I really enjoyed this post and really appreciate how you are storing to evolve. It really resonated Karen. I feel so fortunate to have found your newsletter. Actually, you found me!
I can relate to so much of what you shared here...being serious all the time, wanting to actually experience the joy and delight in my life instead of letting it pass by, and I even find myself plowing through things that I think are fun (like writing and journaling). This summer I've been playing with the idea of seeing my office as a 'writing lab' and it's been inspiring and bit of fun and experimentation, thus far!
I have always heard “your too serious” since I was a young girl~ but like you I come alive with little children ~ kary my spouse is naturally carefree~ so we complement each other~ I really loved this ~ we have new baby birds in our tree again❤️
600 readers, wow! I had no idea. That is incredible Karen. Just wanted to drop in and say congratulations. I still read your posts every week after meeting you in a shout out thread last year. I'm still looking for my first 100 readers, and knowing your readers found you gives me hope that my readers must be out there too ✨️
Thank you Uncle Bill. "Thought-filled" seems an appropriate description and while I don't want to be "thoughtless" and would rather be "thoughtful", I think I'd like it to be a little more quiet in there too! :)
Nothing as good as young children to keep that playfulness alive! I think maybe this is why there's always a part of us that doesn't feel like an adult! In some ways maybe we never are - and that's ok!
Yes! Whatever imago you identify with in your life! My aunts and great-aunts were very special in allowing me to be me as a child. So, Aunt Karen will encourage, nurture, and let you run a little loose while making sure you are safe. The Aunt Karen you give will also be the potential "Aunt Karen" archetype you get. :-)
In a bit of synchronicity, someone in my self-compassion study group this morning was talking about how to let ourselves be challenged and not go into overwhelm and suggested "bringing my inner adult into the room". So Aunt Karen it is - because Aunt Karen was also very mama bear. :)
Somewhere inside you that free, fresh, curious, joyous little girl remains and is not needing to be created. She already exists. She just wants to be set free. And only Adult Karen can give her permission to do that. Mature Karen will watch out for her without stifling her. ;-)
I love that - and I read "adult Karen" as "Aunt Karen" which is actually perfect because I was always good at encouraging curiosity and creativity when my nieces and nephews were little!
I love the points you made about play. I do the same thing. Make myself do things (journal, workout, take self-help courses), but always have an end-goal in mind. When the true point of the act was to enjoy and let go.
This reminds me of a time when my husband and I were on vacation one April. We rented a cottage in the countryside and there was a field of sheep and young lambs behind us. One day I saw three little lambs having races with each other. Just like children would.
Curiosity is a good way to approach one's health situation, better than lamenting about it (which I often find myself doing). I will try to remember this. Take care x
100% And trusting there is something to be learned - I am learning so much. Might not have been my preferred way, but I'm trying to trust the universe knows best!
Such a wonderful post Karen and I love your curiosity. I can relate to the "you are too serious" I have heard that said to me many times in my life. It wasn't until my children were born that I got better at lightening up and playing more. It has actually helped my pain too! One thing I do is find a hill and roll down it...a great wiggle for the nerves and so fun! My kids love to do it with me and we laugh. You can't help but laugh. Before I get glued to the chair to write my deal with myself is to move first ( run or walk or yoga..anything that I enjoy). Keep up the great work! You are not alone.
Thank you Julie. I was better at this when my nieces and nephews were young. I can go right to that mode with young children. I love the picture of rolling down the hill!
I really enjoyed this post and really appreciate how you are storing to evolve. It really resonated Karen. I feel so fortunate to have found your newsletter. Actually, you found me!
Thank you Vasant. I think they universe found us both.
I can relate to so much of what you shared here...being serious all the time, wanting to actually experience the joy and delight in my life instead of letting it pass by, and I even find myself plowing through things that I think are fun (like writing and journaling). This summer I've been playing with the idea of seeing my office as a 'writing lab' and it's been inspiring and bit of fun and experimentation, thus far!
I love that idea! Maybe I even need to draw a fun sign, like a kid would!
Yes! I have a sign to the right of my desk and it makes all the difference! :)
I have always heard “your too serious” since I was a young girl~ but like you I come alive with little children ~ kary my spouse is naturally carefree~ so we complement each other~ I really loved this ~ we have new baby birds in our tree again❤️
I need to find a Kary! I love that you have new baby birds in your tree.!
Made me think of this podcast on fun: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/laurie-gets-a-fun-tervention-part-one (two parter)
Still always working on being less productive and more playful!
Well I probably listened to that podcast and I can’t even remember it! I guess I better listen again!!
600 readers, wow! I had no idea. That is incredible Karen. Just wanted to drop in and say congratulations. I still read your posts every week after meeting you in a shout out thread last year. I'm still looking for my first 100 readers, and knowing your readers found you gives me hope that my readers must be out there too ✨️
Thanks Hayley - your readers are definitely out there! I love reading your posts.
Thank you - such a great post. Love the ideas about play
Thank you Jo
Karen, rather than serious I always have thought of you as "thought-filled". And I can remember some. truly hilarious moments.
Thank you Uncle Bill. "Thought-filled" seems an appropriate description and while I don't want to be "thoughtless" and would rather be "thoughtful", I think I'd like it to be a little more quiet in there too! :)
Yes👍❤️
Beautiful pictures…. I’m 70 years old and still don’t have the answers 🤷🏻♀️😬
Being around the granddaughters and playing games with them keep me playful and curious ❤️👍
Nothing as good as young children to keep that playfulness alive! I think maybe this is why there's always a part of us that doesn't feel like an adult! In some ways maybe we never are - and that's ok!
Yes! Whatever imago you identify with in your life! My aunts and great-aunts were very special in allowing me to be me as a child. So, Aunt Karen will encourage, nurture, and let you run a little loose while making sure you are safe. The Aunt Karen you give will also be the potential "Aunt Karen" archetype you get. :-)
In a bit of synchronicity, someone in my self-compassion study group this morning was talking about how to let ourselves be challenged and not go into overwhelm and suggested "bringing my inner adult into the room". So Aunt Karen it is - because Aunt Karen was also very mama bear. :)
Somewhere inside you that free, fresh, curious, joyous little girl remains and is not needing to be created. She already exists. She just wants to be set free. And only Adult Karen can give her permission to do that. Mature Karen will watch out for her without stifling her. ;-)
I love that - and I read "adult Karen" as "Aunt Karen" which is actually perfect because I was always good at encouraging curiosity and creativity when my nieces and nephews were little!
I love the points you made about play. I do the same thing. Make myself do things (journal, workout, take self-help courses), but always have an end-goal in mind. When the true point of the act was to enjoy and let go.
Yes! That's it exactly.
This reminds me of a time when my husband and I were on vacation one April. We rented a cottage in the countryside and there was a field of sheep and young lambs behind us. One day I saw three little lambs having races with each other. Just like children would.
Curiosity is a good way to approach one's health situation, better than lamenting about it (which I often find myself doing). I will try to remember this. Take care x
Oh those lambs must have been fun to watch! And yes, it is a better mindset - and it's hard sometimes!!
They were. And we are both doing our best with our respective health challenges. As I wrote this week, progress not perfection
100% And trusting there is something to be learned - I am learning so much. Might not have been my preferred way, but I'm trying to trust the universe knows best!
Such a wonderful post Karen and I love your curiosity. I can relate to the "you are too serious" I have heard that said to me many times in my life. It wasn't until my children were born that I got better at lightening up and playing more. It has actually helped my pain too! One thing I do is find a hill and roll down it...a great wiggle for the nerves and so fun! My kids love to do it with me and we laugh. You can't help but laugh. Before I get glued to the chair to write my deal with myself is to move first ( run or walk or yoga..anything that I enjoy). Keep up the great work! You are not alone.
Thank you Julie. I was better at this when my nieces and nephews were young. I can go right to that mode with young children. I love the picture of rolling down the hill!
I've spent chunks of the last two mornings watching all the young birds inhabiting the tree outside my window harass their beleaguered parents.
It's so fun to watch!