Accountability

Navigating and Understanding Self Prioritisation

I hope this edition finds you well and filled with positivity. It's been a few weeks since my last newsletter, and I want to express my sincere gratitude for your understanding and support during this time. As both a guide and participant in navigating a journey of personal growth and expanding upon my writing , I feel it's important to be open and honest about my own experiences, especially when it comes to accountability and self-prioritisation. Hence, this week I decided to write to you all about just that!

"You are allowed to be both a masterpiece,and a work in progress simultaneously." - Sophia Bush

Art by @ Kirsteen Titchener

In our fast-paced society, we often find ourselves juggling numerous responsibilities, commitments, and expectations. It's easy to get lost in the whirlwind of life, feeling the weight of others' expectations, and as a writer, that includes the desire to consistently provide valuable content for you, my readers. However, I've come to realise that true accountability begins with being responsible for our own well-being.

Taking a Step Back: A Time for Reflection

Over the past few weeks, I made a conscious decision to take a step back from the expectations of others, my own self-imposed expectations, and the distractions that came along with these. I removed myself from all social media and self-imposed pressure I placed on myself, and that included publishing the regular One Shall Whisper newsletter. It wasn't an easy choice, and I grappled with feelings of guilt, worried that I might be letting you all down. But I knew it was essential to listen to my own needs and prioritise my self-care. I reminded myself that I tell others it's okay to acknowledge that we need time to reset and refocus. By doing so, we allow ourselves the space to grow and return with renewed energy and creativity.

But I had not really practiced doing that often enough myself. I would take a few hours here and there, but overall, never would I take more than a day.

In a world where being busy seems to showcase our level of success, we often feel the pressure to keep pushing forward without giving ourselves a moment to breathe. We put expectations on ourselves and we feel them from others. These pressures can become overwhelming and cause us to become more concerned with letting others down, or caring about what they may think if we do take some time out to ourselves.

What I want you to know is that taking a pause from the busyness of life's daily distractions to reflect on our well-being is not selfish or unthoughtful to others; it is not a sign of weakness; it's an act of self-compassion.

Ensuring that we are in a positive and centered space is essential before taking on any tasks, and my time over the past weeks has allowed me to become centered again and feel like I am ready to continue with sharing my writing.

Embracing Unapologetic Self-Care

During my time away, I learned the importance of embracing unapologetic self-care. Society often pushes us to keep going, to meet endless demands, and to wear our busyness as a badge of honor. But what if we gave ourselves permission to pause and tend to our well-being without feeling ashamed?

Accountability should not be solely about fulfilling external expectations; it's about acknowledging our limits and nurturing ourselves so that we can be the best version of ourselves for both our friends, family or colleagues and ourselves. By making self-care a priority, we cultivate a stronger foundation for what it is we are doing. For me, that is creating content that truly resonates with you all , and makes a positive impact.

Taking care of ourselves is not a selfish act; it's an essential aspect of our journey toward personal growth. When we prioritise our well-being, we are better equipped to offer guidance and support to others. In essence, by taking care of ourselves, we are better able to take care of those around us.

Quality Over Quantity: Writing with Intention

I want to assure you that your support and readership are incredibly meaningful to me. Rather than rushing to produce content or newsletters and social media posts, I believe in the value of quality over quantity. I would rather present you with well-crafted articles that reflect my genuine passion and inspiration than simply churning out material for the sake of consistency.

As a writer, friend, and guide on this journey of personal growth and reflection, I feel a deep responsibility to share content that speaks to your hearts and minds.

Writing with intention means taking the time to reflect on what truly matters and crafting articles that are not only informative but also deeply impactful. By writing from a place of authenticity and including insights into my own experiences, I hope to inspire you to embrace your own journey of self-discovery and growth. Each article I send out is an opportunity for us to feel connected, learn from each other, and grow together.

This was confirmed during my time away when I received a message from a reader and friend, checking in to see if I was ok, as they had noticed my bi-weekly newsletter had stopped. They kindly let me know how they had missed receiving the new editions and hoped I would return soon. Another reader also reached out and provided me with their gratitude and own reflection about how a particular article deeply resonated with them. They expressed how the content helped them navigate a challenging phase in their life. I am truly honored.

Feedback is not only heartwarming but also a powerful reminder that taking time for self-care and remaining focused on my writing priorities can lead to articles that genuinely connect with and support our community .

As I mentioned earlier, writing goes beyond merely producing articles on a schedule; for me, it's about weaving pieces of my own journey into the words I share. I want my writing to become a tapestry of experiences, emotions, and insights that resonate deeply with each reader, nurturing their path of growth.

Embracing Accountability and Growth

Accountability goes hand in hand with growth. It's about recognizing when we need to press pause, allowing ourselves to recharge, and returning with a renewed sense of purpose.

This edition serves as a reminder that it's okay to put yourself first and prioritise self-wellness on your journey. As we navigate life's complexities, let us remember to be kind to ourselves and to honor our need for self-care. It's a continuous process of learning and growing, and sometimes that means taking a step back to find clarity and inspiration.

Thank you for your understanding and unwavering support.

With gratitude and warm wishes,

Rebecca

P.S. In the spirit of accountability and growth, I would love to hear your thoughts and reflections on this edition. Feel free to share your experiences with self-care and how you embrace accountability in your own life. Remember, your journey and words are valued, and your voice matters. Let's continue growing together!

About The Artwork

As my regular readers will know, I spend time selecting art that resonates with the meaning of the post, and this editions art is by Kirsteen Titchener, a self-taught photographic artist born in Surrey, now living in Devon, UK.

The piece I chose is ‘Honeysuckle’. Limited to an edition size of 25.

Kristeens work explores the fragility of the human psyche in the modern world.

By drawing on a background in psychology her work often reflects the depth and fragility of human emotions.Using digital editing techniques to combine multiple photographs allows the final image to go beyond what can be created in a single traditional photograph. Below, is the full length art.

You can visit Kristeen’s profile to view more of her and other artists at Artsper