July on the Fly: FOMO No Mo’!

Jackie Malka Ryan
Jul 30, 2017 · 3 min read

Last month, I proposed that we all choose an area in our life we would like to improve and dedicate 15 minutes a day to moving in the direction of the desired result. The process was phenomenal. (Go to http://tinyurl.com/y8t8erx9 if you want the scoop!) I chose to work on becoming financially literate and getting set up for success. It worked so well that my new challenge became how to balance out all this new exciting work that showed up with all the fun events that come along with summer.

I noticed during the June challenge that I was wasting a lot of time getting trapped in the Facebook newsfeed. It had been happening for awhile, but there was something about naming my goal and working towards it daily that helped me to see all the frivolous ways I was throwing away my time an energy. I deleted the Facebook app off my phone as a natural side effect of being more goal-oriented and instantly felt relieved. Aside from the expected time and presence I now have, one other result really surprised me: I stopped being bombarded by invitations to Facebook events. Springtime was booming with them, as the number of invitations seemed to be rising with the temperature.

Overwhelmed with the desire to attend too many things at the same time, I realized that I was wasting my mental capacity making scheduling decisions. It just wasn’t in line with this new goal oriented me. Getting off the Facebook app helped A LOT, but temptations to be steered off course were everywhere. Last minute invitations always caused me to second-guess myself and I got caught up in comparing myself to my peers. I felt pulled between my own needs and the truth that taking care of myself meant missing out on some summer adventures. After all, the arrival of summer didn’t suddenly change my dreams and goals into backyard barbecues and music festivals. I started wondering, where am I in all of this?

As July soared by, I practiced walking on my own path and letting go of that which was not me. I started saying no a lot. In the beginning I struggled, but my body was begging me to stay home on the rare occasions I had the luxury to do so. And the more I listened to my body’s core desires, the more I started seeking out things that truly interest me. The simpler I made my schedule, the clearer my vision became. I then had the mental space to notice what I actually craved as well as the time for creation and exploration. I also worked whenever I skipped out on an adventure that didn’t call my name, which helped me save for the adventures that do. And when the clear call to my consciousness was delivered through a middle of the night lightning storm, that Burning Man is my summer adventure, I was able to hear my heart sing YES. And as it gets closer, the no’s to the things I’m not that excited about get easier to stand by. And my work feels more important. And writing this blog on a Saturday night feels more exciting than any other possibility, because I am walking my own walk, dancing my own dance, singing the song of my own life’s purpose.

And as summer continues, I encourage you to stay still, be quiet. Let go of all the invitations and expectations and see what true desires arise from the silence within.

Thank you for being a uniquely spectacular expression of life.

XO, Jackie

“Ocean Breeze” 15x45in Oil, Acrylic and Ink of Canvas. One of the results that emerged from my time at home.

Jackie Malka Ryan

Written by

Artist & Coach at https://visionfaerie.art

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