This week marks the beginning of fall (here in the Northern hemisphere). It’s a time of dramatic change in the natural world (think days getting shorter, squirrels gathering nuts, etc). It is also a time when the pace of life seems to speed up for a lot of us.
I’ve heard a lot of people talking about how busy they are right now, and I’m definitely feeling it myself.
At the same time, I know that a lot of us feel like fall can signal a new beginning in certain ways. Ingrained within our culture is the feeling of a “new school year” and the idea of getting a fresh start again. Which can be exciting, but also daunting if we are also feeling everything pile on at the same time.
So I’d like to open a thread to explore these ideas together with our change community here — check-in a bit with each other and share some of the challenges we’re facing.
How are you feeling about the pace of life and work right now?
Do you feel rushed right now? If so, what challenges are you feeling because of it?
I’m really interested to hear from you! Share your check-in in the Comments below.
There are still some spots left but time is running out. Learn more at this recent post. Email me at murawski27@gmail.com if you have questions. We have such a great group, and I’m really excited to share more!
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As a consultant, I'm feeling what I think is a result of the pandemic, where many projects got put on hold or "started and stopped and started" in 2020-2021 and then more new projects also started to develop late last year. And now we are experiencing a log jam of work like I've never seen with many projects (some of them 3 years long bc of the pandemic) ending at the same time. I wish it hadn't turned out this way, but it has taught me its OK to say NO (or just Not Now) and that feels good. Grateful to be busy, but also hoping things settle down in 2023.
I hear you, Stephanie. This fall certainly feels different due to the impact of the pandemic on our work these past few years, and now we're transitioning into yet another phase of this pandemic (I'm not quite ready to say "post-pandemic," but something that feels more like that perhaps). For me, the return of in-person conferences has changed the rhythm of work this fall, too. I forget what it was like to participate in a conference in person, so it's going to feel a bit awkward -- but I'm also really excited to connect with colleagues face-to-face (in real life!).
Good luck with your fall log jam of work, and cheers to saying No (or Not Now) more often : )
I have been readjusting to full-time work over the past few months. As things become a little busier in my new role, I'm seeing the benefits of the good routines and habits I was able to establish during a slower period. This short term contract is providing good opportunities for professional development and financial security, and I have been prioritizing my own creative projects outside of work hours. I'm enjoying process, not working towards any specific goals or outcomes.
Susan, I love so much of what you're sharing, especially about appreciating the good routines/habits you developed during a period of slowing down (and holding those as you head into a busier time). Our culture sometimes treats "slow" periods of our life as less successful, less valuable, and less productive, but they can be some of the MOST valuable times for us (and incredibly "productive" in a deeper, personal sense).
like Elizabeth .....saying YES.....but also working on that work / life balance. New work challenge that is filling lots of time is getting used to using new technologies and (what seem like) new post-covid apps. The content is no challenge, and the promise of new ideas at a new gig is exciting; but getting up to speed with how to enter information, write reports, fill in new matrices and charts, master new programs.....this is taking up more time than anticipated.
Sounds like your fall will be filled with learning new systems and apps, and excitement about new work and new ideas. Nice!
I remember someone once told me that the whole "work/life balance" thing is a false dichotomy. We should all be simply working toward a more balanced life -- or "life/life balance." I have always appreciated that thought. It helps me feel less like I'm unsuccessfully juggling two things at once, and simple working to find grounding in my life in a more holistic and interconnected way.
I have created my own rushing. With opportunities abounding, I keep saying "YES!" Each opportunity looks do-able and intriguing, or soul-filling: seeing friends, taking a class, teaching something new, running an initiative. So many delights! Fall is a time when a lot of the laxity of summer dissipates and my delights must suddenly fit in smaller boxes.
As a consultant, I'm feeling what I think is a result of the pandemic, where many projects got put on hold or "started and stopped and started" in 2020-2021 and then more new projects also started to develop late last year. And now we are experiencing a log jam of work like I've never seen with many projects (some of them 3 years long bc of the pandemic) ending at the same time. I wish it hadn't turned out this way, but it has taught me its OK to say NO (or just Not Now) and that feels good. Grateful to be busy, but also hoping things settle down in 2023.
I hear you, Stephanie. This fall certainly feels different due to the impact of the pandemic on our work these past few years, and now we're transitioning into yet another phase of this pandemic (I'm not quite ready to say "post-pandemic," but something that feels more like that perhaps). For me, the return of in-person conferences has changed the rhythm of work this fall, too. I forget what it was like to participate in a conference in person, so it's going to feel a bit awkward -- but I'm also really excited to connect with colleagues face-to-face (in real life!).
Good luck with your fall log jam of work, and cheers to saying No (or Not Now) more often : )
I have been readjusting to full-time work over the past few months. As things become a little busier in my new role, I'm seeing the benefits of the good routines and habits I was able to establish during a slower period. This short term contract is providing good opportunities for professional development and financial security, and I have been prioritizing my own creative projects outside of work hours. I'm enjoying process, not working towards any specific goals or outcomes.
Susan, I love so much of what you're sharing, especially about appreciating the good routines/habits you developed during a period of slowing down (and holding those as you head into a busier time). Our culture sometimes treats "slow" periods of our life as less successful, less valuable, and less productive, but they can be some of the MOST valuable times for us (and incredibly "productive" in a deeper, personal sense).
like Elizabeth .....saying YES.....but also working on that work / life balance. New work challenge that is filling lots of time is getting used to using new technologies and (what seem like) new post-covid apps. The content is no challenge, and the promise of new ideas at a new gig is exciting; but getting up to speed with how to enter information, write reports, fill in new matrices and charts, master new programs.....this is taking up more time than anticipated.
Sounds like your fall will be filled with learning new systems and apps, and excitement about new work and new ideas. Nice!
I remember someone once told me that the whole "work/life balance" thing is a false dichotomy. We should all be simply working toward a more balanced life -- or "life/life balance." I have always appreciated that thought. It helps me feel less like I'm unsuccessfully juggling two things at once, and simple working to find grounding in my life in a more holistic and interconnected way.
Thanks for checking-in here.
I have created my own rushing. With opportunities abounding, I keep saying "YES!" Each opportunity looks do-able and intriguing, or soul-filling: seeing friends, taking a class, teaching something new, running an initiative. So many delights! Fall is a time when a lot of the laxity of summer dissipates and my delights must suddenly fit in smaller boxes.
If you are filling up your schedule with delights and things that are soul-filling, I'd say you're on the right path ; )
I agree with the idea that the laxity of summer fades this time of year, and fall can bring excitement about new things.
Thanks for sharing.