The Routine of Distraction

I have been a bit quiet lately.

Introspection is a very natural state for me. Sitting, pondering, pen in hand, notebook, a cup of tea, something sweet. That is a state of being I can exist in quite possibly forever.

During moments of quiet I am communing with something larger than myself. Sometimes praying, sometimes listening, most times just talking, everything makes sense in these moments. It often feels as if I am gifted a set of coordinates and my path is made clear.

Then I step out of contemplation and into the world of doing and things get muddy. Suddenly there is opposition, opinions, obstacles. I find myself shrinking, changing, complying-becoming ever too aware of other people and their role in what I am creating and doing.

I envy people who seem to be undeterred. The people who can seemingly march through life unaffected by anything as they continue on their set course undeterred.
I wonder if it’s as easy for them as it seems. So few things are. I wonder if they worked hard to be this way or if it was part of their identity from birth.

I am often detoured off my set path.
I change course because of an obstacle rather than charging over, through or removing what is blocking my way.
I prefer to journey two-days off course rather than deal with an obstacle-especially if that obstacle appears in the form of another person.

Sometimes this is a lovely way to be. I can float through, discover scenery and places I hadn’t planned and still land at my destination point.

Lately however it has felt that the more detours I take, the more obstacles that show up. I fatigue easily when challenged and it usually leads to my wanting to be at a table in a quiet kitchen with a cup of tea, a journal, a pen and my quiet introspection. The tangible of this world never really lures me the same as the deeper meanings do.

And recently I have been wanting to change this just a bit.

I am tired of forever detouring.
I am tired of letting my plans slide.

During my quiet time this week I realized that being flexible, enjoying a detour are beautiful gifts. It is not something I need to change. Rather I need to add a little discipline.

I need to train my mind to focus on what is important. To block out distractions and all the noise of a world that would forever have me bouncing around from one detour to another all the while stuck in traffic.

It is my easily distracted mind that needs tending.
My passions, my purpose that need my focus.
So I have retreated to strengthen myself.
To make sure that the work I am doing is what I am meaning to do and not just part of the routine of distraction.

I desire real connection with others.
I desire joy, peace, art-making and a thriving creative business that supports all of this.

So I am going back to what I love-writing and making art.
I am pulling away from YouTube (again) since it really doesn’t bring me joy.
I am making my art, finding my style and focusing on doing my thing and sharing it in a way that also feels like me.

I wonder what detours are showing up in your own life.
I would love to hear, please feel free to reply to this email so we can support each other.

In the meantime I am going to keep sharing my podcasts, blog posts, Letters to Creatives and Dilettante TV (and planning to add some more vlog style videos). And soon, I hope to be sharing some more of my art with you.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

You can also follow me on Substack here.