Speeding Up, Slowing Down.

It is often something overlooked but life tends to roll through seasons, doesn't it? There are some months which dash through weeks like a toddler systematically pulling books tumbling from a low shelf into an infuriating heap, and others which dribble from day to dreary day in which every morning the most applaudible thing we can do is convince ourselves to get out of bed in the morning.

Some portions of our lives slow down or stop all together. Others explode with calendar appointments and an hectic array of to-dos.

It is safe to say, in this my now practically yearly website blog post, that this ebb and flow is at work in my day to daily living more-so than ever.

With the birth of Spare Parts Literary and my new position as Editor in Chief and sole curator, designer and promoter for the Magazine, I have felt the exhilerating rush of life hurtling past me.

The outpouring of incredible work and heartwarming support for this new venture has been astounding and has caused me a great sense of joy and purpose!

It seems hard for me to believe that the year is now entering its fourth quarter!

In this new flow however my own pursuit of publication has somewhat ebbed, a decelleration I have had an odd sense of peace over. My hours and days have consisted more of living than of writing, more of people than of pages, and I can only choose to believe that this is an indication of a vital well re-filling. If you follow my social media pages I am sure you will have noticed my nods to this over the Summer.

This shift in pace has been a blessing in multiple ways, serving to allow me space to grow in my Christian faith, embrace new communities and work more consciously on my own mental health and wellbeing.

I have come to be of the opinion that while a dilligent work ethic is something to be praised and encouraged, it is imperrative that the needs of the artist be attended to and prioritized. I have become a great fan of the weathered vulnerability of Matt Haig's social media posts, and thoroughly encourage anyone, artist or otherwise, to add him into your feeds. We need to remember that what ever we allow into our news feeds, feeds us, whether good or bad - it goes in.

I suppose that this new, considered approach to productivity has given me breathing room to create at a new pace and with a lighter perspective. My new collection, Overflow, was written almost exclusively in my truck, in the hour before the work day, and it was the calmest I have ever felt when putting together a body of work, especially under a deadline.

Even through the busy acceleration of life and obligations, by prayer and re-addressing attitudes to personal and professional pursuits, I have felt able to slow down, to stop the world spinning too fast for me to catch up. And I have prospered.

The world is speeding up around us, and it is overwhelmingly easy to get swept under the waves of it all. So slow down when you are able. Take breaks. Be gentle. I truly believe there is only gain to be had in slowing down.

Take good care, dear readers.

Oak x