“Oscillate, Annie, oscillate”, is what I keep telling myself recently. I’m not sure where I came across the idea of oscillation, but it stuck with me. Basically, the concept is that it’s beneficial to switch between different activities and to change your focus throughout the day. Seems like a no brainer, right? But for me, it’s so easy to get consumed with one thing, with moving in one direction. And right now that is pottery – I want to spend all day, every day in my studio creating!
Part of me is like, this is a good thing; I’m following my passion. But as I take a look back, I notice my tendency is to go all in when I’m pursuing something – to give all my time and energy – to become singularly focused. The end result was always burnout. I did this with my involvement in church community, with my educational journey, and with my professional roles. So I ask myself: how can I do things differently this time around? How can I protect the joy pottery brings me?
In 2019, I moved to Oregon for a simpler lifestyle and to make room for my soul to breathe. With this quieter space, the things that really add to my wholeness and well-being rose to the top:
- time in nature (hikes along the beautiful Oregon coast)
- meditation & reading (couch time with my dog Louie)
- jam sessions with Jeffrey (me on bass guitar)
- caring for my home & ½ acre (gardening & tidying up)
- a creative practice (pottery!)
I found cycling through these activities brought fulfillment and joy. So now that I’m feeling the old familiar pull to go all in – to spend every minute in the pottery studio, I whisper to myself: “oscillate”. Don’t forget the activities that fill your heart and soul. Go to the beach, make music with Jeff, spend time with your flowers, clean the gutters, and keep up the weekly housekeeping. It’s in the variation of activities that creates wholeness and balance. So I give thanks for the strong desire to create and I try to protect it by oscillating.
