14 Comments

I really loved this line. "There’s something comforting in making an effort—probably because making an effort leads you to believe you’re in control of the outcome."

I can't wait to go to Target and find your book in the wild! ;) Hope you're enjoying some downtime.

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Ha! You said: "Real talk: is there anything better than receiving a gift that is so perfectly … you?" And I say that YOUR book is that perfect gift, the gift that came to me unexpectedly. I love your words and feel so seen as a creative.

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I'm going through this right now! After my last day of work two weeks ago, I really felt like I was free-falling and grabbing at any little task to give me some semblance of control/purpose when really what my burned out self needs is rest. 100 percent the hardest thing for me!

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Wait, you can already do Crow Pose?! I am so impressed!!? I have never ever been able to master that! Lol, but seriously, thank you for your words on leaning into rest and slowing down the hustle. I feel this in my own small ways, too. I'm already finding so much joy and rest in your book, and I'm only halfway through!

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I LOVED the last podcast episode so much, and was so inspired, hearing a piece of Katie’s story and where her love for photography came from! And I love all the links- so thank you!! 💗

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Apr 10, 2023Liked by Ashlee Gadd

Ah, the false control of movement 😏 I so related to that part of your essay!! Reminds me of a phrase I read...somewhere, “Control: my favorite illusion” 😂 Praying you can continue to rest in God as you move and work and rest this month 💕

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I have recently started loving yoga as part of my exercise routine and the quote you shared about how hard it is to 'do nothing' struck a chord with me. I am such a busy body, someone always moving, achieving, marking something off of my to do list. It is so hard for me to rest, to allow myself to do nothing. It feels like time wasted. I am discovering that part of the reason it is hard is that I measure my worthiness with what I accomplish, what gets done, when I have something to show for my effort. What if I learned to accept that rest is a gift I can give myself. A gift with no expectation, time to reflect, time to rest, time to not attach outcome and expectations to the work I do. I have significant work to do in this area of my life, but the awareness is helping me have the conversation in my head.

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I know I’m reading this late, but needed this today. Love you in all your hard work AND love you in your rest.

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Oh goodness, do I know the difficulty of doing nothing. Such a good reminder!

Also, haven’t started “Create Anyway” because I was literally in the middle of 8 other books when it arrived on my door step, but once I finish my current creativity-focused read, it’s next on my list, and you better believe I am SO psyched to dig in!

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Ashlee, your book is a masterpiece. I am savoring each chapter and loving all the creative exercises and journaling prompts. I even surprised myself by creating a spine poem with the books in my closet TBR pile in between bathtime and folding laundry - what a gift!!

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Doing nothing is harder than doing something... and all the enneagram 3s yell Amen! God is doing a work in me right now on that very topic.

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