So be one of those 100%.

I have to thank you so much for your incredible words of encouragement. You are just wonderful. Thank you. Now, I’m raring to get back to writing.

I think the problem with a lot of us artistic and self employed types is we love what we do, so it’s that much harder to take downtime. The corporate types don’t seem to have the same problem, or at least not in the same way (they’re more stressed about whether they’ll have a job to go back to on their return, or who is politically doing what to undermine them while they’re gone.)

So yeah, the stress of getting ready to go may be a part of it, but also it’s like cutting out in the middle of childbirth to take a break. In a way I think it might be just a bit easier for you, Robin, if only because your projects are bigger and more long term, and you’re not working on 7-10 at the same time, though that also carries a different sort of stress, since one book bombing would have a much worse impact on you than one website bombing for me. I also could be wrong, considering I don’t know exactly all that your publisher is throwing at you. Those types of expectations would send me up a wall. I could NOT handle any of it.

Heather, you’re my kinda people, though truthfully, I’ve honed the art of procrastination so thoroughly that I usually put off decorating the house until next Christmas . . . every Christmas.

And came home to find my schedule for the Buzz Tour that starts on Sunday, and more about that later, but WHEN AM I GOING TO SLEEP?

Anyway, Patrick, great to see other people with that fifth-grade humor. Thank you.

Heather, can’t believe you confessed that about the tree. Good for you, but you are such a Christmas violator. But again, thank you for your bravery in confessing.

Vc, I so agree that slowing down allows us to enjoy life more. It’s just funny how deliberate we all have to be about remembering that. Slowing down–at least for me–has to be a conscious choice.

And Miri, you’re so right about illness stepping in to knock some sense into you. That was my problem last fall. I was ignoring all the signs that I was letting it all get to me, and so bam! The body had to step in. This is another thing I have to deliberately remember. It’s a lesson I’ve had to repeat too many times (sounds like you have, too!).

And when circumstances literally do not allow you to live at a slower pace, the human body has this neat defense mechanism called illness. I was sick for most of January, but it was some of the most relaxing time I’ve had in ages. My knee’s acting up, meaning I can’t run all over creation during drama practices, which also means that I’m not tired and short with people at same.

It’s still better to actually choose to take a vacation, but sometimes one will be handed to you whether you want it or not. Pay attention.

(Good post, Robin!)

And BTW, I finally took down my Christmas tree this weekend.

Enjoy life…. because you can’t take it with you. Slowing down allows you to enjoy it more….

And I thought this was a continuation of “Coffee Makes You Poop” or “Internal Cleansing By Ingesting Soap”

Did da Vinci hide that in a cryptex?