14 Comments

I taught costume design and related subjects to college students for years. When I'd stand in front of a classroom, I'd always talk to them as if they were one person with whom I was sharing my beloved special interest, as I looked from student to student to find signs of engagement (and often finding them, hurrah). After class, or in studio classes, I would often find myself in intense, subject-driven conversations with students, which I also loved. Once I reached home, though, I'd be completely wrung out and would often have to lie down and either read or nap (or both). This still happens to me in my work as a freelance costume designer after heavy duty engaging with other people. Without the downtime, I can't perform the intense engagement with other people that's part of my work.

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This definitely resonates. And the larger the group, the more energy it requires. Maybe this is why I like making videos and podcasting. I get to chat with lots of people, but I’m only actually with 1 or 2 others at the time of recording.

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Lovely! Will you share your new fall routine? I’m inspired. Can’t wait for cool weather, sweaters, and baking apple things!

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I will! I can write about it in the next edition, since you’re interested.

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Yes please!

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I’d love to hear about your new fall routine as I often struggle to make my routine feel fresh. I’m in Australia so I’m looking forward to spring, new growth in the garden and all those lovely flowers 🌸

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I LOVE Diana Henry! "Plenty" is my all-time favorite.

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I really like what you have to say here about the need for rest, even after really valuing and enjoying the interactions. I'm bookmarking this one to come back and re-read when I need this reminder! Something that has been really helpful for me to understand this dynamic is to learn about the dopamine system and why I experience intense exhaustion after fun and stimulating experiences, like an art show opening or a convention or an art fair... I usually have a dopamine dip that is proportional to the excitement that I felt! But I'm still learning how to recognize when that's happening and trust that yes, I do recover and get my energy back. Thanks for your lovely writing here- I enjoy your newsletter so much!

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Have you read The Molecule of More? It’s about dopamine and it really changed my thinking after I read it.

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Oooh, "dopamine dip" is a great way to put it. I was diagnosed with ADHD this year, and have started paying attention to how dopamine fits into that picture. I'm somewhat extraverted and get a lot of energy from interacting with people, but I crash afterward and need a lot of downtime in general. For me, the crash feels more like I have overloaded my battery than like I depleted it.

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I enjoyed this. Reading your list of things you’re looking forward to inspired me. Right now I’m just transitioning from putting away the garden to end stuff but soon I will be done transitioning and start thinking like you.

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What is gong meditation?

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What is gong meditation? I take a class that occasionally uses a bell sound to signal when to breathe, and I find it distracting.

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I might find that distracting too. This was more of a “sound bath” sort of thing. He played several gongs for an hour, which produce a lovely, deep, resonant sound. I used the sound as a focal point of my meditation and it was quite interesting. Not something I’d do every day, but I like to try different things with meditation.

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