A beautiful balance
The other day I found myself thinking about solitude.
For a long time I had it as one of my values. Time to myself was really important. As an introvert, I could get pretty peopled out and would need space to recharge.
What I came to understand though, was that solitude could quite easily tip into loneliness. What I thought I needed wasn’t always what would actually leave me feeling topped up.
So that day, I checked in.
Body – energy was low, body was sore.
Heart – full, because I’d dipped in the sea that morning.
Soul – quite happy with a slower day, reading and cooking in the evening.
Mind – a bit ho hum and not finding it all that easy to slow down.
Spirit – happy, because of the connection with the other dippers that morning.
And it reminded me why solitude came off my values list a while back and community took its place.
Not because I suddenly didn’t need space. I do. I love time to myself. I love writing, reading, solo adventures, and yes, proudly fixing the washing machine by myself that day!
But I also love people.
I love playfulness and great conversation.
I love shared meals, laughter, those funnies that come up again and again, storytelling and that feeling of leaving such a gathering feeling connected, feeling a part of, warm fuzzies.
The inside-out check-in, above, can be such a beautiful way to uncover what is actually going on.
Sometimes the body needs rest. Sometimes the soul is happy to slow down. Other times it is the heart speaking up and sharing that she is feeling lonely or spirit is feeling disconnected, and what’s needed isn’t another quiet night in, but connection.
I think that’s one of the reasons I love creating spaces where people can gather.
Because yes, time alone matters. But so does community. So does sitting round a table with good food and good humans. So does having somewhere to go where you don’t need to be someone, you can just show up.
That’s exactly what The Long Table Dinner is about.
A chance to weave that golden thread of connection through our community again. To step away from the do-do-doing of life for an evening, share a meal, connect and reconnect, and also get that feeling of being part of something, belonging, togetherness.
There are only 8 spots left round the next table on 15th July, so if it sounds like something your heart could do with right now, you can book your place here: Long Table Dinner or you can pay a spot, at the table, forward here: Pay It Forward
Alongside, virtually or at the table,
Liz
PS. Another way I have been connecting is to start having guests back on my podcast. It was an absolute joy to connect with Franziska of Bumblebee Bakery last week. We talked the importance of connection when flying solo, sovereignty, dipping, sourdough and more! You can take a listen here…
