' is a sickness. And we are killing ourselves with it.

This past month, I've redefined what busy means. I've returned it to its original meaning--that is: 'occupied', as opposed to its more modern meaning 'having a great deal to do'. Having a great deal to do is an illusion. It's a self-imposition. And impositions always end up stressing us, throwing us off balance, or making us frustrated and miserable ... all certain paths to sickness. Of body, soul and mind.

Sometimes I'm simply 'busy' (read: occupied) with resting. Walking. Smearing honey onto sourdough. Staring into space. Ironing sheets (yes, I iron sheets; well, just the top part). Snipping roses. Painting toenails. Baking. Sipping tea in the sunshine. Cuddling my kids. And all of those things, contrary to what the Modern World will have us believe, are as important, if not more so, than producing, achieving, succeeding.

And don't even get me started on the warped idea of what 'success' means now.

We can't achieve, succeed and produce anything wonderful without the time it takes to dream and create. Leisure time gives us that priceless opportunity. And there's NO shame in it.

I want to ask you if you'll be brave enough to do something.

The next time someone asks you to do something, don't say 'I'm too busy/I'm snowed with work'. Instead say something along the lines of 'I'd love to do that for you but I'm going to spending that afternoon reading/walking/baking/sleeping/drinking coffee/staring into space/insert your own vital leisure pursuit here.'

I dare you to help change the false 'busyness' perception we're so entrenched in. I dare you to make it clear that Lull time is just as important, if not more, than 'work' time. I dare you to make it clear that we will take NO MORE lull-shaming.