Metamorphosis Pause - Taking a break

Taking a break
The past five months have been an enjoyable journey of writing essays and shooting weekly videos about the pillars of well-being.
And now is a great time for a metamorphosis pause, a break from my routine.

It’s my muse again, knocking at my door. And it’s my psyche saying it’s time for a break, to evolve, and to let new creative energy begin to flow. I’m feeling the pull of a new chapter.

I think there are points along a creative journey where a healthy pause invites growth. I’ve been reflecting again on my questions of: Who am I? What else do I want to do with my creative life? These are hallmark questions of transformation.

I can’t help but think of the metamorphosis in a butterfly life cycle.
In nature, a caterpillar (larva) dissolves inside the cocoon (chrysalis). Its old structure breaks down into something unrecognizable – a kind of creative chaos – and then it reemerges as a butterfly. I’m entering the chrysalis again.

Florida Museum of Natural History 

My Metamorphosis Pause
So, I’m taking a metamorphosis pause, without production deadlines, to recharge, reflect, travel, listen, and see what wants to emerge next.

My gut usually tells me where the next path is leading me. I get butterflies in my stomach from the anticipation of another creative frontier on the horizon.
The feeling is similar to the excitement I had as a kid, knowing I will be receiving a new fishing rod, baseball glove, or bicycle.

I’m blessed I can do whatever I wish. Of all the things I value in the world, freedom is number one. I just gave myself permission to pause, to chill.
I freed myself for now from the compulsion to produce on a weekly basis.

A pause is part of the journey
A break is part of my journey, my passage. The Middle Passage.
In Jungian terms, this is the midlife individuation process.
It’s like Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, the story of the one who leaves the familiar world after giving and striving, goes inward to a supernatural realm for renewal, faces trials, is renewed, and returns home to share wisdom.

Season One of Well-Being Man has just ended. Season Two is percolating in the chrysalis. A metamorphosis has begun.
It’s kind of like a chapter has ended, or the semester is over. A new one will begin after a healthy break.

The plan for my metamorphosis
I plan to spend time on some deeper writing, reading, meditation, and yoga.
I will also reconnect with old friends and family, have fun, and continue being a student. I love being a student.
Metamorphosis can start with discomfort – the uneasy in-between where the old can’t continue, and the new hasn’t yet taken shape. Growth happens when things are uncomfortable.
I’m also looking forward to expanding on my Nine Pillars of Well-Being.

It's healthy to hit pause
Sometimes doing nothing is the best plan of action. Sit in silence, reimagine, listen, reorganize, realign, rejuvenate, recalibrate.
A pause is a time for novelty and nourishment. We need cycles of giving and retreating.
It’s healthy for us to have the courage to let go, to evolve instead of clinging, to break out of the cocoon.

Conclusion
I’m super excited about taking time to go inside of myself, to spend time with my muse.
She wants to wrestle with me again. It’s nice to be loved.
I look forward to being back in touch.

With gratitude,
Peter
The Well-Being Man