Thoughts on break.
Hiding by choice and finding space to breathe.
I have lived dozens of lives in April. We are only halfway through the month, and yet every day has felt like a lifetime to me.
The last time I wrote a newsletter, I was knee-deep in stress dreams about my teeth falling out. I’m happy to report that my stomach is no longer in knots, my dreams are restful, and I’ve entered a beautiful period of rest and waiting.
Since April 1st, I’ve:
Had a realllllyyyyyy important business meeting that took weeks of preparation and made me sweat profusely
Solo-parented for a week because of family health stuff
Got a haircut
Got the dog a haircut (and splurged on a $3 bandana)
Took two cars to the shop for unrelated car problems (bonus: got to chat with my mechanic, Spero, about Greek food and the Island of Corfu, which shows up in my novel)
Had a full day high-pressure event that required weeks of preparation (more details on that some day 😬😅 )
Finished my novel and sent out dozens of query letters
Went to a state conference in the Poconos for three days
Performed in a circus show
Drove three kids to Pittsburgh to visit my MIL
Watched Jack Black sing made-up songs about Minecraft chicken
There was also work for three jobs, music lessons, and all sorts of other life-giving and life-draining occurrences.
In a past version of myself, I would have rolled two weeks of insanity into more stress, compounding the need for sleep and restoration until my body broke down. But I want to be different, better. I want to be able to recognize periods of fullness and make plans for mental and physical recovery on the back end.
This week?
I’m on a forced spring break.
My kids are on spring break and instead of cramming my days with as much work as possible while feeling guilty over giving them too much screen time and too little play, I’m pressing pause.
Yesterday, I spent a good 20 minutes hiding in a closet at my MIL’s house during an intense game of sardines.
First of all, sitting quietly in a closet alone after 6 hours in the car with three elementary-aged kids? *chef’s kiss*
Secondly, why are we not playing hide and seek more often? Do you know how fun it is to stay as still as possible and hear little voices whisper outside of the space you’re in, trying to analyze where you might be and whether or not you’re cheating—how else would they not be able to find you for this long?
As seekers in the game, we get really good at listening—a rustling of clothes, deep breathing, a shift in the floorboards. Playing hide-and-seek is a full-sensory experience—watching, listening, and feeling a flood of excitement when you find the person you’ve been looking for.
This game feels like a metaphor for my month. April 1-15 had seeker energy: looking around every corner, on high alert, trying to figure out my path.
I’m trying to give hiding energy for the rest of the month. No more hustling for a few days—instead, you can find me on top of a pile of Kohls handbags in the back of a closet, knowing that opportunities and people will find me when the time is right and that pressing pause and being present with my people will reap more than another week of hustle.
Inspiration
🎧 Last week, I watched some of my good friends and authors being their amazing selves at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association conference. Shoutout to Tyler and Franklin for the most engaging and FUN session, and congrats on the release of their new collection of rhythm stick and boomwhacker songs!!
🎧 I’ve been plowing through library books looking for novel comps about coming-of-middle-age stories, and I read this book in a day. I LOVED IT. The characters, the premise, and the observations of parenting a 10 and 8-year-old. All of it. It also made me want to co-write a Hallmark Movie script with Brandon.
Creative
🌟 On Sunday, I got to perform a duo act with my friend Ashley on silks at Secret Circus. The piece was inspired by the Pearla song, “Effort,” and I am just so happy with how it turned out. Click here to watch the full piece.
🌟 Queries are out for my novel! For this first batch, I’ve received exactly 7 rejections, 2 manuscript requests, and 8 no replies so far. I’ll keep you posted as things progress.
Thanks for subscribing and reading. I hope you get a break.
Connect with my work elsewhere:
🎧 listen to my podcast with Kimberly McGlonn
💻 order my children’s book, Rosie Rocks!
📚 visit my fair-pay publishing company, F-flat Books.
🎤 get songwriting support through Songwriting for M.E.