I am taking a break
A year since The Dogist, Tugboat's birthday and my decision to take a month off
Hello Beautiful Human,
Today is a very special day at The Dr. Waffle House. It is Tugboat’s third birthday. It’s hard to believe that she is three years old but then again, as I look at her — fully grown into a beautiful labrador — I see that time really is passing as quickly as it seems to be.
In addition to being Tuggie’s birthday, today also marks a year since Elias restructured The Dogist. It’s wild to think that it has been a year since then. And then again, just like Tuggie growing right in front of my eyes, it’s not wild at all. It is time in action — it is the reality of life we face each day. Time never changes even though we surely do.
This morning, I am writing to let you know that I will be taking a month off of writing here on Substack.
I will be pausing paid subscriptions for which I am infinitely grateful and also heavily reliant upon because my body needs a break.
My body is exhausted — in every single way — and as much as I keep trying to push — to grind — to force myself into creative action, my body has ceased to be able to do so. The fugue state I had two weeks ago said it all. I am exhausted and dysregulated in my entirety and it is a reality I can no longer ignore. On top of that, and what wears on me most of all, is that my body has ceased to be able to show up for you the way you show up for me — with consistent love, support, and respect.
So, for the month of April, I will be taking a break from this space — from your love and kindness — while I learn to give love and kindness to myself in the form of deep rest. My hope is that with a month without deadlines or concerns that I am letting you all down here, I will find my way back to my creative, energetic self.
Please know my decision is not for lack of deep appreciation for you and your endless acceptance of me and my many inconsistent words and creative acts. I am doing this because I value you so deeply. I am doing this because I want to honor you the way you honor me. Truthfully, you have been nothing short of remarkable with your unconditional and loving support as I show up in a myriad of ways. It is merely time that I do the same for myself.
Of course, I don’t know if a month off will do the trick but today, as terrified as I am to pause something that affords me a living, I bravely step into my power to make a life. Yes, today, terrified, I do it anyway. I bravely step into my power to listen to myself and honor what I hear, as best I can.
So, without further ado, I’m off to rest – fully, deeply, completely.
I look forward to seeing you again in May.
Until then, I love you all.
Kindly,
Kate
Rest. Take care of you. 💜💜💜
Sending lots of love. Rest well. 💜