Life Lessons in Patience

I’m feeling overwhelmed lately and I know that it’s self-inflicted. Meaning, I only have myself to blame. The fact that I’m writing this blog an hour before I normally publish these on Thursday mornings is a sign in itself. Normally I’m more prepared and organized, but lately I’ve been taking on too much. It’s almost a disease or disorder because I’m willingly signing up for or creating things that I don’t have time for. And I want all of those things done yesterday.

I’ve had several reminders recently from outside sources to be patient and to slow down. I met with a consultant that I’m considering hiring to help me make Wandering Roots a national brand, (more on that later). When I met him for coffee we talked about what I wanted now and in the future for my small business. We talked for an hour and several times he said something to the effect of having really good results for only being in business for a little over a year and that I probably didn’t need his services. And every time I started to tell him why he was wrong until I finally agreed that things take time. I admitted that I was impatient and I often fell victim to comparing myself to others and their businesses.

A second reminder came in the form of date night for my husband and I. I had just finished painting our cottage and wanted to talk about next steps because I want to finish what I have lovingly nicknamed “the money pit.” He fielded my questions for several minutes before saying “Don’t rush it Ann, you’ll suck all the fun out of it.” I paused, apologized, and admitted that he was right. This money pit is a massive project that we took on during our landscape companies busiest season. There’s a good chance it won’t be done before winter. Writing that down made me frustrated and disappointed. Part of me wants it to be done so that it’s off my to-do list and part of me wants it completed so that I can escape my busy routine and just sit by the lake with a cocktail.

There are several things wrong with that last point. I don’t have to have my to-do list completed before I can relax. I actually enjoy renovations. I love seeing big projections come together. I love pulling off the logistics of everything, and I love making spaces beautiful and inviting. I also love working with my hands. I spend most of my working hours at a computer and the change of scenery is always welcomed and cherished. Back to my husband being right. (I really hope he doesn’t read this.) I got to spend two days painting with just my mom. We got to catch up, laugh, have fun, and it reminded me how much we have in common. We both work really hard, and normally enjoy it, we’re both impatient, we both love reading (real books, not screens), we both have deep values even though they are wildly different, we both love those in our inner circle deeply, and we both would drop whatever we were doing to help someone that was suffering.

Slowing down is so hard for me. I’m not sure if it’s because I hate having things hanging over my head or because I always think that I’m “not enough” and need to fight that demon by constantly producing things. It’s probably a combination of the two but the “not enough” part makes me tear up when I type this.

Living my life in a constant state of exhaustion just to prove to myself that I am good enough is not how I want to spend my time. Completing one task only to move on to the other is a terrible way to live life. You’re never actually present to what is happening here, right now. I want to celebrate and be immersed in the incredible things that are happening in my life right now and these past few months it’s felt more like I’ve been watching it all happen instead of actively participating in it.

It’s a choice and I’m the only one that can make a change. Who’s with me?

My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.

I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things. Though we desire adventure and authentic experiences, naturally our fear holds us back.

My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.

Anna VanAgtmael | Yoga Enthusiast | Travel Designer