Patty Mayeux Blog

I’m crawling out from a mental hole after a disappointing and life-draining time of NOs; worldly stabs suggesting I am not worthy, not enough, not valued. Not true, my brain tells my heart. So, I’ll emerge from the doze and move on toward that which I feel called to do, even reengage with the world.

Years ago, some family conflict sent me to an imaginary island. Engagement was just too painful. I pictured a mound of sand with a single palm tree, surrounded by endless sea. Fresh fruit and water would sustain me as I read under the shade of the palm by day, resting in its branches by night. I yearned for isolation, even knowing I’d soon voluntarily return to human contact, all the itchy and irritating parts of it. 

We need a time of rest in order to reenergize for Go Time. Creatives must create in whatever way they can, during, through and especially after fallow time. I can’t survive on an imaginary single-palm island for long, so off I go into the real world, as tough and unforgiving as it may be. Renewed energy, even optimism will carry my through until the next low curve of the energy cycle. My island will be waiting for me to doze once again.

Read about Running with Mustangs on Wednesdays Substack post.