doing less

January 2024 (Issue #42)

Welcome to a love letter, a monthly publication from artist, writer and yoga teacher Colby Mackenzie featuring stories of my loving practices and support for yours. Thanks for being here.

Photo by Harper Sunday on Unsplash

Hello loves!

Science says the nervous system recovers with rest. With less.

Some of us (like me!) need help with this, since doing MORE can actually be a stress response. We’re stressed and hurried and burnt out, and the momentum has us keeping that cycle spinning, living on adrenaline to see us through. Then, we “arrive” with our to-dos perhaps done but our bodies and minds feeling shittier than before. It is a vicious cycle I for one have been habitually repeating for the better part of a decade.

This year, I invite myself (and you!) to make a resolution that does not add but subtract.

I subtract:

• self-imposed deadlines

• any job other than my full-time one (besides my weekly yoga class - that stays!)

• the urge to add more to this list (see!)

I know helping my nervous system recover from perpetual burnout by doing less will help me do more in the long run. The way forward is sometimes counterintuitive.

What can you do less of this year?

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And a friendly PRACTICE reminder — There are at least FOUR different types of rest according to Dr. Joan Rosenberg:

1. Sleep

2. Meditation

3. Play

4. Mindless, rhythmic activities (think sewing, washing dishes)

I wish our whole human community lots of rest and creative ways to get there by doing even less.

All love,

Colby